How to replace brake fluid

[postwick]

Thinking of putting in high temp brake fluid. Is it as simple as opening the bleeder screws, pumping out the existing fluid using the brake pedal, and refilling then bleeding?

I was thinking I could open the bleeder screws and pump out as much as will come out, then let gravity do the rest while I replace my rotors and pads.

 

[mcevok]

http://www.amazon.com/Motive-Produc...460716310&sr=8-2&keywords=brake+fluid+bleeder

 

[postwick]

Thanks MC, that would make bleeding easier and quicker. My main question though is how I get the old brake fluid out. Would this bleeder kit do that for me?

 

[SilverSH0]

I would not recommend removing all the fluid and then replacing with new. I wouldn't recommend letting the master cylinder run dry. I change my fluid by using a turkey baster to remove all the fluid I can from the reservoir. I then slowly pour in new fluid trying to prevent mixing. Then I install my 1 man bleeder on the back right. I give it a few pumps until the reservoir gets low. Then I top it off and empty the bleeder bottle. I keep repeating this until the fluid coming out of the bleeder is clean and looks new. Then I do it a couple more times just to make sure. The key is to always make sure the reservoir has some brake fluid in it or else you're going to have to bleed the master cylinder and I don't like doing that. Once you get clean new fluid from one brake move to the next until all of them are done.

 

[postwick]

That makes sense. Would it be OK to do it that way if I am changing the type of brake fluid? I want to use something with a higher boiling point...so I assume as long as they don't mix it'll be OK. I read something about ABS systems - that they "trap" brake fluid. Is there something special I have to do on a SHO to flush that fluid, or is it not worth worrying about?

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

Depending on mileage there is a brake fluid flush recommendation 3 yr/50K I believe. That is a total flush purge old fluid and fill system with new fresh fluid.

NOTE: DOT4 and DOT3 brake fluid ARE NOT backwards compatible. DOT4 is newer and can be used in DOT 3 systems but not the other way around.

 

[SilverSH0]

I'm fairly new to the SHO so I don't know the exact answer to the ABS question. I did change by brake fluid and simply left whatever was in the ABS system alone. Coming from the Mustang, some people would go to the dealer and they have a tool that will engage the ABS system to purge the fluid.

 

[postwick]

I don't understand why, but I can't seem to find anywhere online nor in the documentation from Ford for the 2013 SHO, about what brake fluid is stock. Is it DOT3? 4? Synthetic or regular? What can I put in? My goal is to put in high temp fluid but I'm not sure what can be put in.

 

[BlueSHO]

I don't understand why, but I can't seem to find anywhere online nor in the documentation from Ford for the 2013 SHO, about what brake fluid is stock. Is it DOT3? 4? Synthetic or regular? What can I put in? My goal is to put in high temp fluid but I'm not sure what can be put in.

Dot 4 this is from the 2013 owners manual.


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[postwick]

Thanks, I couldn't find that in the PDF from owner.Ford.com

Now if I could find the boiling point...to know whether to stick with that or switch to a different fluid.

 

[postwick]

OK so according to a post I found online that referenced a page that no longer exists, the boiling point of the stock brake fluid is 230 Celsius, which is 446 Fahrenheit. Too low.

I guess that means I have to pump out all the existing fluid, refill with better fluid, and bleed. Looks like there is a special tool to flush the ABS system, so I guess I'm going to have the dealer do it. Ugh.

I long for the days when cars were simpler. I offered this guy a trade but no dice...

 

[SilverSH0]

OK so according to a post I found online that referenced a page that no longer exists, the boiling point of the stock brake fluid is 230 Celsius, which is 446 Fahrenheit. Too low.

I guess that means I have to pump out all the existing fluid, refill with better fluid, and bleed. Looks like there is a special tool to flush the ABS system, so I guess I'm going to have the dealer do it. Ugh.

I long for the days when cars were simpler. I offered this guy a trade but no dice...

That's standard DOT 4 temperature. Most people I know use Valvoline Synthetic Brake fluid and have no issues at all. This is people who AutoX and drag regularly. What are you doing that you need higher temp fluid? Have you experienced issues or are you just wanting to upgrade for the heck of it?

Brakes really haven't become much more complex than the old days. The only real changes have been the ABS system and drums to disc. IMO, both of those are good updates.

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

I will put the +2 for Valvoline DOt4 Synthetic. Works good, durable and fairly readily available....except for Wal-Mart for some reason at least in 2015 when I was doing a flush.

 

[postwick]

I want to be for prepared for track days, that's why I'm upgrading the rotors, switching to semi metallic pads, and want higher temp brake fluid. Maybe I don't absolutely need it but in my mind I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. That way I'm confident come track day.

 

[postwick]

Depending on mileage there is a brake fluid flush recommendation 3 yr/50K I believe. That is a total flush purge old fluid and fill system with new fresh fluid.

NOTE: DOT4 and DOT3 brake fluid ARE NOT backwards compatible. DOT4 is newer and can be used in DOT 3 systems but not the other way around.

After much research to decide what I want to use, I found that this is not true. 3 and 4 can be mixed. They are the same type of fluid, just with different boiling points.

If you think about it, it's not possible for them to only be compatible in one direction. Mixing is mixing.

Anyway, how much brake fluid does a SHO brake system hold?