Preparing the car for a upcoming track day I went to the local Ford dealer to purchase the HD/ Hi-performance brake fluid that is so popular. The only brake fluid the parts counterperson spoke of is the dot 3 hi performance in the white plastic pint size container. Is this the correct fluid? On the label the dry BP is 500deg and the wet is the usual dot 3. Just wondering if this is the correct fluid before I bleed the brake system? I did a search and no real recent info came up. Thanks for any info.

 

If it says "High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid" or something similar on the front, it's the same stuff.

That's what is in my Spec Miata - bought it three weeks ago at my local stealership.

Jarrod

 

I use that stuff in my ITA crx

 

According to the most recent compilation of brake fluid boiling points, Ford heavy duty brake fluid should have a dry boiling point of 550 degrees F. Sounds like what you were looking at was not the Ford HD stuff.

FWIW, I use Motul (593 degrees)...

 

Is it possible that the info on the Ford fluid is incorrect? 500deg seems pretty high to me for a track day/hpde event. The fluid I bought was roughly $3.25 a bottle. Does anyone know what the 550deg fluid bottle looks like and if there are specs of the dry bp and wet bp on the bottle? Thanks guys. Hopefully this will help others with this type of confusion.

 

The proper Ford sauce is now designated as PA-1. It specs at dry boiling point 550*F and wet boiling 290*F. I use it in the Golf, including for the long enduros and have never had any problems.

K

 

or you could skip the confusing stuff and buy some Valvoline Synpower fluid from any parts store. Almost as high dry bp, much higher wet bp, and about the same price

 

Ive heard that the synpower was quite a bit easier to boil. Just wanna be safe. TIA

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cory man &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ive heard that the synpower was quite a bit easier to boil. Just wanna be safe. TIA</TD></TR></TABLE>

I run it in my Civic and haven't boiled it yet.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cory man &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is it possible that the info on the Ford fluid is incorrect? 500deg seems pretty high to me for a track day/hpde event. The fluid I bought was roughly $3.25 a bottle. </TD></TR></TABLE>

thats what makes it the racers secret.

when used on a race car, the brakes get bled often enough that it doesnt get a chance to be wet. comes in a small bottle, so nothing left in the bottle to get saturated and as youve discovered, ITS CHEAP.

only thing is you gotta go to a ford dealership to buy it.

 

then why do so many pro teams use Castrol SRF? The only real benefit to that fluid is the wet boiling point

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">when used on a race car, the brakes get bled often enough that it doesnt get a chance to be wet.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I must have missed the memo. I flush once a year, Motul 600.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Evan55 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">then why do so many pro teams use Castrol SRF? The only real benefit to that fluid is the wet boiling point</TD></TR></TABLE>

Because its the best?

SRF does not absorb moisture as fast as other fluids - not sure if its a factor or how often they flush their fluid but it could be another reason.

 

dont take it out of context rj. ford hd provides excellent results for the price. its not claiming to be the best and suitable for professional race teams.

you should flush your fluid more often.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I must have missed the memo. I flush once a year, Motul 600.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Haha, really?

Don't think that will work for very long.

I had a problem boiling the Synpower in my CRX. I switched to the Super Blue, and it's working great so far!

 

i use the Ate stuff to, never have a problem with it. Then again im WAYY easy on the brakes and in a light little car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Because its the best?

SRF does not absorb moisture as fast as other fluids - not sure if its a factor or how often they flush their fluid but it could be another reason.</TD></TR></TABLE>
rj = reading ownz j00

that was a response to tysons "brake fluid doesnt get wet" comment.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Evan55 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
rj = reading ownz j00</TD></TR></TABLE>



So how long does the fluid have to be in the car for it to start to get "wet" ?

When you open the bottle? 24 hrs? 24 months?

 

not a direct answer. may not even be relevant. but your castrol SRF has a service life of only "18 months MAX".
http://www.castrol.com/liveass...c.pdf

 

Well if you are running a pro race team, then you would likely use the best available fluid that you can get your hands on, regardless of whether you might be able to get by on something with a lower boiling point.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well if you are running a pro race team, then you would likely use the best available fluid that you can get your hands on, regardless of whether you might be able to get by on something with a lower boiling point.</TD></TR></TABLE>

no arguement there.

is that relevant to the OP?

i blame evan for diverting the thread....

 

blame canada!

 

The did change the part number and the labels about 2 months ago. I think the wet boiling point is a bit lower now.

But it should be 550 degrees dry. Ford Motorcraft High Performance DOT 3. About $4 a bottle. I bought a six pack today for this weekend.

Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air pretty quickly, and there is a big difference between 550 and the &lt; 300 boiling point when wet.

I try to keep virgin, dry fluid at the calipers whenever possible--if the fluid has gotten hot, I bled the brakes, certainly after every event. It is cheap, easy insurance against fade due to boiling fluid.

 

The Dot 4 Focus is what I used in the crapper.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rotten &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The did change the part number and the labels about 2 months ago. I think the wet boiling point is a bit lower now.

But it should be 550 degrees dry. Ford Motorcraft High Performance DOT 3. About $4 a bottle. I bought a six pack today for this weekend.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Is the bottle white/red with a black cap and says Ford High Performance DOT 3??

 

I don't have the links, but I read on a thread the other day that Ford has discontinued the 550degree fluid and the 500degree fluid is all that will be produced. There is only back stock left of the 550degree fluid.

-Tom