Castrol Response Super DOT 4 brake fluid
#41
Ummm, this thread is less than a week old....and I must have missed the part where I said i was in a hurry...
This should not have been a boring thread and had much potential since there are so many
owners on here who love their cars enough to want to know more about them and even do a few DIY projects from time to time...
#43
So I dropped the car off at the dealer yesterday for some warranty work and was going to have them change out the fluid with the ATE Blue since they only charge $120 (my time for a tedious job like this is worth more than that) and the tech informed me they will only flush and replace fluid if it needs to be done. As long as it is clear and honey colored, there is no reason to perform this service. I pointed out this was the original fluid. He said fluid never need to be replaced unless they've gone bad. I have heard this position before on the age old question: to change or not to change...but never from a service department.
What do you think?
What do you think?
#44
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#45
#46
#47
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#48
#49
Ummm, you said "best find a new mechanic" which would suggest you were saying the Jaguar service department is in error and therefore they do not know what they are doing, which was my response/question.
If you meant something else, I am sorry and would appreciate a translation (English is my second language)
If you meant something else, I am sorry and would appreciate a translation (English is my second language)
#50
One possible scenario I suppose is the Jaguar dealer is talking customers out of routine maintenance with the hopes this will cause more expensive failures down the road?
By the way the Jaguar branded Super DOT 4 fluid is only $10 and takes 2 bottles, according to the service department anyway.
#51
There are 'know-it-alls' in all professions. Just because someone works at a dealer does not mean they are good mechanics. I worked at a Jag dealer for years and saw some fairly $hiity mechanics come and go. Sometimes they are just young and need to learn and some are older 'idiots' that should find some other line of work!!!!!
Brake fluid should be renewed EVERY 2 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bob gauff
Brake fluid should be renewed EVERY 2 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bob gauff
#52
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Ummm, you said "best find a new mechanic" which would suggest you were saying the Jaguar service department is in error and therefore they do not know what they are doing, which was my response/question.
If you meant something else, I am sorry and would appreciate a translation (English is my second language)
If you meant something else, I am sorry and would appreciate a translation (English is my second language)
There are 'know-it-alls' in all professions. Just because someone works at a dealer does not mean they are good mechanics. I worked at a Jag dealer for years and saw some fairly $hiity mechanics come and go. Sometimes they are just young and need to learn and some are older 'idiots' that should find some other line of work!!!!!
Whether your brake fluid is indeed contaminated is another matter. I don't know what magical thing happens to it at two year intervals.
#53
#54
Only 3 DOT standards for fluid. Review my post
In the United States, all brake fluids must meet the motor vehicle brake fluid standard. Under this standard there are three Department of Transportation (DOT) minimum specifications for brake fluid. They are DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1. These are the three types. That's to make it easy to find brake fluid just about anywhere.
Please refer to my previous post regarding 2004 XJ Vanden Plas Complete Brake Service. The top of the master cylinder clearly indicates DOT 4 on my Jag as required for vehicles sold in the US. I flushed and refilled the entire system with a quart which cost about $8.00 at Autozone. I am sure two 12 oz. bottles would do it. Valvoline Dot 3 &4 Synthetic ($3.99-12oz or $7.99-32oz.) or Prestone Dot 4 Synthetic ($4.89- 12oz.) surpasses specifications SAE J1703, FMVSS No. 116 and DOT 4 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid at Autozone parts stores.
They are compatible with all braking systems requiring a DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid. Mixes well with conventional fluids. High dry boiling point up to 480ºF reduces the risk of fluid evaporation & possible brake failure.
The fluid is easy. Bleeding's the hardest part follow the attachment in my post and save a lot of money. Don't forget to reset the parking brake system. I am not racing at Road America, just driving around town. Love the car.
Please refer to my previous post regarding 2004 XJ Vanden Plas Complete Brake Service. The top of the master cylinder clearly indicates DOT 4 on my Jag as required for vehicles sold in the US. I flushed and refilled the entire system with a quart which cost about $8.00 at Autozone. I am sure two 12 oz. bottles would do it. Valvoline Dot 3 &4 Synthetic ($3.99-12oz or $7.99-32oz.) or Prestone Dot 4 Synthetic ($4.89- 12oz.) surpasses specifications SAE J1703, FMVSS No. 116 and DOT 4 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid at Autozone parts stores.
They are compatible with all braking systems requiring a DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid. Mixes well with conventional fluids. High dry boiling point up to 480ºF reduces the risk of fluid evaporation & possible brake failure.
The fluid is easy. Bleeding's the hardest part follow the attachment in my post and save a lot of money. Don't forget to reset the parking brake system. I am not racing at Road America, just driving around town. Love the car.
#55
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In the United States, all brake fluids must meet the motor vehicle brake fluid standard. Under this standard there are three Department of Transportation (DOT) minimum specifications for brake fluid. They are DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1. These are the three types. That's to make it easy to find brake fluid just about anywhere.
#56
Glycol based fluid is HYGROSCOPIC. It absorbs water from the atmosphere and the higher the humidity, the faster the rate of deterioration. The 2 year recommended renewal is an average that the manufacturer calculates to keep the system functioning properly without damaging system components.
bob gauff
bob gauff
#57
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Glycol based fluid is HYGROSCOPIC. It absorbs water from the atmosphere and the higher the humidity, the faster the rate of deterioration. The 2 year recommended renewal is an average that the manufacturer calculates to keep the system functioning properly without damaging system components.
bob gauff
bob gauff
#58
There are several schools of thought from manufacturers about the service intervals for brake fluid.Jaguar recommends changing at 2 year intervals, other manufacturers such as Ford do not have a change interval at all. There are test strips available for testing the condition of the fluid. If you want to change the fluid every 2 years that's fine.
#59
More than well aware of this and as I asked before, how does moisture get into a sealed system?
I got the fluid and was going to do it myself but when I found out Jaguar only charges $120 I figured I would have them do it. But when the service writer, who has been there at least 4-5 years said the Jaguar techs will only change the fluid if it is bad and been contaminated in some way, it gave me pause. A friend of mine who drives his Mercs 100,000+ miles every 3 years says he never changes any of his fluids except oil & cooling system, FWIW.
#60
The ATE website explains the difference between their Super Blue Racing DOT 4 product mentioned in this thread and their version of the Jaguar specified Super DOT 4 (ATE SL.6).
In summary, the ATE SL.6 product has half the viscosity of the other DOT 4 fluids, and has a lower boiling point than the racing intended DOT 4 fluids.
The SL.6 is intended for electronic braking and stability control systems.
In other forums, drivers that reported harsh ABS activation with typical DOT 4 fluids found much smoother ABS activation with the low-viscosity Super DOT4 (ATE SL.6) brake fluids.
Here's a link to the ATE site:
ATE -ATE Brake Fluid
Jeff
In summary, the ATE SL.6 product has half the viscosity of the other DOT 4 fluids, and has a lower boiling point than the racing intended DOT 4 fluids.
The SL.6 is intended for electronic braking and stability control systems.
In other forums, drivers that reported harsh ABS activation with typical DOT 4 fluids found much smoother ABS activation with the low-viscosity Super DOT4 (ATE SL.6) brake fluids.
Here's a link to the ATE site:
ATE -ATE Brake Fluid
Jeff