Engine
How to Use DOT3 Brake Fluids in Your Car?
Genuine Ford Fluid PM-1-C High Performance DOT-3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid - 12 oz.
Johnsen's 2232 Premium DOT-3 Brake Fluid - 32 oz.
Niteo Motor Medic M4332 DOT 3 Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid - 32 oz.
Bosch ESI6-32N Brake Fluid (Direct Replacement for DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1)
Brake fluid, when heated to the boiling point, changes its consistency and turns into a slimy, gooey liquid. The car requires this high-temperature change in order to break loose the old, worn-out pad and clean underneath the metal hood. The process is messy but can be done by anyone with some common tools and a car owner’s good sense. A few simple steps are necessary before you can change your own brake fluid. You can do it yourself, but never risk your car or expensive components by going it alone.
- The first thing you need to do is find the right tool. You cannot use only your bare hands to do this job because the small plastic tip of a canister is too small for your palm. You must meet certain size requirements to fit into a standard passenger vehicle. To judge if you have the right size canister, look at the inside of the canister, but don’t be fooled; brakes systems are not one-size-fits-all.
- The next step is to figure out how much your car needs. Take a reading at your local service station, and write down the temperature that the brakes system must reach in order to bubble the correct amount of dot 3 brake fluid. Once you have this number, look up your car’s average temperature, and divide it by two. The boiling point of your brake’s fluid will then be right around the proper level.
- You can get this information from the owner’s manual or dealer of your vehicle. In addition, you can purchase specially formulated dots based on your vehicle’s make and model. Most auto parts stores and specialty auto parts warehouses stock these products. However, you should not expect to get high-quality performance from generic brands of dot 3 brake fluids because they typically contain no form of additive. As an alternative to the standard glycol-based brake fluids, manufacturers have developed DOT3 replacement fluids that are far superior.
- You should keep a supply of DOT3 brake fluids in your car in case your car breaks down on a stretch of highway or during extreme weather conditions. Some drivers, especially when traveling long distances, carry two or more cans of DOT3 fluids with them to ensure that their car performs properly. If you own passenger cars, you should check your car’s brake system often to ensure that your brakes are working properly. If you discover that the brake system has failed, you should immediately remove the affected components and place them in a sealed container, and add some DOT3 fluids to the containers. Leave the contaminated components in the car for three to five days.
The final step is to find out what you can do to reduce heat build-up in your engine. The most common causes of heat build-up include excessive oil and transmission fluid use, using car heaters in combination with the vehicle engine as well as leaving too much chrome and plastic cover around your engine’s radiator and exhaust systems. You should clean these areas with a good anti-rust, or oil and coolant-based cleaner to get rid of any excess heat build-up that has occurred since you bought your car. This will help you to avoid heat-related corrosion if you need to use DOT3 brake fluid.
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