I feel like a pillock. How about you?

"4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30" (4muddyfeet)
03/14/2014 at 18:52 • Filed to: None

I went to three autoshops/garages today specifically asking for dot 3 brake fluid (the tank states 'USE DOT3 ONLY'), all to no avail.

I turned and left each one with a quick, 'Thanks, bye'. It was only when I went to the fourth when they casually mentioned; 'No, but we've got dot 4 which you can also use. Small or 1 litre?'

So today I have learnt that the only difference between the dots is the boiling temperature, it's perfectly OK to use dot 4 instead of dot 3 in an older vehicle, and some people have no desire to dig any deeper than the original question.

How have you embarrassed yourself in front a mechanic/someone in the know?

DISCUSSION (15)

For Sweden > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/14/2014 at 18:54

I couldn't find the clitoris the first time.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/14/2014 at 18:55

I plead the Fifth (of Vodka)

ddavidn > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/14/2014 at 18:55

Yeah, pretty much any time I open my mouth to talk about cars. Or buy parts....

CRider > For Sweden
03/14/2014 at 18:56

#CutomerSevis

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/14/2014 at 18:56

DOT5 is a silicone based, so its not only the boiling points .

You can not use DOT 5 in a system unless it has been totally flushed out and cleaned.

But, yeah I was gonna comment you can use DOT4 with a DOT 3 system, but you got that covered now haha

desertdog5051 > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/14/2014 at 18:58

Dot 5 is a synthetic and is not compatible with systems that use Dot 3 and 4.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
03/14/2014 at 19:04

See, I'm happy to learn today!

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/14/2014 at 19:05

DOT 5.1 is safe to use though.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > desertdog5051
03/14/2014 at 19:05

Until I GIS'd for Dot 3, I didn't even know Dot 5 existed. Don't even know if my other cars use it....

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > For Sweden
03/14/2014 at 19:07

Which aisle did you find it in?

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
03/14/2014 at 19:07

Pray tell, why?

desertdog5051 > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/14/2014 at 19:11

It will tell you on the cap of the mater cylinder. The advantage of DOT 5 is that it does not absorb moisture as 3 and 4 will.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/14/2014 at 19:12

DOT 5.1 is the same make up that DOT 4 and 3 are.

DOT 5 is a silicone based fluid and will react weird to the make up of the other fluids.

I'm not exactly sure why they don't play well together though.

5.1 has the same coiling point as 5 though, 500 degrees fareinheit.

Also, brake fluid is hygroscopic, as it absorbs water the boiling point drops, which is why you NEVER EVER EVER EVER use brake fluid that the bottle has been opened for an extended period of time.

Pixel > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/14/2014 at 20:55

It's opposite the gear knobs.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > For Sweden
03/14/2014 at 21:42

But have you ever found it? Just because you didn't find it the first time doesn't imply that you've found it since then.