"Dot 3 & 4 are compatable with each other but not with Dot 5. Dot 3 & Dot 4 love water and will pull it out of the air (even through the porus aluminum master!) and should be flushed out no less than every second year (both brakes and clutch systems). The added expense of Dot 5 although it is not corosive to paint etc. in my mind is not worth it. If you are diligent and clean up any spills before the brake fluid has a chance to do any damage there wont be any damage. Also if you run two different hydraulic fluids, which are not compatible, there is a risk for cross contamination and a complete hyralic systems failure. OOPs!"

Jim H is entirely correct & I will just elaborate a little. DOT 3 & 4 are only slightly different and may be mixed at will. Castrol LMA is labelled as meeting both standards and is what I use in my shop. DOT 5 is a silicone-based fluid and should not be mixed with 3 or 4. While it does have certain advantages they are irrelevant to the average operator. Flush/exchange your brake and clutch fluids every two years and your hydraulic components will last a very long time.

posted by 208.53.8...

• Alright, the old DOT 3,4, and 5 question..., Chaz, Mon, 24 Apr 2006 18:00:17
  • Re: Alright, the old DOT 3,4, and 5 question..., Ernesto , Tue, 25 Apr 2006 18:07:45
    • Thanks all.I stayed away from dot 5.n/m, Chaz, Wed, 26 Apr 2006 07:10:26
  • Re: Alright, the old DOT 3,4, and 5 question..., Ray Kopczynski, Mon, 24 Apr 2006 18:12:56
    • What about water absorption problems? nm, Chaz, Mon, 24 Apr 2006 18:35:00
      • Type 5 doesn't absorb water, but it still happens >>>, BobD, Mon, 24 Apr 2006 19:05:03
        • Re: DOT 3,4, and 5 question, Jim H, Tue, 25 Apr 2006 08:03:35
          • Re: DOT 3,4, and 5 question, kansas, Tue, 25 Apr 2006 08:52:59 <-- Viewing This Message
        • Thanks Ray and Bob for the quick and great replies. n/m, Chaz, Mon, 24 Apr 2006 19:06:45
          • But after a full-rebuild on a clutch system..., patquin , Tue, 25 Apr 2006 05:41:51
            • ...I'd still stay with DOT 4, spiv, Tue, 25 Apr 2006 10:54:40

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