Does your car brake feel soft? Is there a delay between pushing the brake pedal and the car coming to a halt?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, your brakes are compromised. There’s either air or water trapped inside, which results in inefficient braking. According to a survey, brakes-related issues are the second most common reason behind crashes. Therefore, it’s very crucial to keep your brakes in top condition all the time.
Take no chances when you feel the slightest indication and bleed your brakes to get them to function effectively again. The whole process of how to bleed car brakes, as explained by Gettacar.com, is a worthwhile read if you are planning to do it yourself.
Once you have acquainted yourself with the process of bleeding your brakes and are ready to do it yourself, you can head out and get your car manufacturer-recommended brake fluid. Here are the top 5 brake fluids recommended by the experts.
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Bosch ESI6 Brake Fluid
Brake fluids are classified into DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5, and DOT 5.1 by the US Department of Transportation (DOT). Most brake fluids in the market apply to only one DOT classification. And this is where the Bosch ES16 stands out from the crowd. If your car uses DOT 3, DOT 4, or DOT 5.1 fluid, the BOSCH ES16 will work for it.
The flexibility of this particular brake fluid to be used in most modern cars with different DOT grades makes it an excellent choice. According to Bosch, the ESI stands for Extended Service Interval, which means it lasts longer than other brake fluids.
The recommended change interval of Bosch ESI6 is three years compared to the two years for most fluids on the market. The company claims that the ESI6 lasts 100 percent longer than a DOT 3, 50 percent longer than a DOT 4, and 10 percent longer than a DOT 5.1 fluid.
Castrol SRF Racing Brake Fluid
The Castrol SRF Racing brake fluid is one of the most expensive options on the market. But as they say, good things always come for a price. The USP of this brake fluid is a higher boiling protection level compared to standard DOT 3 through DOT 5.1 fluids.
Notably, in its brand new state, the Castrol SRF has a boiling point of 590-degrees, up to 189 degrees higher than DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1 grades. The racing in the name hints at high performance, indicating intended use in supercars and performance cars. However, it works just as well in your daily driver sedan or a work truck.
Thanks to its reputation of being the highest performance brake fluid and brilliant boiling protection, the Castrol SRF is an easy recommendation for anyone. This will work in any car that requires DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid.
Motul RBF 600 Synthetic Brake Fluid
Just like Castrol SRF, Motul RBF 600 is another high-performance brake fluid that offers excellent boiling protection. The Motul RBF 600 synthetic racing brake fluid is graded DOT 4 but can also be used in cars with DOT 3 requirements.
The Motul RBF 600 is slightly better than the Castrol SRF because it boasts a 594-degrees dry boiling point and a wet boiling point of 399-degrees. To illustrate, the standard DOT 3-grade fluids have a dry boiling point of 401-degrees and a wet boiling point of 284-degrees.
The higher degree of boiling point means it doesn’t break down as fast and lasts longer. It’s also one of the few brake fluids with long shelf life thanks to compressed nitrogen in the sealed pack. While intended for performance cars, consumers can also use it in regular sedans or hatchbacks.
ATE TYP 200 Brake Fluid
The ATE TYP 200 is a good balance of performance and value for money intended for those who are looking for affordability. The brake fluid is labeled for DOT 4 usage but can also be used in DOT 3 vehicles. The key selling point of ATE TYP 200 racing brake fluid is that it delivers performance close to Motul and Castrol options above and doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket.
It doesn’t have as high a boiling point as Castrol SRF or Motul RBF 600, but it does offer a respectable dry boiling point of 536-degrees and a wet boiling point of 374-degrees. In comparison, standard DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid are rated at 401/284-degrees and 446/311-degrees dry and wet boiling points.
Thanks to the tremendous performance improvement over standard brake fluids and a price tag that’s only a fraction higher, the ATE TYP 200 is among the best options on the market.
Prestone Synthetic Brake Fluid
If you are strapped for budget and don’t have any scope to buy a performance fluid, the Prestone Synthetic brake fluid is your answer. While it doesn’t work across various DOT grades, the brand offers it in both DOT 3 and DOT 4 grades, covering most regular cars.
The DOT 3 version has 460/284-degrees dry and wet boiling points, whereas the DOT 4 version has 510/311-degrees. As mentioned before, the standard DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid have 401/284-degrees and 446/311-degrees dry and wet boiling points.
Prestone offers slightly improved performance over standard fluids when it’s new but the rated performance when it wears down a bit. However, it’s also the most affordable option on this list and won’t break the ban if you have to change more frequently than the racing types.
As a general rule of thumb, the engine oil should be replaced every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Ensure that you keep track of your car’s mileage and stay on top of the brake fluid maintenance for safety.