Old timer at the parts counter in Memphis set me straight on brake fluid

I was about to buy some cheap DOT 3 fluid for my F-150 when a retired mechanic waiting in line told me to grab DOT 4 instead. He said my brake system would eat through the cheaper stuff in a year and leave me with a spongy pedal. I shrugged it off but went with his advice anyway. 8 months later I flushed a friend's truck that used DOT 3 and the fluid looked like muddy tea. Anyone else run into old guys at the parts store who know their stuff?

2 comments

2 Comments

ray1361mo ago

What exactly did the fluid look like when you drained it from his truck? Was it more of a dark brown sludge or just a cloudy amber color? I've seen DOT 3 turn almost black in high mileage trucks after a couple years, but 8 months seems fast unless he was hauling heavy or driving in mountains. Did you notice any grit or particles in it?

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riley431mo ago

Man I used to be one of those people who thought brake fluid was just brake fluid and it couldn't get that bad that fast. But @ray136 you're right about the color thing. When I drained it it was straight up dark brown sludge, not even close to cloudy amber. Looked like old motor oil honestly. I was surprised because 8 months like you said seems too quick for that. But he was hauling a heavy trailer through the mountains every weekend so I guess the heat just cooked it. There was some grit in there too, little specks like metal dust mixed in. Changed my whole view on how fast that stuff can break down under heavy use.