OEM Brake fluid?

kmac1980 · 05-04-2010, 02:14 PM

I have my M3 in for routine service on brake fluid, and before the tech flushed the system, they said they noticed my car has DOT 5 brake fluid in the system (this is what it came with from the factory), and that they only have DOT 4 fluid at the dealership to refill it with.

Which fluid is OEM spec, can I fill with DOT 4 or will i notice a performance degrade? I dont track the car...

thanks!

Jaypod · 05-04-2010, 02:26 PM

Hey Kev - DOT 4 is fine. I am going to assume they mean DOT 5.1 not DOT 5. Just make sure they do a proper flush (I would assume they would but....)

kmac1980 · 05-04-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaypod

Hey Kev - DOT 4 is fine. I am going to assume they mean DOT 5.1 not DOT 5. Just make sure they do a proper flush (I would assume they would but....)

Thanks Jay, you're a wealth of knowledge

Do all M3s come from the factory with 5.1?

Jaypod · 05-04-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmac1980

Do all M3s come from the factory with 5.1?

I guess so - did not realize that. First I have heard of this, but I have not done a flush myself yet. I am putting my BBK on tomorrow and still not 100% what fluid I will go with. Probably Castrol SRF.

kmac1980 · 05-04-2010, 03:23 PM

SA called me back and they said they had made a mistake and that it was indeed DOT 4 in my car OEM.

The manufacturer had just changed colours of the fluid from green to clear, they thought the green was DOT5.1, which it wasn't!

JCtx · 05-04-2010, 04:24 PM

Brake fluid is clearly labeled 'DOT 4' on the cap, so use that. I used Castrol GT-LMA synthetic fluid, which meets DOT 4 specs. It's only $10 for a 32-oz bottle, which is enough even for the clutch. Make sure to reset your computer when you're done; it'll schedule another bleed 2 years from date of reset.

aus · 05-04-2010, 05:43 PM

The stock fluid is from ATE, though it maybe a slightly different formula (inferior) from the Blue/Gold you can buy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaypod

I guess so - did not realize that. First I have heard of this, but I have not done a flush myself yet. I am putting my BBK on tomorrow and still not 100% what fluid I will go with. Probably Castrol SRF.

SRF is the best, but a little pricey. It'll make up for it with few fluid changes needed.

Jaypod · 05-04-2010, 07:03 PM

Figures Kev! Glad they sorted it out!

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

SRF is the best, but a little pricey. It'll make up for it with few fluid changes needed.

Yeah thats what I figured as well.

05-04-2010, 02:14 PM	#1
kmac1980 Major 36 Rep 1,043 Posts Drives: '19 540xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: toronto iTrader: (1)	OEM Brake fluid? I have my M3 in for routine service on brake fluid, and before the tech flushed the system, they said they noticed my car has DOT 5 brake fluid in the system (this is what it came with from the factory), and that they only have DOT 4 fluid at the dealership to refill it with. Which fluid is OEM spec, can I fill with DOT 4 or will i notice a performance degrade? I dont track the car... thanks!
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05-04-2010, 02:26 PM	#2
Jaypod Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,971 Posts Drives: Frozen M3, AM V8V, 991 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	Hey Kev - DOT 4 is fine. I am going to assume they mean DOT 5.1 not DOT 5. Just make sure they do a proper flush (I would assume they would but....)
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05-04-2010, 03:23 PM	#5
kmac1980 Major 36 Rep 1,043 Posts Drives: '19 540xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: toronto iTrader: (1)	SA called me back and they said they had made a mistake and that it was indeed DOT 4 in my car OEM. The manufacturer had just changed colours of the fluid from green to clear, they thought the green was DOT5.1, which it wasn't!
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05-04-2010, 04:24 PM	#6
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	Brake fluid is clearly labeled 'DOT 4' on the cap, so use that. I used Castrol GT-LMA synthetic fluid, which meets DOT 4 specs. It's only $10 for a 32-oz bottle, which is enough even for the clutch. Make sure to reset your computer when you're done; it'll schedule another bleed 2 years from date of reset.
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