You must frequently check the colour of your brake fluid when performing routine maintenance on your car’s braking system. When you use the brake system correctly, brake fluid will not become bad for a few years.
To assist you in determining when the brake fluid needs to be replenished precisely, both drivers and vehicle owners must be aware of the colour of the brake fluid.
Brake Fluid Color Guide
You will need to buy a bottle of brake fluid if you are replacing a brake pad or master cylinder. Brake oil comes in three varieties: DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5, and DOT 5.1. The colours of these brake fluids vary. Brake fluids labelled DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5 are all the same colour.
With time, the colour will turn brown or black. Age, moisture, ageing rubber brake lines, and regular heating will all cause colour changes in the brake fluid. Let’s talk about the various brake fluids for cars using this brake fluid colour guide:
DOT 3
The DOT 3 braking fluid is made of polyglycol. Although it was one of the first braking fluids to be created, the development of more sophisticated brake fluids throughout time has caused it to lose favour. Its minimum boiling point is 205°C. 140°C is its wet boiling point.
One to two percent of water will be absorbed by this braking fluid, depending on the working environment and temperature. Light trucks and domestic cars are the best vehicles to use the brake fluid in for regular driving. Because it absorbs moisture from the air, this braking fluid has a lower boiling point.
When new, DOT 3 brake fluid is a clear, bluish colour. With the exception of DOT 5, it works well with all other braking fluids.
DOT 4
This braking fluid also uses polyglycerol as its base. while dry, its minimum boiling point is 230 degrees Celsius, and while wet, it is 155 degrees Celsius. Higher and medium-sized contemporary automobiles use braking fluid.
Additionally, it works perfectly for cars with high-speed braking systems, towing, ABS, and high altitudes.
Additionally, the brake fluid absorbs moisture, lowering its ERPB (boiling point).
You must handle the fluid carefully because it may damage the car’s paint. The DOT 4 braking fluid has a slight yellow composition and is nearly transparent like mineral. It works with both DOT 3 and DOT 5.1.
DOT 5
This braking fluid is silicone-based. Its boiling points are 180°C for water and 260°C for dry matter. It is primarily utilised on military vehicles as well as long-term stationary antique and weekend collector cars. DOT 5.1, DOT 4, and DOT 3 are incompatible with this braking fluid.
It absorbs no water and doesn’t harm the paint of your car in any way. Rubber formulas are also compatible with the braking fluid. You get a bad pedal feel because of the fluid’s high air absorption capacity. Because of this, it is not the best material for racing automobiles due to its compressibility in hot weather.colour of dot 5 brake fluid
Water ingress into DOT 5 braking fluid can result in severe localised corrosion, freezing, and gassing. This is because water is inappropriate for ABS because it is significantly heavier and does not combine with silicone fluids. Because of foaming and aeration, this brake fluid is very compressible under typical braking conditions. You feel the brakes are mushy as a result.
DOT 5.1
Poly glycol is also the basis for DOT 5.1 braking fluid. Its wet boiling point is 190°C, and its minimum dry boiling point is 270°C. For racecars, fleet and delivery trucks, and towing vehicles, the fluid is perfect. Brake fluid with DOT 4 and DOT 3 combine well. DOT 4 and DOT 3 brake fluids have lower boiling points than DOT 5. This fluid’s boiling point is lowered as a result of its absorption of atmospheric moisture. Paint deterioration can also result from brake fluid. The colour of DOT 5.1 braking fluid is amber.
Conclusion
The majority of braking fluids are golden and transparent in colour. As it matures, the fluids’ colour darkens, indicating that it has gathered detritus and absorbed moisture from the surroundings.
The type of automobile you drive and how you operate the brake system will determine how often you need to change your brake fluid. Regularly check the braking fluids and take note of their colour.
Bad brake fluid used for an extended period of time degrades your car’s performance and can eventually harm the braking system and its parts. To protect the safety of the vehicle, get a qualified mechanic to check and replace the brake fluid if you are unable to do it yourself.
