Brake Fluid Cocktail

[Frank K.]

Noticed DOT 3 brake fluid with a small (silicone label) Can that be mixed with regular DOT 3 fluid when topping off? Does the silicone fluid attack the old GM Caliper seals?

[Michael W.]

Re: Brake Fluid Cocktail

Noticed DOT 3 brake fluid with a small (silicone label)

You sure? Never heard of DOT 3 silicone brake fluid and cannot find any reference to it.

[Frank K.]

Re: Brake Fluid Cocktail

Here is the mfg Wearever, premium synthetic, for abs disc,and drum brake systems. Dot 3 Brake fluid

[Michael W.]

Re: Brake Fluid Cocktail

synthetic,

Ah- 'synthetic'. All brake fluid is synthetic, irrespective of DOT standard or whether it's silicone.

[Edward B.]

Re: Brake Fluid Cocktail

Frank, synthetic is not silicone. As a matter of fact, ALL brake fluid is synthetic, so any dot 3 can be mixed with any other dot 3. Adding the word "Synthetic" to the packaging is just a marketing ploy.

However, you CAN'T mix dot 3 with silicone.

Edit: Mike beat me to it!!

Ed

[Frank K.]

Re: Brake Fluid Cocktail

The reason I was concern was the napa brand mentions nothing about synthetic on any the containers I have which are not that old! (three years) Thanks for all the info you are never to old to learn!

[Edward B.]

Re: Brake Fluid Cocktail

Noticed DOT 3 brake fluid with a small (silicone label) Can that be mixed with regular DOT 3 fluid when topping off? Does the silicone fluid attack the old GM Caliper seals?

Does the small label state "silicone" or "synthetic?"

[Frank K.]

Re: Brake Fluid Cocktail

It is a large label and it does say synthetic but do they make silicone in dot 3?

[Edward B.]

Re: Brake Fluid Cocktail

No, silicone is Dot 5.

Ed

[John L.]

Re: Brake Fluid Cocktail

And to make it more confusing there is a DOT 5.1 non silicone ...

[John D.]

Re: Brake Fluid Cocktail

SAE paper 810804 says DOT 3 and DOT 5 can be mixed with no adverse affect on brake performance or elastomers. I wouldn't rush out and do it though..

[Bill S.]