DOT 5 should not be EVER mixed with other fluids, in fact to change over to
DOT 5, which I have done successfully many times, requires the replacement
of all rubber parts in the system with new parts, and a careful flushing out
of all traces of the previous alcohol based fluids (and any water they will
have absorbed).
The frequency of flushing your system, if you are using alcohol based
fluids, depends on your ambient temperature and humidity conditions. For
those of us lucky enough to live in the dry southwest, I don't think it is
necessary more often than once every 5 years, or even more. For those of us
on the east coast, or in Mississippi for instance, I think once a week may
not be enough! Seriously, once every two years should be enough, but
inspect the fluid that comes out, and if it isn't water clear and free of
any debris, you are not flushing often enough.
I don't know of any reason why disk brakes would be any different than drum
brakes in this regard.
Dick Benjamin
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark McDonald" <tomswift@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 7:26 PM
Subject: IML: brake fluid & DOT rating
> Okay, here's another one that will likely get 20 different answers, all
> contradictory.
>
> For the first time I'm starting to wonder about DOT ratings and what I
> should put in my Chryslers. I hate to admit to such ignorance, but it
> never really concerned me before.
>
> I was reading an article which stated that DOT 5 should not be used in
> an old car. Correct? (DOT 5 is silicone brake fluid, right?) More
> important, you CANNOT mix DOT 4 and DOT 5 because they are not
> compatible, will attack each other, and the seals. Yes? No?
>
> However, DOT 3 and 4 are okay for old cars and CAN be mixed.
>
> DOT 2 is strictly for older systems-- drum only-- and should probably
> be thrown out. Right?
>
> How often should people change the brake fluid in their, say, 1968
> Imperial???
>
> Thanks in advance y'all
> MM
>
>
>
Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network