Brake Fluid Table

[fritz_269]

Here's a table I just compiled of common brake fluids:

Brand                  DOT   $/L  Dry bp(F) Wet bp(F)
_____________________________________________________
AP 551                  3    $22  531       261
AP 600                  4    $37  590       410
AP Ultra 5.1            5.1  $16  518       375
ATE Super Blue/TYP 200  4    $9   536       392
Castrol Ultra-Stop      4    $6
Castrol GT LMA          4    $8   446       312
Castrol SRF             4    $70  590      *518*
Ford Heavy Duty (OEM)   3    $6   550       290
Havoline/Texaco         3         499       290
Honda Heavy Duty (OEM)  3    $10        
Lucas/Girling 5.1       5.1  $19  500       380
Motul 600               4    $26  585       421
Motul Ultra 5.1         5.1  $22  509       365
NAPA Super Heavy Duty   4    $6 
NEO Super DOT 610       4    $32 *610*      421
NEO High Performance    4    $16  568       
Pennzoil Heavy Duty     3         447       294
Pennzoil Heavy Duty     4         478       339
Performance Friction    3    $18  550       284
Prestone/STP High Perf  4    $4             312
Pro Honda               4    $10
Quaker State Heavy Duty 4         470
Valvoline Synpower      4         513       333
Wilwood Hi-Temp 570     3    $16  570       284

minimum requirement     2     -  >374       n/a 
minimum requirement     3     -  >401      >284
minimum requirement     4     -  >446      >311
minimum requirement     5     -  >500      >356 (silicone based!)
minimum requirement     5.1   -  >500      >356


-prices are approximate US dollars per liter
-blanks indicate missing data.  The DOT rating will give the 
minimum wet and dry boiling points.

If you street drive, figure you'll be halfway to the wet bp point within about 3 months, and nearly completely there at around 12-18 months. If you have a track day, figure you'll be nearly at the wet bp by the next morning.

For lazy street cars, I'd recommend The Castrol GT LMA. It's getting a good reputation and is quite cheap and long lasting.

If you've experienced substantial or recurring brake fade or pedal slush with your OEM fluid, but still generally keep to the street, I'd have to recommend the ATE Super Blue (also called ATE TYP 200 - exact same thing, but amber instead of blue). Incredible performance for the price, and you'll probably only need to change it every other year or so.

If you want track days, you'll be changing the fluid a LOT - like every morning of every track day. The Ford Heavy Duty Fluid is a great trick for that - very cheap and a very high dry bp, but don't expect it to last much more than a day. If you need a touch more dry bp or a longer life, you can jump up to the AP 600, Motul 600 or the NEO 610. Much more expensive, but all have really great performance.

If you are rich and absolutely must have the best. Castrol SRF. Nothing else comes close. Don't look for it in your average store, but they do retail it. Check the net.

One more important note -> ALWAYS buy brake fluid in a metal can, never plastic. Plastic will allow the fluid to absorb water while just sitting on the shelf (sometimes quite slowly, but how do you know how long it's been there?).

Some more resources, explaination of the "DOT" system, etc...
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question451.htm
http://www.rpmnet.com/techart/fluid.shtml
http://www.hotrodheaven.com/tech/brakes/brakes8.htm

PS> If you have anything to add to the table, please post or PM me. It's a work in progress. Distribute freely.