Which best DOT 4 brake fluid to choose? Many drivers ask this question. You’ll find the answers in our article, and we’ll also put together a rating of Dot 4 brake fluids so you can find the best one.
A well-functioning braking system is one of the most important factors in driving safety. We can maintain their proper function by ourselves, not only by regularly visiting the car repair shop, but most importantly by regularly checking the level of brake fluid. When correcting flaws, it’s good to have the best DOT 4 brake fluid.
What types of brake fluid are available?
When choosing a liquid, you must first pay attention to its type (class). This will allow you to choose the optimal brake fluid for the brand, type and model of our car. This is a very important issue as it ensures the reliability of the braking system.
The main types of brake fluids available on the market are distinguished primarily by their boiling points:
- DOT 3 – Usually its base is a glycol ether, and its boiling point reaches 205 ° C.
- Dot 4 Brake Fluid – In addition to glycol ether, it contains a mixture of borate esters, making it physically superior to DOT 3 brake fluid, including a boiling point of 230 degrees Celsius. When using this liquid, it is worth remembering that it has a higher and more stable boiling point during the initial stages of using the product. In a situation where water absorption begins, the boiling point of DOT 4 fluid will usually drop faster than DOT 3 fluid. If you are looking for the best Dot 4 brake fluid, choose a product from the higher price range.
- Dot 5.1 brake fluid is nothing more than a DOT 4 fluid that meets the requirements of DOT 5 fluids, for which silicone is used to obtain optimal viscosity and boiling point. Along with technical progress, it turned out that the same characteristics can be obtained using borate ethers. For brake fluids 5.1 the boiling point is 260 degrees Celsius.
- Brake fluid R3 – used in older types of cars equipped with disc and drum brakes. When choosing this type of product, you must choose an R3 fluid that can be mixed with DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids.
95% of the global market is based on ethers and glycol derivatives, so when looking for automotive fluids for BMW, VW, Audi, Peugeot, Opel, Ford or Toyota, we usually choose DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 fluids. It is worth remembering that mineral brake fluid also exists. They are mainly used for Rolls Royce or Citroen.
What to look for when choosing a brake fluid?
Which brake fluid is best? Let’s move on to the answer to this question. It is not only the type of brake fluid that matters, but also its physical parameters, which determine its quality and the correct effect on the brake system.
Consider the following when choosing the right fluid:
- Solvent Concentration – A good quality liquid will contain 70-80% solvent. Its role is played by alkyl ethers of alkyl glycols, which are highly hygroscopic, that is, water-absorbing properties. It should be borne in mind that water is a substance that has a negative effect on the braking system.
- Grease concentration – in a good quality fluid we will find about 20-25% of the lubricant. Usually these are polyethylene, propylene glycols or borate esters of alkylene glycol alkyl ethers.
- The concentration of inhibitors is usually a few percent. Inhibitors are a group of additives that are designed to improve the properties of a fluid. They provide protection against corrosion and fluid oxidation.
- Optimal Kinetic Viscosity – affects how high the resistance of the brake fluid flow in the hydraulic system of the vehicle will be. Both too high and too low kinetic viscosity of the fluid are not favorable. The former increases the resistance to flow excessively, while the latter decreases it excessively, which can lead to leaks.
- Thermal stability – in this case one rule applies: the higher the boiling point of the liquid, the better. Thus, even the increased operating temperature of the car and the braking system, which occurs when we frequently and strongly brake, go downhill, drive on a winding road or drive with a heavy load, does not adversely affect driving safety and braking distance. Poor quality brake fluid can lead to improper vehicle behavior on the road.
- Hygroscopicity – as already mentioned, water is a substance that can cause great damage to the brake system, as it negatively affects the boiling point, lowering it. As a result, a vapor lock may form. For these reasons, an important parameter of brake fluid is its ability to dissolve water molecules in the brake system. This question is especially important in winter. During this time, freezing ambient temperatures can cause the water to turn into ice. This can result in a complete loss of stopping power. Therefore, avoid choosing liquids with a high water content.
The consequence of buying low-boiling brake fluid is that you do not resist the brake pedal when you press it, or that the pedal responds with delay.
An even more dangerous situation is the complete absence of pedal response to pressing. When the brake system operates at a temperature of 150-300 ° C, and the boiling point of the brake fluid is below these values, the entire system can become “air”.
The consequences of this phenomenon can be very dangerous as they lead to a complete loss of stopping power. Therefore, it is worth choosing brake fluids that have a high boiling point. As a rule, it is assumed that the minimum boiling point of the brake fluid should not be below 180 ° C.
Best DOT 4 Brake Fluid For Motorcycles & Cars
- Motul DOT 4 Brake Fluid
- Valvoline DOT 4 Brake Fluid
- Brembo Premium DOT 4 Brake Fluid
- ATE DOT 4 Brake Fluid
- Bosch DOT 4 Brake Fluid
Motul DOT 4
This non-silicone synthetic fluid is designed for hydraulic brakes and clutch systems. It has extreme thermal resistance and stability, and a very high boiling point (312 degrees Celsius). It has no expiration date.
This fluid greatly improves pedal feel. This superior alternative to conventional brake fluid offers the best price / performance ratio for all vehicle types. It contributes to better protection against water ingress and increases productivity. It is one of the best dot 4 brake fluids on the market for the price.
The bottle shape can be awkward and can lead to leakage. Plus, it is more expensive than some of the competing brands and you will have to change this fluid more often due to its performance characteristics.
Valvoline DOT 4
Brake fluid from a reputable manufacturer ranks 2nd in our ranking of DOT 4 brake fluids. This 1000 ml hydraulic brake fluid is designed for ABS, drum and disc brake systems that require DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid. It is a versatile product that can It is easy to combine with common fluids and it has a high boiling point of 250 degrees Celsius, which minimizes evaporation and brake failure.
This fluid combines premium glycols and glycol ethers for corrosion protection. It is a low moisture formula, so it has excellent protection against vapor lock.
There are not many cons associated with this product. However, this may not be good if you are using fluid on tracked vehicles or if you brake hard and hard.
Brembo Premium DOT 4
This brake fluid has a very low viscosity and is recommended for vehicles equipped with modern electronic braking control systems and various functions such as anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, traction control and electronic brake force distribution. Brembo premium brake fluids have higher boiling points and a lower viscosity to protect against vapor lock. This product perfectly complements the rating of brake fluids for foreign cars.
Brembo specializes in the production of braking systems for high performance vehicles and motorcycles, which is why its products are highly regarded in the industry. Overall, this is a good quality brake fluid and a low viscosity should improve ABS performance and cold weather stability. Your brakes may be slightly more aggressive after using this fluid. However, it may not be suitable for some vehicles, so make sure the product is compatible with your make and model.
ATE DOT 4
Brake fluid DOT 4, which is better? Pay attention to ATE. ATE is a world renowned manufacturer of automotive fluids, lubricants and oils.
The product is designed with outstanding water-locking ability. This means it is designed to prevent water from seeping through porous brake hoses and diluting the fluid. When you buy you get a liter of liquid, and the price is less than $ 20, which is just a wonderful value for such a high-performance product.
Bosch DOT 4
The last place in our top brake fluids is a quality product from the great manufacturer – Bosch.
Starting at $ 7, you get a brake fluid that has excellent lubricating properties, surpasses all DOT standards and can be used with DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1. The quality allows a combination of a high wet boiling point and low viscosity at the same time.
Which DOT 4 brake fluid is best?
A high-quality brake fluid should have the following properties:
- Does not foam
- Does not have a destructive effect on rubber and metal parts of the system
- Works with modern ABS, ASR and ESP systems and other electronic systems that are responsible for traction control and driving assistance
- Has a low low evaporation rate, which means that it wears out slowly and shows very good properties, even if you use the braking system intensively.
