The History of Brake Fluid

The first automobiles used mechanical brakes, but hydraulic systems were developed relatively early on. The first hydraulic system was devised in 1914
by American automotive pioneer Frederick Duesenberg, and Lockheed Corporation co-founder Malcolm Lougheed developed his own system in 1918.
Early brake fluids included castor oil-based hydraulic fluids and alcohols. Some of the alcohols that were used included butanol and ethanol. These
substances were used prior to brake fluid regulations were established, and the DOT 2 standard provides for oil-based brake fluid.
Glycol-based brake fluids were the next to appear, and the DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 standards describe the specifications that they have to meet. Siliconebased fluids were the most recent development in the history of brake fluid, but they arent as widely used.

Types of Brake Fluid

Modern brake fluid can be broken down into three basic categories:

oil-based

glycol-based

silicone-based
In the United States, these three basic types of brake fluid are broken down further based on a number of specifications that are dictated by the US
Department of Transportation. Since these specs are determined by the Department of transportation, they are referred to as DOT numbers.

DOT 2 Brake Fluid

DOT 2 brake fluid is oil-based, and it isnt widely used in the automotive industry. It has the lowest wet and dry boiling points of all the brake fluids. If
your vehicle calls for Dot 3, 4, or 5 fluid, you shouldnt add DOT 2 fluid.

DOT 2 Boiling Points

DOT 2 dry boiling point: 190 C (374 F)

DOT 2 wet boiling point: 140 C (284 F)

DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 Brake Fluid

DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 brake fluids are all glycol-based, which means they are all somewhat compatible with each other. Most vehicles that were produced
or sold in the US prior to 2006 use DOT 3 brake fluid, and most vehicles produced or sold in the US after that date use DOT 4.
The boiling points of these fluids varies, with DOT 5.1 having the highest boiling point, DOT 3 the lowest, and DOT 4 sitting between the two. The
viscosity of glycol-based brake fluids follows the same pattern, with DOT 5.1 having the lowest viscosity and DOT 3 having the highest.
Although glycol-based brake fluids are all relatively compatible, a good rule of thumb is to never put in a lower DOT number than the system calls for.
A system that calls for DOT 3 fluid will work with DOT 4 fluid, but a system that calls for DOT 4 may malfunction if DOT 3 fluid is added due to the lower
boiling point.
In any case, DOT 5 (silicone-based) brake fluid should never be added to a system that calls for DOT 3, 4, or 5.1 brake fluid.
All glycol-based brake fluids are somewhat hygroscopic, which means that they tend to absorb water from the atmosphere. This is one of the reasons
that its important to flush brake fluid on a regular basis, since excessive water can cause corrosion and poor braking.

DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 Boiling Points

DOT 3 dry boiling point: 205 C (401 F)

DOT 3 wet boiling point: 140 C (284 F)

DOT 4 dry boiling point: 230 C (446 F)

DOT 4 wet boiling point: 155 C (311 F)

DOT 5.1 dry boiling point: 260 C (500 F)

DOT 5.1 wet boiling point: 180 C (356 F)

DOT 5 Brake Fluid

DOT 5 brake fluid is silicone-based, which means it isnt compatible with any other type of brake fluid. The main advantage of this type of brake fluid is
that it is hydrophobic, which means it doesnt readily mix with water. It also has a higher boiling point than either DOT 3 or 4 fluid, and the same
viscosity and boiling point as DOT 5 fluid. It also wont damage paint, which glycol-based fluids tend to do.
Although DOT 5 brake fluid has a number of positive factors going for it, its compressibility can suffer if it absorbs too much air. This air is held in
solution, which isnt the same as the air bubbles that you can remove with a proper bleeding procedure. In some cases, repeated bleeding can remove
more air as it works its way out of solution.

DOT 5 Brake Fluid Boiling Points

DOT 5.1 dry boiling point: 260 C (500 F)

DOT 5.1 wet boiling point: 180 C (356 F)

DOT 3: This brake fluid is a poly glycol base product. Its dry boiling point (ERBP) is 205C
minimum and wet boiling point (Wet ERBP) is 140C minimum. It absorbs 1 to 2 percent of
water per year depending on climate and operating conditions. It is used in most domestic
cars and light trucks in normal driving. This brake fluid does not require cleaning the system
and can be mixed with DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 without damage the system. This brake fluid
absorbs moisture from the atmosphere thus reduces its boiling point (ERBP). It can also
damage the paint on a vehicle.
DOT 4:This brake fluid is also based upon poly glycol. Its dry boiling point (ERBP) is 230C
minimum and wet boiling point (Wet ERBP) is 155C minimum. It is used in medium and
higher size of modern cars; and also for vehicles in high-altitude, towing, high-speed braking
situations or ABS systems. This brake fluid does not require cleaning the system and it can
be mixed with DOT 3,DOT 5.1 without damage to the system. This brake fluid also absorbs
moisture out of the atmosphere thus reduces its boiling point (ERBP). It can also damage the
paint on a vehicle. The modified poly glycol boric ester DOT4 brake fluid is also available.