I'm going to be installing the C5 Brake kit for my car soon. I figure I will prob have to bleed the brakes. Should I use synth brake fluid, or just replace it with what GM put in it? Anybody have any preferences on brake fluid?

 

I use synthetic Mobil1 in 2 of my cars and can't honestly tell a difference v/s dot4 or even dot5 fluid. Either one would be fine.

 

I used the Valvoline brake fluid. Works fine.

 

The best bang for the buck brake fluid I've found is the Ford stuff. It has a high boiling point for the price.

 

Is that the brake fluid that is blue??

 

Nope, it looks just like most other brake fluids I've seen.

 

Hmmm, I wonder which brake fluid is blue. I've heard that's some of the best stuff you can get. From what I remember it had a 700 degree dry boiling point. I'll have to do some research.

 

ATE Super Blue is blue, and they also make a "gold" fluid. The idea being that you can alternate between flushes to know you've completely flushed one out.

Keep in mind that as you go to the better fluids, they require changing more often. For the ATE/Motul type fluids, a flush once a year is typically recommended. So unless you're racing the car, you might consider sticking with a more streetable fluid.

Dave

 

That's the stuff that I'm talking about. I remember a few guys talking about it at a car club meeting a while back. I kind of thought the color change would be a good idea. As you stated, you'd know that you've gotten all of the old fluid out once the new color started to come out.

 

Late model F-Body brake system seals are not synthetic or DOT5 compatible. It will eventually eat the seals up.

A local police officer misunderstood and put DOT 5 in his Camaro, not DOT 5.1 It was ugly ...

Valvoline SynPower is a great street fluid. I have Castrol SRF in my car, though.

 

I don't understand. What is the correct brake fluid to use for F-Body's? I have a 1995 Z28 and would like to flush the brake system. I do not plan on racing or consistent high speed braking. Thanks in advance.

 

Mitch meant "silicone" brake fluid, not "synthetic" above. Your f-body cannot take silicone brake fluid, which is DOT 5. You can use any DOT 3, DOT 4, or DOT 5.1 (don't ask me why the numbering is like that) fluid, those are not silicone. Since you're not racing, I'd get one of the more "normal" fluids like Valvoline recommended above.

Dave

 

Here's a great comparison article on the different fluids:
http://www.swedishbricks.net/700900F...Comparison.htm

For regular street use, the Valvoline Synpower is probably the best, and this is what I use for street and roadcourse use with no problems. Although, I do bleed a lot more often than would be nescessarry just for street use.

 

Thanks for clarifying the differences. I plan of completing this before I leave for Hot August Nights on Sunday.

 

The outdoor temperature at HAN is likely to be higher than most of those fluids' boiling points....

Have fun,
Dave