DOT 5.1?

dr crash
dr crash Posts: 53
edited January 2012 in MTB workshop & tech
Hi,

Need to bleed my brakes but have run out of brake fluid.

Am i right in assuming you can use any dot 5.1 fluid and not have to use specific bike brake fluid? It's just a specification so it's all the same stuff right?

Thanks very much!

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    dr crash wrote:
    Hi,

    Need to bleed my brakes but have run out of brake fluid.

    Am i right in assuming you can use any dot 5.1 fluid and not have to use specific bike brake fluid? It's just a specification so it's all the same stuff right?

    Thanks very much!
    May be, may be not.

    What are the brakes?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • dr crash
    dr crash Posts: 53
    Elixir 5's
  • mar_k
    mar_k Posts: 323
    dont most cycle brakes use dot 4?

    you really need to know what fluid is meant to be in the brake lines as having the wrong type of fluid
    can corrode brake lines
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Yes 5.1 but DOT 4 or DOT3 will work in there fine.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    mar_k wrote:
    dont most cycle brakes use dot 4?

    you really need to know what fluid is meant to be in the brake lines as having the wrong type of fluid
    can corrode brake lines
    Nope.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • dr crash
    dr crash Posts: 53
    so say car or motorcycle branded dot 5.1 is fine? As it's much cheaper!
  • dr crash
    dr crash Posts: 53
    can you mix types? or would you have to empty the system of 5.1 before you use 4?
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    Yep. Halfords car 5.1 in my elixirs.
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    Yes you can mix, but why would you not at least drain it out?
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • mar_k
    mar_k Posts: 323
    nicklouse wrote:
    mar_k wrote:
    dont most cycle brakes use dot 4?

    you really need to know what fluid is meant to be in the brake lines as having the wrong type of fluid
    can corrode brake lines
    Nope.



    really? I work on cars and some cars that are dot4 are unabable to run 5.1

    so bike caliper seals are fine using any rating?
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    dr crash wrote:
    so say car or motorcycle branded dot 5.1 is fine? As it's much cheaper!
    They are the same thing.

    DOT5.1 is DOT5.1
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    nicklouse wrote:
    dr crash wrote:
    so say car or motorcycle branded dot 5.1 is fine? As it's much cheaper!
    They are the same thing.

    DOT5.1 is DOT5.1

    Well nearly. DOT 5.1 is a minimum standard, not actually a specific reference point, so every 5.1 fluid is slightly different, but you'd never know on a bike.
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    True. Some DOT4 exceeds the DOT5.1 specs but was developed before the DOT5.1 standard was written.

    Many DOT3 fluids Exceed 5.1 standards at all levels but wet BP. But they are race spec fluids are are not expected to be used or more thn one race.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • mar_k
    mar_k Posts: 323
    Dot 5.1 doesnt strip paint off like the others do either.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    mar_k wrote:
    Dot 5.1 doesnt strip paint off like the others do either.
    Yes it does. Just as well if not better.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • mar_k
    mar_k Posts: 323
    I am going to try it on an old bonnet I have out the back and will report back
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    mar_k wrote:
    Dot 5.1 doesnt strip paint off like the others do either.

    You're thinking of DOT5- not the same thing.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • mar_k
    mar_k Posts: 323
    Northwind wrote:
    mar_k wrote:
    Dot 5.1 doesnt strip paint off like the others do either.

    You're thinking of DOT5- not the same thing.




    thanks for putting me straight

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