What Brake Fluid to use?
 

I opened my book and it says to use brake fluid and then there is a star next to it. At the bottom the * says contact your MBZ service shop for the correct fluid.

What should I use? Will tandard DOT3 from autozone work? I bought a couple bottles to bleed the brakes on the truck my moms van and was planning on the benz too.

DOT4

Try opening the hood instead. Then read the brake reservoir cap, which will undoubtedly confirm the accuracy of post #2.

I did not even think of that till I poped the hood today to look at something else. I got all worried since the book did not say what to use. the cap said DOT4. Thanks again guys.

DOT 4

Do not use Synthetic brake fluid. It has been know to cause leaks on old brake parts.

It seems DOT 3 is perfectly acceptable for MBZ. :P See links below. DOT4 is recommended in Europe for commercial $$ reasons.

http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e39/8995265-1.html

Another article, extract below:

"Does this make DOT 4 fluids better than DOT 3 fluids? Not always. Remember, the boiling points listed are minimums and there are DOT 3 fluids out there with higher boiling points than some DOT 4 fluids. The real differentiating factor should be that if you run a DOT 4 fluid you really should change the fluid more often than if you use a DOT 3, if for no other reason than the rapid fall off in boiling point with time."

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_brakefluid_1a.shtml

I am using a Valvoline synthetic specified as "DOT3 and DOT4". It is compatable with both. But I have been told that you should not mix regular DOT3 and DOT4 together.

There was another post here recently on the same issue that had a lot of good information. Do a search on "DOT 3 and DOT 4" and you will find it.

The best you can get:

http://www.tirerack.com/images/brake...brakefluid.jpg

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/ate/ate_sl6_fluid.jsp

-Jason

I am using that stuff in my W124 with ABS and it is excellent....I will be using it in my W126 very shortly when I replace my rear brakes (all of it, calipers too :eek: )