OK, CARS NOWOVER 6 YRS OLD, HAS NOT HAD A FLUID CHANGE IN THAT PERIOD,CAR STILL STOPS WITHOUT PROBS.

I HAVE DOTV 4 FLUID, USED IN MY MARLIN, IT DOES NOT HAVE THE VW CODING, BUT THE ONE ON THE TIN CONFORMS TO THE H/BOOK, OK TO USE?, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE   ---  SORRY ABOUT CAPS, K/BOARD STUCK IN THAT MODE!!

Edited 15 April, 20206 yr by Frenchtone

As far as I can tell, the only requirement is to use DOT4, I don't think I'd have an issue using non-genuine brake fluid.

 

But then, for the sake of a tenner...

 

Brake fluid must change at 2 years. I use TRW dot 4. But TRW 5.1, that i used a couple years ago is more better.

The Schedule from the manufacturers of the Yeti is first at 3 years and then each 2 years.

You can use a test kit or a tester to check the H20 content.

It is not about the brakes working normally if hardly getting touched, even though you need them to work, it is about the boiling of the brake fluid if used hard because the boiling point of water is different from brake fluid.   Brake fluid is hygroscopic.

Indeed.  It's also not just about boiling point but also internal corrosion which can be caused by the absorbed water, or by acids created when the water reacts with the brake fluid at high temperature (a process called hydrolysis).

 

And DOT 4 is DOT 4 whether it has a VW part number or not.

Be aware, as with oil, VW have their own standard specification for brake fluid...

 

VW 501.14, as per the product I illustrated above.

 

Compared to DOT 4 it has a reduced low temperature viscosity. Make of that what you will.

 

For those of us who have suffered from the now infamous 'VAG Teeves MK60' ABS pump issues that affected a huge number of Skoda, SEAT, VW and Audi models and proved to be an extremely expensive fix for those that weren't able to claim under warranty, or before the repair kit was released, will know how the failures were related to the state of the brake fluid.

 

DOT 4 will be fine, it is still approved for use by Skoda, but as mentioned for the sake of £10 I'd be tempted to buy new fresh fluid, and one that meets the standards set by VAG.

How i said above, i have used some time ago TRW5.1 and the brake was strong and the tyres with ABS were responding more better. I shall buy TRW 5.1 again.

4 hours ago, silver1011 said:

VW 501.14, as per the product I illustrated above. Compared to DOT 4 it has a reduced low temperature viscosity. Make of that what you will.

 

At a guess, it'll be to make sure the ABS/ESP functions work effectively as I believe the newer (post 2006?) pumps have smaller internal pathways.

 

I'd certainly agree that using something that meets VW 501.14 rather than just DOT 4 is the best plan :)