I'm fitting some goodridge steel brake hoses, and wondered if it's essential that I refill using DOT5 brake fluid. Does it make any difference from DOT4? I'm on standard discs and pads all round. Thanks

 

You don't have to fill with DOT5/5.1, no. The "DOT" rating primarily concerns the fluid's hygroscopic qualities - its ability to not absorb water, and thus its ability to maintain a consistent performance over extended periods of time.

If you're interested in brake feel and fade resistance, you'd be better off going for a high temperature "race" brake fluid. Note though that many of these are chemically incompatible with standard fluids, so if you did go for one you may need to do a complete bleed/refill of your system to get all the old stuff out.

 

if you are only using std pads/ discs then you will struggle to exceed the boiling point for a good quality dot4 fluid (£4.99/ ltr), there are other options depending on what you are planningin the future........
mail me for any specific info if you wish....
alyn - asperformance.com