The Joshua Tree Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 On a Focus 1.8 petrol 2008 which dot brake fluid should you use, is it dot 4 ? I'm not sure what's already in there as i've not had the car long, is it ok to put new stuff in with the current stuff ? Would you buy any particular brand ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dezwez Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 i used dot 4 on mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joss max Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 4 minutes ago, The Joshua Tree said: On a Focus 1.8 petrol 2008 which dot brake fluid should you use, is it dot 4 ? I'm not sure what's already in there as i've not had the car long, is it ok to put new stuff in with the current stuff ? Would you buy any particular brand ? Dot 4 should be fine Rob. How ever as you don't know what's currently in there, it would be wise to drain existing brake fluid and then fill with new Dot 4. That way you wont risk mixing different Dot fluids. Also you would be good for a couple of year before having to change the fluid as it is hygroscopic meaning it absorbs water which reduces the boiling point of the brake fluid. The Dot categories refer to boiling point of said fluid Boiling points Minimal boiling points for these specifications are as follows (wet boiling point defined as 3.7% water by volume): Boiling point ranges [2] Dry boiling point Wet boiling point DOT 3 205 °C (401 °F) 140 °C (284 °F) DOT 4 230 °C (446 °F) 155 °C (311 °F) DOT 5 260 °C (500 °F) 180 °C (356 °F) DOT 5.1 260 °C (500 °F) 180 °C (356 °F) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainydays Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 My vote goes for a full drain to Avoid mix and match. Dot 4 is pretty much the ford standard. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef123 Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 seems a bit extreme lol. Thousands of cars serviced everyday and the mechanic doesn't necessarily 'know' whats in them but knows what should be in them and no harm done. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdci-Peter Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 4 hours ago, The Joshua Tree said: Focus 1.8 petrol 2008 which dot brake fluid should you use, is it dot 4 ? I'm not sure what's already in there as i've not had the car long, is it ok to put new stuff in with the current stuff ? In my Focus manual, the standard brake & clutch fluid is "Super DOT4". This is actually the same as DOT5.1. DOT4 & DOT5.1 can be mixed, so it is ok to add 5.1 (Super DOT4) even if it has DOT4 now. But you would only get the benefit if it was all DOT5.1 DOT5 can not be mixed with any other type, it is a different fluid altogether. See: www.opieoils.co.uk/pdfs/tech-articles/Brake-Fluid-Explained.pdf 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainydays Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 That is a very good point. Would you risk it without a full service history? Brakes should not be played with in my opinion. 13 hours ago, stef123 said: seems a bit extreme lol. Thousands of cars serviced everyday and the mechanic doesn't necessarily 'know' whats in them but knows what should be in them and no harm done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomsFocus Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I don't know why people are so scared of brakes...as long as you check there are no leaks afterwards and have a solid pedal that's really all there is to it... You'll be fine putting in either DOT4 or Super, though Halfords doesn't list Super for everything Ford so I'm not sure when the changeover was. It is recommended to be changed every 2 years and if you're changing the cylinders (or adding calipers?) you'll lose so much fluid doing it you might as well change the lot while you're there as I doubt it's been changed in the last 6 years anyway lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v530anh Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I just pump it out and add super dot 4. Also the PSF all the same time every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Joshua Tree Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 What brands are people putting in, is this stuff ok as it's super dot 4 http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford_super_dot_4_brake_fluid_1ltr_f_1776311_c_1046.htm This is Dot 4 but it's made by Castrol http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Product.do?method=view&n=1983&p=230418&d=124&c=4&l=2&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=Brake Fluid&gclid=CID4h9Ku-M8CFe8V0wod7yID5Q Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dezwez Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 2 hours ago, The Joshua Tree said: What brands are people putting in, is this stuff ok as it's super dot 4 http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford_super_dot_4_brake_fluid_1ltr_f_1776311_c_1046.htm This is Dot 4 but it's made by Castrol http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Product.do?method=view&n=1983&p=230418&d=124&c=4&l=2&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=Brake Fluid&gclid=CID4h9Ku-M8CFe8V0wod7yID5Q i go with the second one looks ok you have to replace it every two years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef123 Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 6 hours ago, Rainydays said: That is a very good point. Would you risk it without a full service history? Brakes should not be played with in my opinion. I don't consider it risking anything. I quite often work on brakes and clutch systems and top up with the required fluid. As for brand, I generally use pagid stuff as a 500ml bottle from factors is £1.80 lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biff55 Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 38 minutes ago, dezwez said: i go with the second one looks ok you have to replace it every two years lol , you really want to be spending £18 on a small top-up bottle of brake fluid ? ( £13.14 + delivery £5 + vat £3 ) forget that , get fords own stuff at less than half the price , plus you can pick it up at any dealership parts desk. its pointless buying fluids by post , shipping costs a bomb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Joshua Tree Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 I wouldn't order it online, i'd buy it from a local place that stocks it as like you say the postage is too much. I was just using the links to show the fluid. It's actually on eBay for £11.47 with free delivery http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Castrol-15037E-React-Performance-Dot-4-Brake-Fluid-1-Litre-/282230029633?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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