Ok then I'll probably get the Valvoline Syn Power. Thanks.

 

dot 3 is heavy duty use
dot4 for a lil higher temp/boiling point
dot5 has the highest boiling point, but is silicone based like already mentioned above.

its not like you should avoid dot 5 in your rx8 at all costs...only if you convert your brake system to conventional braking system like getting rid of the abs system.
in the case you're gonna race your car for example.

one major benefit of dot5 is that it replenishes your seals. and can cure a sinking pedal from blown/worn master cylinder piston seals. along with the higher boiling point...however, due to its foaming nature, it is NOT recommended in any type of ABS equipped vehicle as it can lock the system.
also, dot5 is not hygroscopic...did i get the right word? it doesn't like water. so no water contamination can occur with dot5 silicone fluid...meaning it won't get soiled by atmosphere moisture lowering your boiling point over time. with this nature, it has exceptional shelf life.

the flaw with dot3 dot4 is simply that it cannot compete with dot5...the only way it wins is being compatible in ABS systems. thats about it. of course they can re-engineer the fluid to withstand higher temps...but its not naturally a lubricant like the silicone dot5 is.

breakdown of the two: dot 3/4 glycol based
dot 5 silicone based (usually purple in color)
the difference in compound separates the application of the two.

and someone asked what D.O.T. means?
department of transportation

 

i woulda used dot5 in the clutch system HAD they separated the reservoir...

 

stop confusing people ~~~~ you know there are n00bs out there they can only read the *higher temp* and *last longer* part, but for some reason their eyes will skip the *does not work with abs* and *will lock up* part.

Just tell them.

D.O.T. 3 / 4, or NOTHING !!!!!!

simple.

 

I'm a beginner but I did my homework and read that DOT 5 can make the brake pedal feel mushy because it's so hard to get all the air out when installing.

Plus can't be used with ABS.

So I wasn't thrown off at all by the suggestion but a lot of people would be.

 

Castrol LMA is good.

 

actually, I suspect Einstein confused "synthetic" with "silicone"

 

Went to auto parts store and Walmart and both places have Prestone Dot 3/4. Autozone also had Valvoline Syn Power Dot 3/4. The dry and wet boiling points seem the same for both products. Could Prestone actually be made by Valvoline? Or maybe Prestone and Valvoline use the same manufacturer? Are they the exact same product?

Ah who cares. I'll get the Valvoline Syn Power just to be safe. Many forums online call it the best bang for the buck.

 

^^ well...it is.
i buy that just to swap fluid out of my wives TL on a yearly bases. and mix with some ate superblue...but just a lil, cuz you know....its good ****.

yeah, sorry nyc. i'll stop confusing people. its just what i learned in autoshop. thought it might be useful. it was for me saving the master cylinder seal when i had a sinking pedal...but then again, i tossed out the abs unit and raced my prelude, therefore being able to use dot5.
wait...ok,ok. i'll stop.

 

suggestion for "other cars" (meaning no abs): my procedure for flushing my base miata with no abs was to use denatured alcohol and flush the lines. then use dot5
but even if you just flush with dot5 into the system, the rest of dot3/4 will just surface and separate from the dot5 as they are not compatible.

see for yourself. get dot5, and put water in it. then shake it.
you'll see it bubble...kinda like a lava lamp. and then the heavier dot5 will sink to the bottom again the next few minutes.

 

Sorry, I was not informed

 

I only meant VIP's!