Comma BF51L Dot 5.1 Synthetic Brake Fluid, 1 Liter

Product Information

Since DOT 5 does not absorb water easily, you no longer have to change the brake fluid every 2 years.

Now as we cleared the basics of the DOT brake fluid and learned what this type of fluid is in the first place. Furthermore DOT 5 is hydrophobic and does not absorb water from the atmosphere like regular DOT brake fluid will. However, the fact that it’s unregulated could be viewed as an advantage to the manufacturer because it means they have full control over the process of manufacturing their brake fluid. Then we learned more about the pros and cons of the DOT 5 and how it outperforms other fluids as well as the comparison with the DOT 3. F.A.Q The Comma DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid 1L will provide you with a product that helps to protect and prolong the life of your braking system. It has been designed to provide you with the confidence that you will not only get great braking performance, but it also maintains braking efficiency for longer. The highest quality brake fluid specially formulated for use in today’s high performance vehicles. This can also be safely be mixed with DOT 3 and DOT 4 specification oils. Suitable for use with ABS systems and has a minimum wet boiling point of 180°c. Ideal for all ABS systems for performance and safety in all driving conditions. Features & Benefits:

So what is it good for?

Although DOT fluid lets in moisture, the water doesn’t pool in one place and is instead dispersed throughout the entirety of the fluid, which maintains good performance. DOT 5 does have its applications. If you own an extremely rare car that has expensive or original paint, DOT 5 is the fluid for you because it will not eat away the paint if spilled. But, if you use DOT 5, you are almost required to bleed the brakes before you go for a spin. Why? DOT 5 is lighter than water. Any moisture will pool at the lowest point which is typically the calipers or wheel cylinders. Many classic cars have been lost after the owner decided to shake loose the cobwebs before bleeding the brakes. Glycol-based brake fluids are hygroscopic. Meaning – they absorb moisture and water from the atmosphere.

Since Mineral Oil is hydrophobic and does not absorb water from its environment, one of the great advantages it has over DOT fluid is that once opened it can be stored indefinitely. Are you thinking of topping off the DOT 3 with the DOT 5 brake fluid? If this is the case, then you need to read this article first because the switch will not be that smooth after all and you could face a ton of issues. Silicon-based brakes are harder to bleed. However, after bleeding, DOT 5 brake fluid-filled brake systems are more rust-resistant and last longer than those using other formulas.Most brake fluids used today are glycol-ether based, but mineral oil ( Citroën/ Rolls-Royce liquide hydraulique minéral ( LHM)) and silicone-based (DOT 5) fluids are also available. [1] Standards [ edit ] Even though, by the numbers, DOT5 looks like the best brake fluid for your car based on the boiling point, you're definitely going to need to refer to your owner's manual if you're not sure to find out what kind of fluid you need to use. Most cars do not take DOT5 brake fluid, so never assume it’s the right choice for your brake system if you don’t know for sure. This water content finds its way into the brake fluid via microscopic pores in brake hoses, seals, joints and seams. As we've learnt, water mixed with DOT fluid has an adverse effect on the brake fluid by reducing its boiling temperature and therefore reducing its performance.

And this is for a reason, the DOT 5 is a silicone brake fluid. This means that it is not produced from the same compounds as the DOT 3 and DOT 4.

Even though the big feature of DOT5 brake fluid is its high boiling point, it's worth noting that there are other fluids that have higher boiling points that are glycol based. When we listed the boiling points for things like DOT3 brake fluid and DOT4 brake fluid, those were the minimum requirements. A brake fluid like Prospeed RS683, for instance, is a DOT4 brake fluid that has a dry boiling point of over 300 degrees Celsius, or 583 degrees Fahrenheit. This is generally reserved for high-performance vehicles that will run their brakes at extreme temperatures, things like racing cars. Although DOT 5.1 has a better lifespan and is compatible with motorcycles, most motorcycle braking systems are designed for DOT 4. No, you cannot mix the two. Mainly because they are two different fluids that are not intended to be mixed. They have different chemical formulas and any mixing will create more damage than good. So, you should never do that. Where To Buy DOT 5 Brake Fluid Unlike DOT fluid, Mineral Oil is hydrophobic and does not absorb moisture from the environment. This means that there are no wet or dry boiling temperatures to worry about, the boiling point stays constant and never drops. That's the good news.

This means that it is rather different from the regular hydraulic fluid that is known as ATF or transmission fluid. As we have seen, DOT 5 brake fluid has one of the highest boiling points of all the fluids available. Typically, your car will run on either a DOT3 or a DOT4 brake fluid which are both glycol ether-based brake fluids. This means you should avoid mixing mineral oils and you’ll normally need to buy it from a local bike shop or online bicycle retailer, unlike DOT, which is more readily available given it’s used in the automotive industry. If you’re using DOT 4 brake fluid, you can switch to DOT 3 but not the other way around. While DOT 3 and DOT 4 are intermixable, mixing them together isn’t advisable because it can degrade the overall performance of your brake system.

Clutch cylinder

The biggest difference between the two brake fluids is their chemical composition. The DOT 4 is glycol-based and the DOT 5 is silicon-based. The DOT 4 brake fluid is also hygroscopic whereas the DOT 5 brake fluid doesn’t absorb water but offers less viscosity. Glycol-based fluids consist of a mixture of ingredients with as many as ten separate substances making up the final product. These substances can be broken down into four key components: