brake fluid

[fatty1.8t]

I just got new brakes (oem) and i plan to be putting them sometime in the next few weeks but I dont know which brake fluid to get, ive heard motul from a few people but im not sure where i can get this locally, or whether i have to have it shipped from an online supplier. any recommendations?

thanks,
matthew

[infernocl]

i like valvoline syntec dot3/4

[gotquattro]

I went with ATE Super Blue & used a Power Bleeded to push the new fluid through



-

[n7plus1]

any reason to go with an aftermarket brand than oem audi fluid? Anymore suggestions?

[3ohAvant]

i've heard HORROR stories with the ATE super blue in VAGs.

pentosin, or motul. if you don't track, then motul 5.1 is better than RBF600, and its cheaper too.

the motul 5.1 is more for high perf. everyday driving. The RBF stuff, which is what they use in Superbikes, is great, but like most other racing brake fluids, will need to be flushed out, at least once a year.

A more traditional brake fluid will only need routine bleeding, and flushing on a much less frequent basis.

[BarryT82]

I've alwasy used the Pentosin Super DOT 4 that ECS Tuning sells.

[wolfdog]

Basically what you're after with brake fluid is boiling point - the higher the better. Aftermarket (racing) brake fluids will have a higher value than OEM.

I think PapaChristou used Motul, which has a great boiling point value but is relatively expensive, and said he had to change it annually. Why? Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time (hence the wet and dry boiling point values). The moisture changes the characteristics of the normally non-compressible fluid (dry boiling point) and gradually makes it compressible to a degree (wet boiling point). Thus, you are supposed to change it every couple of years to keep that firm pedal feel. I guess he felt annually was too much and I would agree.

Yes, there are stories about ATE SuperBlue. Apparently the dye does something to seals or whatever. I don't recall exactly what it does nor if it was even on our cars (I think VW guys or B5 A4 guys saw the issue more). Anyway, the ATE fluid also has nice boiling point values so I went with the ATE regular (gold, not superblue). It's the same fluid but without the dye and has comparable boiling temperature characteristics as the Motul but cheaper.

Hope that helps.

[gotquattro]

hmmm

Good to know 'bout the superblue-

I've used it in several other rides too, so I'm not really expecting any excitement. Nevertheless, if my seals suddenly bleed out I'll know why.


-

[chaser]

and lest we forget....the clutch should be bled.

Audi B6 Platform 2002 - 2005

- Brake fluid specification
Only use new brake fluid conforming to US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4

Note:
Open bleed valve before switching on bleeding appliance.
When performing the following steps, make sure that no brake fluid escapes onto the transmission.
Performing work on the hydraulic clutch mechanism the clutch system must be bled.

1. Pull out clutch pedal and fill brake fluid reservoir with brake fluid up to "max." mark before bleeding.

2. Connect brake filling and bleeding unit, but do not turn on at this time.
If installed, remove noise insulation beneath transmission.

3. Connect bleeder hose to slave cylinder and open bleeder valve.

4. Connect bleed hose to pressure hose of collector bottle.

5. Switch on bleeding appliance and allow about 100 cm3 of brake fluid to flow out.
Working pressure 2.5 bar
Note:
Make sure bleed hose is correctly installed during bleeding operation.

6.Tighten bleed valve to 4.5 Nm.

7. Depress clutch pedal several times after bleeding process.
Bleed again if necessary.

8. During the road test, make sure that at least one ABS-controlled braking operation is performed (pulsations must be felt at the brake pedal).

[3ohAvant]

the motul rbf600 absorbs water faster than regular brake fluid. that is why you need to flush that out more regularly. regular brake fluid, you can wait about 2 years between flushing. but a bleed once a year is good, or more often if you track. the motul dot5.1 is good, doesn't absorb water as fast, but isn't a racing fluid, like the rbf. and the boiling points are lower than the rbf.