Any Reason I should not use Motive and ATE 200 in the 2018 A6

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

Hey guys,

My car just hit the three year mark, fewer than 30K miles, but I thought a good project for next weekend would be to flush brake system. Did oil, oil filter, engine air and cabin filters about a month ago... Nothing left to do that I can think of. Doesn't even need wiper inserts yet.

Any reason I should NOT order the Motive kit with 2 liters of ATE 200 from FCP. At $118, it's half the price dealer quoted to do the job, and I'm assuming this kit will work for my wife's 2017 Q7 (i.e., I'm guessing the cap at the reservoir is same size). I will not be doing auto-cross or track days in this car. If I was, I'd be going to a higher temp fluid with LOUD, dirty pads..... I've never felt brake fade on the street. Hence, the stock fluid (likely Pentosin?) was fine and I'm assuming any Dot4 would be the same.... This is only about long-term maintenance. I'll keep that machine until it's 10 plus years absent significant collision or major mechanical issues..

This will be my first flush, though I know may way around the toolbox. It's just that my old dealer typically did this on my older BMW's at great sale pricing while I sat in the comfy waiting room reading email, driking coffee and keeping my hands clean, etc..

Thanks for your thoughts.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi-brake-flush-kit-motive-products-0100kt

[2k16A6]

I did mine a few months back, schwaben stuff not motive but looks basically the same. Straightforward job, just be very deliberate about what you’re doing so you don’t get any brake fluid on your paint. Did mine around 12 psi if I remember correctly. If you go higher (like 30) supposedly it will bleed the abs pump too but figured getting the main brake system done would be adequate with no risk of exploding my reservoir

[sepheroth86]

Typically the race brake fluids absorb moisture more quickly.

Not sure what exact fluid you are referring to in this instance.

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

Thanks for the comment and recommendation about PSI.

I'm paranoid about brake fluid because it ruins everything it touches. I was seriously contemplating taping painter's plastic to the RF 1/4, then covering it with a layer of towel and a an old comping blanket. Saving $100-$150 but ruining the paint on an otherwise pretty clean car doesn't make sense...

[gk1]

FWIW Audi specs LV brake fluid. The TYP 200 may not meet this spec.
Viscosity @ -40C 1400 mm2/s

For example
Pentosin DOT 4 LV which is spec'd for Audi equivalent to B 000 750 M(1,2,3,7,9)
Viscosity @ -40C <700mm2/s

I think the ATE Super DOT 5.1 or SL.6 are their Low Viscosity offerings.
Might amount to a hill of beans, but if Audi specifically makes a point that Low Viscosity brake fluid should be used I'd probably stick to that.

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

FWIW Audi specs LV brake fluid. The TYP 200 may not meet this spec.
Viscosity @ -40C 1400 mm2/s

For example
Pentosin DOT 4 LV which is spec'd for Audi equivalent to B 000 750 M(1,2,3,7,9)
Viscosity @ -40C <700mm2/s

I think the ATE Super DOT 5.1 or SL.6 are their Low Viscosity offerings.
Might amount to a hill of beans, but if Audi specifically makes a point that Low Viscosity brake fluid should be used I'd probably stick to that.

Thanks for the comment. Looks like I’ve got a bit of research to do. I don’t care about brand name; just want to meet or beat manufacturer’s specs.

UPDATE: I got off my butt, walked out to the garage and pulled my manual. It states "To ensure the brake system functions correctly, only use brake fluids that comply with VW Standard 501 14 or FMVSS-116 Dot 4."

After a couple quick searches the differences between a regular DOT 4 and the VW standard is, as noted above, the VW standard is thinner at low temps, which I understand allows ABS to work a bit quicker in certain circumstances. ATE and Pentosin both have an LV version of their fluids. Interestingly, FCP shows that the LV version of ATE should be changed at 2 year intervals (or less) while the regular DOT 4 is supposed to be changed at 3 years (or less). Of course, the regular DOT 4's show higher boiling points than their LV counterparts.

If this was a track car, I'd be focused on the boiling point, but only during the season. For daily driving it appears regular DOT 4 and the LV versions are fine...



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[2k16A6]

Thanks for the comment. Looks like I’ve got a bit of research to do. I don’t care about brand name; just want to meet or beat manufacturer’s specs.


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I just went with oem fluid which I got from ecs along with all the schwaben stuff. Also grabbed a large syringe from Amazon to suck out most of the fluid in the reservoir before starting. Like you I don’t plan on tracking the car, just daily driving with a bit of spirited driving here and there.

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

Thanks for the comments guys. The Schwaben kit at ECS (comparably priced) was on back-order, so I went ahead with an order from FCP. I'll be using ATE 200, which is DOT4 and approved according to my 2018 owner's manual. I get that the low temp viscosity might be an issue in EXTREME circumstances, but, frankly, if it's that cold, I'm not going anywhere if I don't have to!

I'll do the job next weekend and report on simplicity - or not...!