Manual states Honda Dot 3 Brake fluid is strongly recommended, with dire warnings about corrosion and damage if other brands are used, even if only to top off the level. Recommends removing all the Other Brand ASAP.

To be believed? Why would Acura use parts which would fail with other brands - is this a move forward?

But, brakes are the one thing one would least like to fail in a car, so my paranoid tendencies are taking over on the day after: I just emptied ("turkey basted") the master cylinder and refilled with another Dot 3 brand, thinking to do this a couple of times to help reduce the total H20 content in the system (comments on this procedure welcome as well), rather than flushing).

(my apologies if this is an old topic, search option isn't working for reasons unknown).

well, I'm taking out the Honda fluid real soon.

I'll be replacing it with Endless fluid.

I'm not worried one bit.
But that's just me I suppose.

If you are not running a specific BBK package, I would stick with the
Honda fluid. I see no reason not to use it unless your BBK Manufacturer
specifically recommends you use their fluid instead, like in my case.

I've always used Motul or the Valvoline stuff off the shelf with no problems.

So long as you stay with DOT3 fluid, you should be fine. You don't want to mix different DOT fluids though... if you mix DOT 5 with DOT3/4, you will end up causing all sorts of headaches for yourself.

^^ I think that's the issue they're trying to cover with all the dire warnings. Any DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid will be fine.

As for your turkey baster approach, I think that's a good way to deal with the fluid in the master cylinder reservoir but there's about 5 times that volume of fluid distributed through out the system. Go find yourself a MityVac on ebay and do the job all the way. It's a fantastic tool for $30 to $40.


Also, it should be noted that the dire warnings about the power steering fluid must be followed. At very least you need to use a Honda compatible PSF. The regular stuff is not chemically compatible with the materials Honda uses in the seals.

I just found this in Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acura_RL


"In December 2010, certain 2005-2007 model Acura RLs were subject to a safety recall for potential leaking of the brake master cylinder seal.[69] A seal in the brake master cylinder may be susceptible to damage following the use of brake fluid other than the recommended Acura or (Honda) Genuine DOT3 brake fluid. If the seal is damaged, it can result in a brake fluid leak under certain conditions. If a leak should occur, the driver might see a low brake fluid indicator light or a BRAKE FLUID LOW or CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM message. If the driver continues to drive the vehicle after receiving this message without refilling the brake fluid reservoir, it could result in a brake pedal that feels soft or spongy, and may eventually affect braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash. Affected vehicles were to be inspected and repaired, as applicable, at no charge. Reportedly, this recall applied to both 2005-2007 Acura RL and 2005-2007 Honda Odyssey models."

dot 5.1 bleed out when replaceing pads just hit 260k miles never an issue, nonesense

^its not nonsense.
you're using the correct DOT approved fluid for the car.

DOT 5 can cause rubber seals to swell and not seat properly, causing the master cylinder to fail and anything else that has rubber in it.

mate at 260k do you not think it would have failed by now.

sir, you are using DOT 5.1 which is APPROVED!

DOT 5 IS A NO NO!
it can CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE RUBBER SEALS!

DOT 5.1 can be substituted for DOT 3 and 4.

I BELIEVE YOU and am AGREEING WITH YOU.

sorry mate dot 5.1 is what i was useing i didn know there was such thing as two dot 5s

Yes, Honda does not want you to make a "silly" mistake and accidently put in DOT5

so to make it easier, all they said is to use Honda approved brake fluid. which is dot 3 and 4 and dot5.1

good man always learning thanks