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Best Brake Fluid Reviews & Comparisons

Brake fluid is basically a hydraulic fluid, which is normally used in the braking system of automobiles. It works by transferring braking force into pressure, and by amplifying the braking force. This ability stems from the fact that liquids are not considerably compressible. Brake fluid forms a significant part of every car’s braking system.

Whenever you press your car’s brake pedal, the force created is transferred by the brake fluid from the brake pedal to the wheel hub. Besides braking, the best brake fluid lubricates movable parts of the braking system, thus preventing corrosion. This explains why the fluid should be harmonious with hoses and rubber seals. This ensures that the entire braking system can withstand optimal performance and long service. This is one of the best brake fluid reviews, which can help you pick the most suitable product.

**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews and comparisons, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

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Factors To Consider When Purchasing Brake Fluid

Factors To Consider When Purchasing Brake Fluid

The infiltration of the automotive fluid market by cheap low-quality products makes it necessary for car owners to choose products that guarantee top performance. There are a number of factors, which need to be given in-depth consideration when you go out to buy brake fluid for your car. These include brake life and DOT rating, price value, safety, and frequency of fluid change.

DOT Rating And Brake Life

It is obvious that certain fluids are longer-lasting than others. Fluids whose temperature threshold is low often cause more wear and tear on the braking system within a short time. In this regard, you should put into consideration your driving habits when purchasing brake fluid. If you live in an urban area, where you probably drive at moderate or slow speeds, a DOT 3 brake fluid can work perfectly for you. Those who frequently go out of town or drive regularly on highways, and race car drivers, need braking fluid whose DOT rating is at least 4. The longevity of the brakes is greatly determined by the quality of brake fluid used. A higher DOT number means better quality, longer life and consequently, a higher value. Such fluids can similarly withstand higher temperatures.

Safety

Failure to change your brake fluid regularly greatly affects the longevity of your car’s braking system. This also puts you in danger every time you hit the road. Your personal safety needs to be prioritized whenever you shop for a brake fluid. In line with this, you should only buy brands, which are proven. There are certain regulations and safety standards set by the Department of Transportation. The product chosen should either meet or surpass those standards. When shopping for a brake fluid, you should carefully study the composition of each product to ascertain that the one you pick guarantees your safety while on the road.

Frequency Of Fluid Change

A good product needs to be changed from time to time to prevent wear and tear. Frequent changing can, however, be expensive in the long run. You need products that are considerably long-lasting. Such fluid ultimately cuts on your maintenance costs. Generally, solid models need to be used for a minimum of two years under normal circumstances. This is mostly the case with fluids that have a DOT level of 4 or 5. Before picking on a product, there is great importance in finding the sentiments of other motorists towards it. Motorists who drive every day ought to choose brake fluids whose DOT specification is higher than 4. Such motorists need to ensure that the fluid is replaced once every two years. If you use a braking fluid that has a DOT rating of 3, it is recommended that you change it on a yearly basis. This is reducible to six months for car owners who drive aggressively on rough and winding roads. Drivers who actively take part in motorsports competition need to replace their cars’ brake fluid before the competitions due to the aggressive manner in which they drive.

Boiling Temperatures

This property is what distinguishes braking fluids. This is basically the temperature at which the fluid starts boiling or vaporizing within your car’s braking system. Boiling and vaporizing are often caused by intense heat created when the braking system is heavily used. It ultimately affects the performance of the whole braking system. Brake fluid boils when it absorbs a lot of heat. Under intense heat, it might even vaporize. When this happens, the chances of brake failure are very high. In this regard, you need to choose products that have high dry and wet boiling points.

The dry boiling point implies the boiling temperature of brake fluid that is being used for the first time. The wet boiling point, on the other hand, refers to the temperature at which the brake fluid begins to boil after absorbing 3.7 percent of water by volume, or more. Most brake fluids attain this water level after being used for an average of two years. This highlights why the fluid needs to be changed on a regular basis.

Brake Fluid Deterioration

All brake fluids found in the market have hygroscopic properties. This means that they have the ability to absorb all moisture that enters the braking system. More often than less, moisture enters the system via joints, hoses, and pipes. An increase in moisture content within the system decreases the temperature at which the brake fluid boils. This is because water acts as an impurity. As the amount of water in the fluid increases, it gets severely contaminated. This has a generally negative effect on the braking ability of your car. This highlights the importance of buying a brake fluid, which does not deteriorate within a short time. Products that lose value at a fast rate are likely to balloon your car maintenance costs for no reason.

Viscosity And Compressibility

Viscosity should not be a source of worry for all drivers. However, it is an important property if you live in an extremely cold place. In such cases, you need a fluid whose viscosity is low. The recent introduction of ultra-low viscosity fluids into the automobile market will greatly benefit car owners who live in cold places. In general, brake fluids resist compressibility whenever they get heated. However, some fluids are more resistant than others.

High-quality brake fluid allows the effortless movement of the brake pedal. ATE 706 202 Original Typ 200 DOT 4 Brake Fluid, Mag1 120 Premium DOT 3 Brake Fluid, Castrol SRF DOT 4 Brake Fluid, Motul RBF600 DOT 4 Brake Fluid and Preston AS800Y DOT 4 Synthetic Brake Fluid, are some of the most prominent brake fluids in the automobile market. Car owners must learn how to top off brake fluid in a way that enhances the lifespan of their cars’ braking systems. Besides this, they must find out the best way to change brake fluid.

The 5 Best Brake Fluids Reviewed

MAG1 120 Premium DOT 3 Brake Fluid

The product is highly favored due to its affordability, dependability, and effectiveness. The fluid’s manufacturer, Mag 1 has built a reputation for producing high-quality automobile accessories over the years.

The fluid has a dry boiling point of 4940 Fahrenheit. This gives it more longevity.

The replacement period of the fluid is 2 years, which greatly helps to save car maintenance costs.

On matters of safety, Mag 1 claims that the fluid surpasses Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Besides this, it also exceeds specifications put in place by the Society of Automotive Engineers. This guarantees that your car’s braking system will be in good shape at all times.

By virtue of being a DOT 3 brake fluid, the product is best suited for all DOT 3 compatible cars.

All said and done, the product keeps the brakes in good shape through lubrication. The product is affordable to most motorists.


ATE 706202 Original TYP 200 DOT 4 Brake Fluid

This product’s main talking point is its high value. Motorists have acclaimed the product due to its ability to enhance the lifespan of car braking systems.

The fluid cools a car’s braking pads whenever a motorist presses it down. This guarantees a smooth stop. Its ability to withstand high temperatures is legendary. ATE went the extra mile to create a high-quality product, which has a remarkable dry boiling temperature of 536 Fahrenheit.

Depending on the frequency with which you use your vehicle, TYP 200 can last for up to 3 years. This is way longer than the lifespan of other brake fluids in the market.

TYP 200 is a highly popular product. Most motorists prefer it over other products due to the fact that vapor bubbles do not form when the braking system heats up. This is a common occurrence when other braking fluids are used. The formation of bubbles greatly compromises the effectiveness of the entire braking system.

ATE incorporated a number of anti-aging components, which prevent the formation of rust within the braking system. Using the product, therefore, goes a long way in reducing replacement costs.

By virtue of being a DOT 4 brake fluid, TYP 200 is superior to most products in the market. What’s more, it can be used on the braking systems of cars whose DOT rating is less than 4.

You should, however, avoid using the product on a car whose braking system has a DOT rating of 5. Before using the product, you should similarly ensure that you go through its user manual for safety purposes.


Prestone AS800Y DOT 4 Synthetic Brake Fluid

The product is perfectly suited for motorists who are operating on a tight budget. Despite its relative affordability, the brake fluid has managed to create a niche for itself among the big boys. If you wish to change your car’s brake fluid with minimum expenditure, this is the most suitable product for you.

Preston’s synthetic brake fluid is highly recommended for anti-lock braking systems. Besides this, it is good for hydraulic clutches and drum brakes. High-performance cars stand to benefit most from this product because of its unique ability to maintain the performance of the braking system for long. Its flexibility means it has a wide range of uses, which go beyond the braking system. Using the product ensures that the entire vehicle remains in good shape for long.

AS800Y has the ability to coat the braking system from internal malfunctions, which are mostly brought about by rusting or normal wear and tear.


Motul RBF600 DOT 4 Brake Fluid

This product is tailor-made for high performing cars, which are normally driven aggressively.

Generally, DOT 4 brake fluids are best suited for top performance and abrupt stops. Therefore, adequately fits the bill. This brake fluid is specially crafted to suit the braking demands of your car, without eating so much into your car maintenance budget. Consistent use of the product maximizes the brake life of your car.

The brake fluid’s high boiling point of 509 F stands out the most. Its wet boiling point, on the other hand, is 329 F. This high boiling point makes the product a perfect companion for motorists who own high-performance cars.

It similarly exceeds DOT standards, which means your safety is always guaranteed whenever you use it in your car’s braking system. The product is easily available in automobile accessories stores. In addition, the brake fluid guarantees impeccable performance besides maintaining the braking system.


Castrol SRF Racing Brake Fluid

This is a high-performance product, which is highly regarded within the motorsports fraternity. It is recommended to motorsports competitors since it suits their extreme braking needs.

The product has an advanced formulation, which explains why it is the best racing brake fluid.

The manufacturer recommends that the product be changed after 18 months of continuous use.

The product has a high dry boiling point, which means it can be used under strenuous braking conditions like car races.

Its compressibility matches that of the best DOT 5.1 brake fluid. This means it can be used on any non-mineral braking system.

It also meets safety standards.


Determining The Best Product

The decision concerning the best brake fluid among the five products can only be reached after certain pre-purchase factors have been put into consideration. These factors include:

  • Dry and wet boiling point
  • Safety
  • The frequency at which the fluid is changed

Reviewing each of these factors will help ultimately us reach the most rational decision.

Dry And Wet Boiling Point

The temperature at which a brake fluid boils greatly determines its longevity. Products that have a high boiling temperature tend to last more than those whose boiling temperature is low. Besides this, they are much safer. DOT 4 products are recommended to motorists who drive off-road and thus need to slam down their brakes frequently.

Mag1 Premium DOT 3 Brake Fluid has been hailed as having the ability to provide more safety. Its wet equilibrium boiling point is 292 degrees F. On the other hand, its dry boiling point is 494 degrees F. This is considerably lower than the other four products.

ATE 706202 Original TYP 200 DOT 4 Brake Fluid is enhanced using a high-performance formulation. In its dry form, it can withstand temperatures of up to 536 degrees F. its boiling temperature when wet is 374 degrees F.

Preston AS800Y DOT 4 Synthetic Brake Fluid has an impressive dry boiling temperature of 515 degrees F. Its wet boiling temperature stands at 420 degrees F. This is quite remarkable.

Motul RBF 600 DOT 4 Brake Fluid has a dry boiling point of 509 degrees F. Its boiling point, on the other hand, is 329 degrees F.

On the other hand, Castrol SRF has a dry boiling point of 500 degrees F.


Safety

The main role played by brake fluid is to enhance efficient and effortless braking. In this regard, the product chosen should meet minimum standards set by government regulatory agencies such as the Department of Transport.

MAG1 120 Premium DOT 3 Brake Fluid not only meets but also surpasses brake oil regulations put in place by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE regulation number JI703). Besides this, it meets and surpasses Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 116, which pertains to all DOT 3 brake fluids.

ATE 706202 Original TYP 200 DOT 4 Brake Fluid exceeds FMVSS 116 DOT 4 and SAE JI703 standards. Its exceptional water-binding property coupled with a high boiling point reduces the chances of vapor forming within the system. More often than less the formation of water vapor within vehicles’ braking systems, accounts for most cases of brake failures.

Preston AS800Y DOT 4 Synthetic Brake Fluid is another safe product, which prevents internal corrosion, wear and tears within the braking system. Its use greatly reduces the occurrence of vapor in the braking system and subsequent system failure.

Motul RBF 600 DOT 4 Brake Fluid has caught the attention of many motorists due to its unique safety properties. This is a universal brake fluid, which has a DOT rating of 4. It particularly enhances safety standards in cars that use ABS braking systems. Its ability to resist water absorption and retention guarantees the safety of your car when it is used.

Castrol SRF outdoes US Federal Standards FMVSS 116.


Frequency Of Change

This basically implies the amount of time that it takes to replace the fluid. Longevity obviously means that the product is of good quality. It also goes a long way in saving unnecessary car maintenance costs. Changing a fluid from time to time can end up being costly in the long run. A product that is used for a long time guarantees better protection to the braking system than that, which lasts for a short time. In line with this, a good product has the ability to keep working effectively for at least two years. The longevity of fluid generally depends on its DOT rating. Fluids that have a higher DOT value tend to last for longer periods.

120 Premium DOT 3 Brake Fluid by Mag 1 needs replacement every two years. Mag 1 is the best DOT 3 brake fluid. It has relatively shorter longevity due to its low wet and dry boiling points. The main advantage that it will offer you within this period, however, is the fact that it can be combined with the best DOT 4 brake fluid for maximum efficiency.

ATE 706202 Original TYP 200 DOT 4 Brake Fluid can serve your car’s braking system efficiently for up to three years. The amount of time that the fluid lasts is however subject to the type of vehicle that you drive. This is, however, a considerable time, which ultimately justifies the product’s relatively high buying price.

Prestone AS800Y Synthetic Brake Fluid is a DOT 4 product, which provides unwavering service for up to two years. During this time, it will sufficiently offer maximum protection to your car’s braking system besides preventing wear and tear. It is also the best DOT 4 brake fluid for motorcycles.

Motul RBF 600 DOT 4 Brake Fluid also guarantees your safety for up to two and a half years. The manufacturers state that you will not experience any braking system failure once you choose to use this product. By virtue of being a DOT 4 brake fluid, it is heavier, which explains its relative longevity.

Castrol RSF should be changed every 18 months. This is because it is mainly used in cars that have intense braking needs.

What is The Best Brake Fluid?

Our Top Pick: ATE 706202 Original TYP 200 DOT 4 Brake Fluid

By considering each of the aforementioned considerations, each of the parameters plays an important role in deciding the most recommended product to motorists. In as much as there are hundreds of brake fluids in the automotive market, these five products stand out due to their affordability, longevity, and the convenience that they offer to motorists. This is what every car owner looks out for whenever he or she goes shopping for a brake fluid.

Among the five products under review, the ATE 706202 Original TYP 200 DOT 4 Brake Fluid is the best brake fluid brand for motorists who want a high-value product. It offers maximum performance for up to three years, which is an impressive feat by all standards. Its exceptional water-binding property and high-performance formulation are worth mentioning too. The product has also been tested and thus exceeds SAE JI703 and FMVSS 116 DOT4 standards, thus qualifying to be the best brake.

About Jason Trevino

Jason is a talented and advanced author, blogger and auto expert. He is determined in researching thousands of products so as to make it easy for the owners to find the best products. He focuses on giving users better understanding on products they are using and ones they anticipate to buy.

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