I'm getting ready to flush my brakes. I've heard good things about ATE Super Blue and was planning on using it but it seems like it's only available online (with lots of shipping). What's the best place to get brake fluid? Is there any good stuff that's available at local stores?

 

Good stuff, but do you need it? Unless you plan on open track use and sustained 800* or more rotor temps it won't make your brakes work any better than the $5qt stuff. It's only a higher boiling point.

"If you don't boil what you use now, you don't need higher BP fluid."

 

http://raceshopper.com/

 

You can get the Valvoline Synpower DOT 4 fluid at your local Autozone.

 

Super Blue is available at my local 'high end' auto parts store. They carry it on the shelf for about $12 a can.

Good Luck,
Mike

 

Thanks for the info. I probably won't need the higher boiling point of the Super Blue. So there's no difference between the $5 Valvoline stuff and the ATE except for boiling point? ATE says Super Blue can go 3 years of normal use without changing (although I probably won't go that long), can the Valvoline do the same?

 

In the sense that one will make your brakes work better than the other; No.

Some prefer the color change to blue. And for some natural rubber seal applications some fluids are more compatible with this than others. The ones that are not tend to turn to a dark gray color in short time. I don't know of this being an issue with the MINI however.

I didn't know any company set a time line on how long it can go. ?? It doesn't "go bad" but in time all brake fluids pick up moisture. That will lower the final boiling point. Generally the higher the grade for dry boiling points the shorter the working life which is why racing applications are bled daily. As little as 1% can change the dry point to a level much below what it requires for extreme temps. Wtih moisture in the system it can over heat quicker and boil, thus trapping air and resulting in a sof pedal. But if you don't have this problem now then changing to any decent name brand fluid will do you just fine for a daily driver. Especially if you tend to flush it every so often anyhow- good for you.

 

Thanks Todd. I know all about natural rubber seals from working on my old Lotus and I'm not worried about the MINI in that respect. Since I don't race, I don't need a fluid that can take extreme temps. The ATE specs are 536/388 (dry/wet) and the Valvoline is 503/343. I'll give the Valvoline a try and save a few $$$.

 

The color is the big difference! Blue for one cycle then use the gold next time. driving in the mountains has improved by adding this fluid.

 

kapps: i have a great idea. buy a sweet bbk from TCE (i did and love it) then bring your car to sebring 16-20 January for some track fun! you will then need that higher temp. fluid. my rotor temps are about 900*.

 

That's a darn good idea . I wish. I was at the 12 hour race last year and would love to drive on that track. Unfortunately, I'm a poor college student and things like that are going to have to wait.

 

Well I guess it's time for a followup. I flushed the brakes today. I had planned on using the gravity bleed technique but it quickly became apparent that air was getting past the threads and screwing up the siphon affect. The bled screws didn't have any sealer on their threads. I pulled my mom and dad into duty and did it the old fashioned way. I was at the caliper, dad was pushing the pedal, and mom was keeping the reservoir full. I spent a lot of time on the first (rr) caliper trying to get the reservoir flushed through. Once that one was relatively clear, I moved onto the lr, rf, lf. The fronts turned clear pretty quickly. I used almost an entire 1 liter bottle of Valvoline Synpower brake fluid.

I took it out for a test drive and the pedal is definitely a bit firmer. I'm happy with the results.