Brake Fluid DOT 3

Brake fluid DOT 3.
Content: 1 litre.

When you apply the brake, the brake fluid ensures that the force is transmitted from the brake pedal to the wheel cylinders. This requires a fluid. The brake fluid is very thin, so it can move easily through narrow hoses and passages.

Very important is that the brake fluid has a high boiling point, because the modest amount of brake fluid in your car has to withstand the very high temperatures that occur during braking. These can reach up to 500 degrees Celsius. The boiling point can be exceeded if, for example, you stop the car after prolonged braking. When brake fluid boils, vapour bubbles form which, unlike liquid, are compressible. Result: the brake system can build up less pressure and the performance of the brakes deteriorates drastically. In addition, brake fluid is hygroscopic and since our classics do not have a 100% sealed system, water and corrosion will enter the system over time, which is why it is very important to replace the brake fluid every two years.

Brake fluid has two types of boiling point: dry (the boiling point of new, still packaged brake fluid) and wet (the boiling point after absorbing about 3.2% water). In addition there are four different types of brake fluid, identified by a DOT number (Department of Transportation). The higher this number, the higher the boiling point of the brake fluid in question.

The brake fluids are formulated on a polyglycerine basis;

DOT 5 has the highest boiling point and is made on a silicon basis.

DOT 3 has a dry boiling point of 190 C and a wet boiling point of 140 C.

For the other numbers the following applies: DOT 4 (205/155), DOT 5.1 (230/180) and DOT 5 (260/210).

For our classics we use DOT 3 and DOT 4, as prescribed by Volkswagen, but how will you know which DOT to take for your car? It is quite simple: the more heavily your brakes are generally loaded, the higher the boiling point of the brake fluid should be. Heavy vehicles and sports vehicles therefore benefit from a DOT 4 brake fluid with a high boiling point, and for standard brake systems DOT 3 is sufficient.

Mixing DOT 3 and DOT 4 is not recommended, although it cannot do any harm to mix a higher version with a lower one.

Comes in classic metal packaging.

Note: Some manufacturers of brake parts recommend using only a specific brake fluid. Please observe this note. If this is the case, it is mentioned in the description.