Brake Fluid (type) synthetic or not

[Ames63]

I am changing out my ABS pump motor this weekend and purchased some Prestone dot-3 synthetic brake fluid. Before I used it I vaguely remember some discussion on this forum that synthetic brake fluid is not to be used dot-3 or otherwise, however I cannot find the post to confirm this. Can someone tell me why synthetic brake fluid is not to be used?

[Guest F14CRAZY]

I'm not certain, but I don't see why it would be a problem. it's still DOT 3 and meets are requirements of DOT 3.

[Guest EDBS0]

Don't even think of using silicone brake fluid!!!

My fav ... High Performance Racing Brake Fluid

ATE Super Blue and TYP200. Finally, affordable high performance brake fluids that have both a high dry boiling point (536 deg) and a high wet boiling point (392 deg), but without being excessively hygroscopic. What this really means is that these fluids do not readily absorb moisture like most high performance fluids. Moisture in your braking system can be costly requiring a complete braking system overhaul! A must for any car equipped with modern high friction brake pads.

TYP200 carries the exact same properties as the ATE Super Blue, but it is an amber colored fluid. Flush till you see the color change.

Synthetic type 3 is excellent. No problems.

[harry yarnell]

As EDBSO says; DON'T use silicon brake fluid in any motorizes hydraulic pump setup, such as our Teves brake units, or convertible top units. Apparently it doesn't have enough lubresity (to coin a word).

[Shelby]

DON'T USE THE SYNTHETIC

The teves System is not designed for it.

The synthetic deserves some of the gaskets.

[Ames63]

Thanks everyone for your input, I was really skeptical at first but feel a lot better about putting in the synthetic dot-3 now. I was pleasantly surprised when I put it in, I had removed the old fluid with a syringe as it stated when changing out the abs pump motor. When refilling it took the entire quart of brake fluid (have to pick up another bottle on the way home. Any GOOD advice on flushing and bleeding the system. F14crazy I reccolekk you saying you used the pump motor to bleed all for wheel caliphiers? Could you elaborate on that? Also i am going to clear my codes for the first time today, any suggestions and or pitfalls to be careful of?

[Barney Eaton]

The Teves ABS system has unique plumbing that gives a constant pressure to the rear brakes when the pedal is applied..... so on the rear, you crack the bleeder and press the pedal and fluid will continue to flow until you either shut the bleeder or release the pedal.

The front is bled (flushed) in the conventional manner.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

I left the ignition on while braking, though I had to connect a battery charger to keep the car powered up (pump motor seems to use a lot of juice)

[Guest imported_dantm4]

Just my .02 but I tried the synthetic and after the comments on here switched to the regular. I think the regular brake fluid works better. I wish I had more evidence to back this up, but it's been awhile. I just think the brakes are more solid and consistent with the regular stuff. Chances are with this old of a car you'll have to replace it every few years anyway.

-Dan

90' Black/Tan Coupe

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Every other year seems to be the suggested maintenance interval for brake bleeding

[Shelby]

YOU WILL SORRY USING THE SYNTHETIC.

But heck it is only the brake that will fail.

What do you expect to accomplish by changing the brake fluid to synthetic?

[sahein]

I've been using synthetic for years in many cars. Not even a hint of a problem yet.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Why would synthetic be bad? I'm not trying to question anyone's thinking in a negative way, but would like to know the facts on this.

[Shelby]

If it isn't broke don't fix it.

Why risk it?

F14 you have a lot to learn.

[Guest maybe2fast]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">YOU WILL SORRY USING THE SYNTHETIC.

But heck it is only the brake that will fail.

What do you expect to accomplish by changing the brake fluid to synthetic? </div></div>

not trying to rag on you but synthetic is the samething as regular DOT 3 except it has higher boiling points and probably will retain its properties longer and keep everything cleaner...

I flushed my entire system with it...by using an air bleeder and depressurizing the motor system (reatta.net) it works great...great pedal and clean fluid...abs light turns off alot sooner than it did before the flush...just my .02

[Guest F14CRAZY]

okay

[Guest inthespot]

I would think that you would use synthetic the same way you use synthetic oil, and that would be to achieve longer miles between changes. Or at least that is what I always thought the idea was and that is what the advertisements have always indicated. I would think that the extended oil changes offsets the extra cost of the synthetic oil. If you need to flush the brake fluid on a regular basis then I would not thank that you would benefit form synthetic.

I am sure that there are other benefits from synthetic products but to figure the boiling point on brake fluit would seem to me that you have other issues like trading up to an Indy type car or keep the speed down under 100 mph more often. Does anyone actually know the temperature of brake fluid when you drive down the road at say 75 mph on a day then the temperature is 90º.

I sold chemicals for 16 years and did well with the products containing moly (molybdenum disulfide) and other polymers. These products were simular to Slick 50, Lucas Oil Stabilizer, and others. Some people think they are great products and others think that if you change your oil often enough then they are not needed. In all the test results and demonstrations I saw I will have to say that molybdeum disulfide is an additive that cuts friction and heat a tremendous amount, and that equates to wear.

[Reatta45]

This is one of the best synthetic brake fluids you can buy? http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=51

It is NOT expensive, less than $6.00 a quart. There synthetic power steering fluid is also great, $3.85 a quart?. I have NEVER had reason to doubt that synthetic is superior to non synthetic. And like someone has already mentioned any product (even slightly better) is still better. KennyV.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Teves is still around. Perhaps I'll drop them an email later

[Guest imported_dantm4]

This is a forum for discussion, why are people getting upset over this stuff? If he wants to use synthetic it's his choice (or anyone else's). The only thing you can do is give the facts as you see them and have him make his choice. I tried the synthetic, the regular seems to work better. Some people think that synthetic doesn't lubricate as well as regular fluid (be it oil, brake, etc)In the case of the brake pump - perhaps it doesn't, these parts were built before synthetic was widely used on the market, they might not work as well with the synthetic, or they might work better. I don't use synthetic brake fluid (for reasons above) but I do use Mobil 1 (which seems to work a lot better than regular oil). Chances are if you change your fluid at regular intervals, it probably doesn't matter which one you use, just don't get upset when someone else makes a different choice. Perhaps the synthetic doesn't pressurize as well as the regular in the Teves system and F14 will find that out from Teves?

-Dan

90' Black/Tan Coupe

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Certainly. They made the system and probably put thousands, maybe millions of dollars into designing the system. They'd know.

The Continental-Teves website. Their email form is giving a 404, but I'll call them tomorrow.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Now we know...the email I sent to Teves (I told them I had a vehicle with a Mark II ABS system) actually did go through, and I got this reply...

<span style="font-weight: bold">

We suggest you do not use a synthetic brake fluid, but it is best to

contact the car manufacture directly.

Best Regards, Steve Lynch

Stephen P. Lynch , Sales Manager Aftermarket

Continental Teves, ATE

17917 Burnt Oak Lane

Lithia,Florida 33547

Phone 813-571-1378

Fax 813-571-1379

Cell 813-317-1330 </span>

[sahein]

That statement was a legal liability clause that places the liability on the vehical manufacturer. It has no relevance to performance of the product.

[Guest maybe2fast]

agreed! saves their asses

[Guest F14CRAZY]

If he indeed did say that to put any blame on Buick, getting an official response will be difficult. Could ask like a current Jag mechanic since they use Teves systems (I don't think any GM car does).