What brake fluid?

[toneinblack]

I'm going to bleed the brakes tomorrow and put in new fluid, Is it dot 3 or dot 4 or dot 5 ?
many thanks,
car is normal 2 litre dhc.

[john 215]

Hi,

I always use DOT 4, if its good enough for 500bhp plus M Powered cars I work on, then its good enough for my car's ! Plus its cheaper

Do you know whats already in there ? DOT 5 is a different colour to the others.

Cheers John

[toneinblack]

thanks for the reply john 215,
I have no idea whats in it already. might stick my finger in the reservoir in the morning and see what colour it is.

[saabfast]

DOT 5 is silicone and should not be mixed with 'normal' fluids. A system with 'normal' fluid needs flushing through and often seals changed before changing to DOT 5. I think it is a purple colour but have never used it myself. DOT 4 or 5.1 is fine for normal use, generally a light golden colour.

[FI Spyder]

Specs call for DOT 3 but you can use higher. If you are boiling your brake fluid you aren't driving it right.

[toneinblack]

Thanks for the replies gents ,car hasn't been driven in over a year and has been on sorn in garage. Hopefully mot it soon (unless it snows here in London ) and apologies for no paragraphs as Samsung tablet won't let me drop down a line and will just post what I have typed so far