Types of brake fluids-Baja Teach

Without choosing proper brake fluid for Baja Vehicle drivers may face problems during braking.

How much brakes department is important we all know, without clearing brake test Baja vehicle is not eligible to participate in any dynamic events?

What is brake fluid?                                         

Brake fluid is a type of incompressible fluid used in the hydraulic braking system in the automobile industry. It is used to transfer force from brake pedal to the caliper and to amplify braking force.

Brake fluid is decided on the following characteristics

1.    Viscosity

2.    Compressibility

3.    Boiling point ( Dry and Wet)

4.    corrosion

Brake fluid is crucial to the braking system and must carry out its duty under exacting conditions. According to the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), the brake fluid must pass through four standard tests:

1.    Do not solidify at low temperatures.

2.    Do not evaporate and boil at high temperatures.

3.    Easily cooperate with the brake system and other brake fluids.

4.    Do not corrode components of the brake system.

After brake fluid testing, all brake fluids named with DOT prefix (Department of Transportation), and a number represents the boiling point more is the number means more is the boiling point. Most of the Baja vehicles use the hygroscopic DOT 3 or 4 means they absorb moisture out of the air.

There are many different types of brake fluid: DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT5 and few subcategories. Typically, the higher the number, the higher the boiling point.

DOT 3

DOT 3 brake fluids are glycol-based and available in clear, red, transparent, yellow, and blue colors. These have the lowest dry and wet boiling points.

Dry Boiling Point: 205 Degree Celsius.

Wet Boiling Point: 140 Degree Celsius.

DOT 3 is hygroscopic therefore it needs replacement to preserve effectiveness.

DOT 4

Most of the Baja vehicles use DOT 4 brake fluid. Is depends on the heat flux calculation of disc. DOT 4 also a glycol-based fluid and possess a higher wet and dry boiling point. And Cost of DOT 4 is twice than DOT 3. They function better than DOT 3 brake fluids in their early life, but their boiling point ends up dropping rapidly in later stages.

Dry Boiling Point: 230 Degree Celsius.

Wet Boiling Point: 155 Degree Celsius.

Note: Do not mix DOT 3 in DOT 4 because of the performance of DOT 4 decreases. You can mix DOT 4 in DOT 3 to increase the performance of DOT 3.

DOT 5

DOT 5 brake fluids are silicone-based and hydrophobic means they do not absorb water. If any water droplets that enter corrodes the system quickly and add to freezing and boiling at unfavorable temperature. And the costs of DOT 5 are the same as DOT 4 brake fluid. It has a high boiling point and does not function well in some brake systems since it becomes foamy and produces air bubbles that result in a spongy brake feeling.

Dry Boiling Point: 260 degrees Celsius.

Wet Boiling Point: 180 degrees Celsius.

Because of their different properties, DOT 5 brake fluids are not compatible with DOT 4 and DOT 3. It is made for vehicles that sit in storage for a long period, such as a military car, and can perform immediately when required. They have a higher boiling point and anti-corrosion properties but vehicle manufacturers avoid the silicone-based brake fluid due to its low air and lack of water solubility.

DOT 5.1

DOT 5.1 has a similar boiling point to DOT 4 racing fluids, a glycol-base, and a color scheme that starts from light amber to translucent. DOT 5.1 is usually the same as DOT 4 brake fluid, based on chemical properties that can meet DOT 5 regulations.

Dry Boiling Point: 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wet Boiling Point: 356 degrees Fahrenheit.

DOT 5.1 brake fluid is also glycol-based therefore is compatible with DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids. But DOT 5.1 brake fluid is more expensive about 14 times of DOT 4 brake fluid price.

DOT 2

Not widely used in the automotive industry, DOT 2 brake fluid is mineral oil-based and has low wet and dry boiling points. Its dry boiling point is the same as the wet boiling point of DOT 5 and DOT 5.1 brake fluids.

Dry Boiling Point: 374 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wet Boiling Point: 284 degrees Fahrenheit.

Which Brake Fluid Should You Choose?

According to the calculation of heat developed on brake disc decide the brake fluid between DOT 3 and DOT 4.

But I suggest teams go with DOT 3 brake fluid because the temperature of the brake disc and brake pads does not exceed the boiling point of DOT 3, and also cheap and easily available in the market. 

Note: Always handle brake fluids with care because it is highly reactive with paints and other coatings when it spills. And it is also harmful should avoid the contact of skin and eyes.

Thank you