Dejan

I am about to bleed my brakes and put in new fluid and want to know what brake fluid is everyone using in their 4G?

The manual says to use Honda DOT 3 fluid. It says other DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluids can be used, but only in a temporary situation or they can cause corrosion and decrease the life of the system. Is that really true?

Also does anyone know what size the brake nipples are, I want to buy some plastic tubing to build myself a flushing bottle.

Also does anyone know what order to bleed the brakes in?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

as long as the brake fluid does not contain silcone, you'll be fine...
the Only fluid that has silicone is DOT 5....
DO NOT USE DOT 5.


DOT 3, DOT4 and DOT 5.1 are okay!
but you should go by what Honda says and just use DOT 3

Dejan

Thanks justnspace. Also I forgot to ask, how much brake fluid will I need approximately?

MenacerX686

Bleeding Brake Order:
1. Left Front
2. Right Front
3. Right Rear
4. Left Rear

I bought a 32oz Valvoline Dot 3/Dot 4 and used almost all of it. If you want to stick with Honda Brake Fluid, I recommend you buy 3 12oz bottles but you might be able to get away with 2 bottles instead.

I bought a product call "Victor Fluid Pump" at my local Auto Zone for $2.99 and used only the tube. It fit the brake nipple with a perfect snug.

Good luck!

Anicra

My other cars I would use ATE amber or blue however the blue would stain and/or Amsoil 500/600. However I think Honda likes you to feel that the only option is their DoT3 fluid. For now I follow it and I use their brake fluid. Like Crabperson said dont use the DoT5. Always felt there is a slight 'feel' difference between certain brands. Here is an interesting table I stumbled on https://www.lelandwest.com/brake-flu...ow=1&SF=3&ST=2

I say use the Honda brake fluid until you get the overwhelming urge to try something else or save money.

csmeance

unless you are driving at the extremes (downhill braking all the time, racing, etc) DOT3 vs 4 vs 5.1 won't matter.

The difference is the boiling points of the fluid. If you haven't boiled your DOT3 fluid you'll be fine with the honda stuff.

The brake bleeder kit from harbor freight is $20 on sale and works well, just your hands get tired from pumping the vac trigger.

I used to alternate between ATE blue and honda fluid so I could see the color difference during the changes however I haven't been able to get it locally for the past 2-3 years so I've stuck with honda fluid.

3 Bottles should be more than enough to flush the system.

VanyDotK

iTrader: (6)

I use Motul 5.1

Reorge

Any name brand newly flushed Dot 3 fluid is more than adequate. As already mentioned the main difference is the fluids is the boiling point and silicone or non-silicone based. TL cannot use silicone based. And if you ride your brakes hard enough to create heat to boil new Dot 3 fluid you've probably warped your rotors. The boiling point of brake fluid will lower over time by absorbing humidity (water) out of the air. So if this concerns you flush your fluid every couple of years, which is what Honda/Acura recommends anyway.

Dejan

Thanks for the info guys.

My main concern is not boiling, but freezing. I have had my brakes freeze on me and the pedal refused to go down.

My fluid was changed 2 years ago by the honda dealer but I am not sure whether they actually bleed the brakes, I wouldn't be surprised if they just sucked out the fluid from the reservoir then added new fluid, which would leave water and/or air in the brake lines.

Reorge

Freeze? Wow. Any reputable mechanic can flush your brake system. Actually I would prefer and independent mechanic to perform such simple service, they can be much less expensive. A brake system flush is defined as flushing the lines until fresh fluid is seen exiting the bleeder valve at each wheel. And I wouldn't trust a dealer if they said the sun is coming up tomorrow.

jim_c

Thanks to the posters for the info here.
Just to be a bit nit-picky, one thing that is odd is that various writers say that the fluid will boil and create air in the brake lines. I guess what they mean is that boiling brake fluid will create vapours or gases (which will be compressible like air is). It might be vaporized brake fluid per se or it might be gaseous products of decomposition of the fluid, but it's not "air".
Jim

jim_c

Yes, brake fluid combined with absorbed water can freeze on a cold Canadian morning. It will melt fairly quickly and act normally after a few hard attempts at stopping.
My feeling is that if you are a normal driver, not a racer, not a track racer, not a crazy aggressive driver, then this concern about frequent (i.e. annual) brake fluid flushing is way overblown.
I am not saying don't do it. It's an easy job. I just think it's not needed as often as the dealers want you to believe.
I had an Integra for 13 years 225,000 km and never changed the brake fluid once. I could never detect any issues with the braking of the vehicle.
My TL is 6+ years old at 110,000 km and is on the original brake fluid. It (the fluid, not the TL!) looks pale yellow almost colourless and there is no issue with the braking.
Jim

meowmeows

Any particular reason for this order? I thought brakes were typically bled furthest from the master cylinder first, not closest.

thisaznboi88

iTrader: (7)

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline...z-6pc/19897941

valvoline

or if you have the extra money ATE superblue

Anicra

Ya I would have to agree, That's what I was taught back in the day

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I think it's a Honda/Acura thing.
if I follow conventional bleeding order, I will get air in lines and pedal will be spongy.

if I follow the service manuals bleeding order, I can get all the air out in 1 go!

and believe me, i stayed up many a nights trying to bleed the brakes before work in the morning, lol

nist7

This one? : Brake Bleeder and Vacuum Pump Kit

I'll likely be doing a brake fluid flush in my car in next few months and wanted to see what other people recommend for a 1-person bleeder kit. Any other bleeder kit recommendations?

Reorge

I have a one man brake bleeder from Mityvac (MV6835) that uses compressed air to create a vacuum to suck the brake fluid from the bleeder. It stopped working after one use. I had to take it apart and found one of the air fittings didn't have sealant on it and it leaked air (no vacuum). I put Teflon tape on the fitting and reassembled. It worked great after the repair. Per internet research this is a common problem with their brake bleeders. The Mityvac bleeder is a well designed and manufactured unit except for the assembly flaw I found that rendered it unusable.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Lol no sarcasm, that was a great story.

Ironic wasn't it? That they couldn't get a seal right

acupower

I would stick with DOT 3 as per the manual. All brake fluids (except DOT 5) are hygroscopic but the fluids with higher boiling points are typically more hygroscopic. That means they will absorb water faster and you would need to flush your system more often. Having said that I used Motul DOT 5.1 last time when I got the boy-racer fever. Now, 2 years later and being a much more mature individual, I will be replacing it with DOT 3.