Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 15:04:44 GMT From: edselnetnopsamrnet.ab.ca (Michael Brusselers) Subject: Re: silicon brake fluid
On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 02:34:09 GMT, joenopsamoresource.com (Joe Way) wrote: I'd like to add my two cents worth: While I have been using Dot 5 brake fluid in all of my vehicle for several years I still can't conclusively say that it is better or worse. I am considered hard on my vehicles and I have yet to have a problem with Dot 5, on the other hand I never had a problem with using Dot 3 or Dot 4 in the appropriate applications. I have never had a brakelight switch problem with european or japanese cars with Dot 5 but I did have problems with and Edsel's brakelight switch. After investigating the problem further it turns out that many '50's and 60's Fords are prone to problems after you switch to Dot 5. The problem does not occur when you replace the switch at the time you change to Dot 5. On old Fords this is a $5.00 part. The mistaken assumption with Dot 5 fluid is that once in place you can forget about it. Bleeding your breaks periodically makes sense no matter what you use. I bought quite a bit of Dot 5 fluid and I will use it up in any case, if I buy it again will depend on how much I like using the rest of it up. So far I have been happy with how well it's worked with vehicles that I park for longer periods of time. If you buy Dot 5 at regular retail in small quantities it is definitely not worth the money. Though when buying larger quantities it is handy to know that Dot 5 has an infinitely longer shelf life than Dot 3/Dot4 fluids. mpb