I see DOT 4 written on the brake fluid reservoir. I guess I need to buy DOT 4 to do brake fluid flush. 

 

Is any brake fluid with DOT 4 written on its bottle okay? 
Any recommended brand? (For road use only) 
 

I gather I need more than 1 litre of the fluid for flush. 1.5l according to an older thread: 

My Nissan Leaf says DOT 3 on its brake fluid reservoir. Does it mean I can’t buy 5 litres of DOT 4 and use it across the two cars? 
 

Both fluids are compatible ,the difference between dot 3 and dot 4 is the boiling point of the fluid ,so no issues .

Thanks Mick.

 

I found this, £15.50 for 5L of DOT 4. Seems excellent price to do 3 cars at the same time, my Skoda (DOT 4), wife's Leaf (DOT 3) and Dad's Volvo (DOT 4).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MANNOL-Brake-Clutch-Fluid-DOT-4-5L-SAE-J-1703-FMVSS-116-DOT-4-ISO-4925/303081767251

 

 

Is it any DOT 4 fluid will do the job?

 

Any point in spending more (£22.50) to get branded ones like this Brembo brake fluid?

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/brembo-dot4-brake-fluid-5ltr-524770341

Edited 15 August, 20205 yr by wyx087

Are you doing the work yourself?

DOT4 is DOT4. 

No point in buying it yourself if you're not DIYing though.

Plan is to DIY 3 cars at the same time (2 DOT 4, 1 DOT 3 car)

 

Thanks. If that's the case, cheapest it is! £15.50 to do 3 cars is rather cheap.

Since the leaf uses electric to pump the brake fluid I would be a little bit careful as I seem to remember reading the higher DOT fluids might ignite more easily. (I could be wrong)

 

I remember also hearing brake fluid services were more expensive on electric cars.

 

 Could be nothing, but I would say best to check first.

The workshop manual for doing brake fluid change on Leaf looks very straight forward. No special tools needed, whereas workshop manual for Skoda requires a VW contraption. 
https://www.speakev.com/threads/brake-fluid-change.152537/#post-2870296
 

So not sure why brake fluid service on this EV could be more expensive than on other cars. It should be cheaper than doing it on a VAG car. 

 

I’d thought all cars nowadays use electric brake pump........ I’ll have to double check this. Thanks for pointing this out. 

23 hours ago, Wino said:

DOT4 is DOT4. 

 

Unfortunately not

I ordered 2x 1L Comma DOT4 in the end, mid-range in price. Halford sells the same thing in case I need more.

 

We'll only do the 2 DOT 4 cars, DOT 3 LEAF the fluid looks clear, it's only been 2 years since last change, I'll do it next year and use DOT 3 as required to be safe.

 

Thanks everyone.

Seems odd for them to be using DOT 3 in this day and age. I would have assumed in the Leaf you could use DOT 4.

 

And with regards to colour, it'll either be clear or amber ish colour. The only one which is distinctly different is DOT 5, which is purple.