So I figured it is time to replace all my brake fluid in my fleet.
The Cap on the Master Cyl on my 1999 ML320 reads Dot 4+

At Auto Zone the counter guy said Dot 4+ means DOT 4 synthetic.
He sold me Valvoline Synpower DOT 3-4.

I guess Valvoline has a formula that can be mixed with 3 or 4 .

Anyone use this with success ?

__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles

I think you would be ill advised to put any synthetic or part synthetic brake fluid in any or your Mercedes Benz vehicles.

Why do you say that Ron ?

what does DOT 4+ mean if that is not synthetic ?

__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles

Steve,

Read the posts in this link.

Brake Fluid Question

The stuff I use has a boiling point of 536 degrees and wet boiling point of 392 degrees which is very good. Lots of people use this fluid in their Porsches both on the track and on the street.

I flushed my brake fluid last month and the parts place (PepBoys) had the DOT 3/4+ fluid. I think it was Prestone.

Anyway, I'm about to flush the fluid in the volvo but purchased the fluid at Kragen. The Valvoline "synthetic formula" says it exceeds DOT 3 and 4 standards, and is "Compatible with conventional brake fluids". So now I'm really confused. Since it doesn't say 4+ I think I'm going to return it.

My bikes use DOT 5 and I know you don't mix it with other fluids.

I used the Valvoline DOT 3-4 synthetic. No ill effects. (1999 ML320)

__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles

Ditto. Look for a DOT4 fluid with the highest wet boiling point, which is Valvoline where I shop. Brake fluid will absorb moisture in a street driven car, because you're going to leave it in for two years. On the track, look for the highest dry boiling point, since you're going to change it between each event.

Valvoline's "synthetic" name is pure marketing.

__________________
Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

I believe DOT5 is silicone brake fluid, not mineral oil. I don't think you can consider it "synthetic", and it's not compatable with mineral oil.
I'd go with the MB brake fluid.

Gilly

__________________
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ALL,

This is not the place to squeeze the nickle, so to speak. Your life, and the life of your family depend on full braking function!

Your local MB Steelership will sell you the recommended fluid for just about 10 bucks a litre. That' enough to seriously flush one ABS system and maybe two, if you have a pressure bleeder.

Regards,

Jim in Phoenix

Dot 4+ or Super Dot 4 is lower viscosity than Dot 4. Dot 3 has a lower boiling point than Dot 4. I would use the Mercedes fluid or Pentosin Super Dot 4. I wouldn't use anything else.