Best Brake Fluids in 2022

Last update: November 25, 2022

Can I add brake fluid myself?

If your car's brake fluid level is low, you can add brake fluid yourself. Just be sure to check your car's owner's manual first to find out what type of brake fluid to use. You'll also need a clean, dry cloth to wipe up any spills.

Can I drive with no brake fluid?

No, you cannot drive with no brake fluid. Brake fluid is essential for the proper functioning of your brakes. If you have no brake fluid, your brakes will not work properly and you will not be able to stop your car.

Can you add new brake fluid to old?

You can add new brake fluid to old, but it's not recommended. The reason being is that over time, brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air. This moisture can cause corrosion and other problems in the braking system. So, while you can technically add new brake fluid to old, it's not something that is recommended.

Can you mix DOT 3 and DOT 3 Synthetic?

DOT 3 and DOT 3 Synthetic are not the same. DOT 3 is a petroleum based brake fluid and DOT 3 Synthetic is a synthetic based brake fluid. They are not compatible with each other and should not be mixed.


LUCAS OIL 10827 12 ounce Brake Fluid Review:


Either brake fluid functions or it doesn't. I can't say that this stuff is special, but I've used other Lucas Oil products before and was very happy with them. Since the brake fluid in question is DOT4, it can be used with the DOT3 in my system. This 12 ounce container was essentially plenty to bench bleed the master cylinder and purge the rest of the system when I had to replace the master cylinder on my ancient Pontiac. I didn't refill all the fluids completely. I was down to around an ounce. Because the automobile still stops, it must be functional. ;-)



Motul std color MTL100949 8068HL RBF 600 Factory Line Dot-4 100 Percent Synthetic Racing Brake Fluid-500, 500 ml Review:


While he was participating in the Expo at the Long Beach Grand Prix, Motul's Automotive Manager, Joey Cabrera, gave me a recommendation for this product about six years ago. After descending steep gradients, I had a number of extremely harrowing encounters with my pickup truck's brakes overheating. I had previously experienced the mushy pedal dropping to the floor as the fluid boiled before switching to Motul RBF 600. Even on the same route and under the same conditions as my previous failure, after switching to Motul, I have not experienced this loss of braking pressure. After utilizing this device in my pickup truck with success, I installed it in my Corvette, Camaro, and Escalade as well. It's inexpensive insurance to avert an expensive accident. greatly enhances pedal sensation. Every two years, I make an effort to flush and replace this fluid. The only drawback is that the cost continues rising.



Bosch ESI6-32N Brake Fluid (Direct Replacement for DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1) Review:


Even though this isn't brake fluid for racing, I enjoy that I can prolong the time between replacing the fluid. While the price may first seem high, the longer fluid life results in fewer fluid changes over time and a consequently cheaper cost than utilizing alternative fluids. Additionally, knowing that my brake system will function at its peak for longer and with a higher degree of safety thanks to having a boiling point that is higher and a viscosity that is lower than DOT 5.1 offers me piece of mind. Although I didn't notice any difference in brake feel after switching to this fluid, that is unimportant and has no bearing on my assessment of how effective this fluid is.



Motul Brake fluid, DOT 5.1 (N-S) - 500ml Review:


Used it at the track on a 2006 350z with stock brakes and brake pads. It's excellent! The fluid did not boil, and the brakes were stable all day. On a day with a high of 90°F, I was braking hard, revving hard, and cornering harder. The brakes still function perfectly after 4 hours of track abuse and 1 hours of drifting/skid pad abuse. If you track your car, I would suggest buying this product.You should also use "track" pads with this fluid, in my opinion. My brakes function well, but they could operate much more effectively if I switched to high temperature track pads.



Genuine Honda Fluid 08798-9008 DOT 3 Brake Fluid - 12 oz. Review:


According to my manual, only genuine Honda brake fluid should be used in all Honda vehicles. It was ideal for replacing the old fluid and bleeding my brake lines. Even with delivery, the price I paid was less than what the dealer charged (two cans for $15 in July 2015). This is DOT 3 fluid; to find out what kind of fluid your automobile needs, consult the owner's manual. However, I only use Honda fluids for the transmission, coolant, brakes, and power steering. Generic brake fluid might be just as effective.



Motive Products 1820 Brake Fluid Catch Bottle Kit Review:


purchased the "Kit" with two bottles. I'm so happy I did. These were the second-best buy I made to assist me manage the process of completely flushing the brake lines on a 25-year-old car. (The Power Bleeder and proper reservoir cap, both from Motive, were the first.)The extremely fine conforming hose on these catch bottles was easy to slide onto the bleeder valve and held on without any additional care other than checking to be sure. Both the bottle and the hose are transparent enough to see any bubbles. View images. The really convenient part about having two bottles was that I could unscrew one when it appeared that all of the old fluid had been removed from a line and screw on the other to collect the remaining fluid. If the purge was successful, I could then check the fluid's color and its component parts. When you're finished with a wheel, you can hold the end of the hose in the air vent on the bottle since it seals it off and prevents spills (unless you treat it roughly, of course). They can appear a little expensive, but they are definitely worth it!



Honda Genuine 08200-9007 Dual Pump II Differential Fluid Review:


When pulling out of parking spaces or making tight corners, my Honda Element AWD would vibrate, rumble, and groan loudly. I feared it was a drivetrain/powertrain-related problem, including the transmission or differential. According to Element Owners Club forums, the fluid only had roughly 30,000 miles on it, which is reportedly too many or the recommended maintenance frequency. Before driving it to a repair and maybe hearing that I need a new transmission or differential, I figured I'd spend $30 to $40 on two bottles of authentic Honda Dual Pump differential fluid, a fluid transfer pump, and 20 minutes of my time to see if the problem goes away.I removed the fill plug, drained the entire amount of fluid, and then replaced the drain plug to the specified torque as stated in the service manual: 47 N.m (4.8 kgf.m, 35 lbf.ft). I then pumped and filled 1.1 qt of Honda Genuine 08200-9007 Dual Pump II Differential Fluid with a fluid transfer pump with a long vinyl tube into the fill hole until it was full and began to trickle out the top fill hole.I didn't need to jack up the car; instead, I just crawled under there and reached my arm to the drain and fill plugs. It would have been a bit easier if I had jacked it up and placed it on jack stands, but it wasn't absolutely necessary. I took it for a test drive and have since driven a few hundred miles and the groan and rumbling is gone.It's cheaper to regularly change fluids than to stretch intervals and potentially damage expensive drivetrain components like the transmission or differential, plus the change is super easy on Hondas, so why wouldn't you do it? I'm going to make a habit of changing the factory dual pump fluid every 20-25k miles as part of my routine maintenance now that I know it doesn't last 30k miles.You need 1.1 quart to drain and fill the differential on a Honda Element, so buy 2 quarts and a fluid transfer pump. I haven't been able to find a good aftermarket replacement at the neighborhood auto part stores. At only $13/quart, why wouldn't you go factory fluid fill?



Johnsen's 2234 Premium DOT-3 Brake Fluid - 1 Gallon Review:


When I replaced the calipers and brake fluid in my Titan electric over hydraulic braking system, I bought this to use on my boat trailer. It took only one gallon. I discovered from reviews that other people's packages had leaked. It arrived safely in Hawaii, where I reside, without any problems. Very pleased with this purchase.



Motul Rbf 660 Dot-4 Racing Brake Fluid 500 mL Review:


I bought this fluid for my Focus ST because I often compete in autocross, time attack, and track days with it. I decided to buy this fluid after reading positive reviews, and I'm very glad I did.Contrary to standard fluid, there is hardly any fading when driving at 7-8/10 and none when driving at 10/10. It's important to note that I changed the fluid and the stock brake pads at the same time. My car's pedal feel held up while I was driving at speeds close to 120 mph for more than 10 minutes at a time.It's a little expensive, but not outrageously so.



ATE 706202 Original TYP 200 Racing Quality DOT 4 Brake Fluid - 1 Liter Review:


This brake fluid is among the least expensive options that is good for road racing. It is recommended by many of the teams I race with, and because of its affordability, you may flush the system every one or two races without going broke. Other fluids will work better than this, but they will cost two or five times as much, making a flush unaffordable. I only race three to four times a year, so flushing the system twice a year works well and is affordable. Don't be fooled by the DOT4 classification; instead, look at the wet/dry boiling points and compare to others. It's a wonderful option for motorsports on a budget because it is particularly resistant to the higher temperatures experienced in endurance road racing.


Can you mix DOT 3 and DOT 4?

DOT 3 and DOT 4 are both glycol based brake fluids, however they are not compatible with each other. Mixing the two can result in decreased performance of your brakes as well as accelerated corrosion of brake system components.

Do I have to bleed brakes after adding brake fluid?

Adding brake fluid is important to keep your brakes working properly. However, you don't necessarily have to bleed your brakes after adding fluid. If your brakes feel spongy or you notice a decrease in braking power, then you may need to bleed your brakes.

How do I know if my car needs brake fluid?

If your car has an electronic brake system, the first sign that you may need to add brake fluid is the illuminated low-brake fluid warning light on your dash. If this light comes on, it means that the brake fluid level in the reservoir is low and needs to be topped off. Another way to tell if your car is low on brake fluid is to check the level in the reservoir. The reservoir is usually transparent, so you should be able to see the fluid level. If it's below the "minimum" line, it's time to add more brake fluid.

How long is brake fluid Good For?

Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that helps to transfer force from the brake pedal to the brakes themselves. Over time, brake fluid can become contaminated with moisture and other particles, which can reduce its effectiveness. For this reason, it’s important to regularly check your brake fluid level and condition, and to replace it as needed. Most manufacturers recommend replacing brake fluid every two years or so, but it’s a good idea to check it more often if you do a lot of driving in wet or dusty conditions.

How much does it cost to replace brake fluid?

Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that is used to transfer force into pressure, and to amplify braking force. When you step on the brake pedal, the fluid is forced into the brake calipers, which in turn press the brake pads against the rotors to slow down or stop the vehicle. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water from the atmosphere. This can cause corrosion and decreased performance over time. For this reason, it is recommended that you replace your brake fluid every 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. The average

How often should DOT 4 brake fluid be changed?

DOT 4 brake fluid should be changed every two years.