ir3333
Well-Known Member
can you mix Dot 4 and Dot 3?
Correct, the silicone type will not absorb there for on low spots in the brake lines water may collect and corrode. Both have advantages and disadvantages one is not really better than the other.However in a race car silicone is not ideal because it is more compressible, which translates to the pedal feeling less firm and possibly more 'mushy'.
The glycol brake fluids are actually intended to absorb moisture. The idea is the if regular maintenance is performed then the flushing of the fluid will remove the condensed moisture from the system. The typical problem crops up because that maintenance isn't so regular. I know better and I still don't do it as often as I should.
I don't notice a spongy pedal in any of my cars. There is slight "lost motion", but that is normal (pads & shoes must move to contact). Racers use glycol because it has a slightly higher boiling point when new and pristine. They probably flush it before every race, plus rebuild the engine and tranny, etc. The main reason silicone is hard to find is because it is not recommended for ABS systems, which are everywhere today. I don't know if there are known problems or it was just never tested and qualified (i.e. accountants & lawyers input).
This part gives me the most trouble. I just can't seem to get guys to understand this. It's not rocket surgery, yet they insist on using up the dusty partly empty bottle that's been sitting on the shelf for who knows how long.... The most important thing is that you use fluid only from a new, sealed container.
I don't notice a spongy pedal in any of my cars. There is slight "lost motion", but that is normal (pads & shoes must move to contact). Racers use glycol because it has a slightly higher boiling point when new and pristine. They probably flush it before every race, plus rebuild the engine and tranny, etc. The main reason silicone is hard to find is because it is not recommended for ABS systems, which are everywhere today. I don't know if there are known problems or it was just never tested and qualified (i.e. accountants & lawyers input).