Crossing the country “from the southern mountains to the northern seas” during the examination of gasoline, it was also a sin not to evaluate the range of goods in shops at gas stations. It was then that the idea was born to chase two rabbits right away - with an eye to the future brake fluid test. So they did.
Such a device will evaluate the degree of moisture in the liquid fuel and give a signal about the need to replace it. Under one condition: initially it is necessary to adjust it according to the reference sample of a specific liquid and in no case then touch it! That is, to prevent the neighbor in the garage from using it, to play with the child, etc. Otherwise, the calibration can be restored only if there is a supply of the brake in a tightly sealed bottle. Such a device will evaluate the degree of moisture in the liquid fuel and give a signal about the need to replace it. Under one condition: initially it is necessary to adjust it according to the reference sample of a specific liquid and in no case then touch it! That is, to prevent the neighbor in the garage from using it, to play with the child, etc. Otherwise, the calibration can be restored only if there is a supply of the brake in a tightly sealed bottle. Today, buying hydraulic fluid is not a problem. You just need to look into the “primer” attached to the car in order to find out which manufacturer recommends it (for example, DOT 4), and then choose the bottle you like. Of these, we easily scored nearly two dozen - domestic and foreign. Anonymous samples were transferred to a specialized laboratory for testing physico-chemical properties. In addition, we decided to evaluate the appearance of the acquisitions, their mass or volume (from whom it is stated), and also check the electrical conductivity. For those who are not interested in the nuances, we inform you right away: only 10 samples did not raise any questions either from us or from the experts. Choose a product on the photo that has escaped comments, and go to the store. For the rest, we offer details.
WHAT WE BRAKE
We checked the honesty of the manufacturers. It turned out, not in vain: some generously set up filling machines for filling “with a bonus”, others were greedy, not having up to 10% of the goods! However, we always thought: it’s better to underfill than to loose. Alas, two brakes in the cold thickened almost ten times stronger than permissible! Whether you sell this pedal or not, we don’t know. And we don’t even comment on what the boiling point failed at 15 ° can lead to! As usual, the research results do not refer to the brand as a whole, but only to those samples that we selectively bought with editorial tools as ordinary customers. Our opinion on each is stated in the signatures. Those who are interested in specific indicators will find them in a table where the liquids are arranged in alphabetical order. They decided not to quote prices: this time they walked from 110 to 560 rubles per liter, and this was influenced not only by the brand’s eminence, but also by the point of sale. The steeper the store considers itself, the more threatening the price tag … Therefore, do not be surprised if the same product in different places is sold with a double spread of value. Curious is the line in the table about sealing bottles with foil under the cork. This, firstly, improves the tightness (it is very important for hygroscopic brake fluids), and secondly, it complicates the very localization. But without foil, the products of such masters as Castrol or, say, Mobil! It is not otherwise that the “greats” have their own view on water absorption …
RESULTS OF MEASUREMENTS AND TESTS OF BRAKE FLUID DOT 4
The table opens in full size at the click of the mouse.
QUESTION ANSWER
Why does brake fluid change color over time?
In the process, there is strong heating and oxidation of the liquid. This leads to darkening of the product. The second reason is the interaction with rubber parts at high temperature. And the third is the ingress of corrosion and wear products.
Are modern brake fluids interchangeable?
The ideal option is not to interfere with one another. Ancient liquids such as BSK (a mixture of butyl alcohol and castor oil) are not discussed at all. But modern TJs differ from each other: say, DOT 5 is made on a silicone basis (SBBF), and DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5.1 - on glycolic (NSBF), or rather, on a mixture of glycols and their esters. Such a liquid does not mix with silicone. DOT 3, 4, 5.1 glycol liquids can be mixed with each other, but no one has conducted field trials of such mixtures. If the manufacturer on the label indicates that this fluid is mixed with other quality compounds of the same classification, then it thereby assumes warranty obligations.
Is it possible to use, say, DOT 3 in a modern car?
There are cases when motorsports were forced to fill even the water in the brake reservoir. Of course, this is permissible only in a hopeless situation, when you just need to get there at all costs, albeit slowly. So it is here: such a replacement is justified only in a critical situation - if you forget about speed. The boiling point of DOT 3 is lower than that of DOT 4, and designers, in an effort to reduce the size of the brake mechanisms, are laying ever higher permissible temperatures. Tip: use only the grade of TJ specified by the vehicle manufacturer.
Why brake fluids, as a rule, do not have the approval of automobile manufacturers? What do the DOT inscriptions mean?
Unfortunately, DOT inscriptions, as a rule, do not say anything. Manufacturers claim that their liquids comply with the standard of the American Department of Transportation FMVSS 116 DOT 4, but on no packaging there are references to approval, for example, by Volkswagen or Ford. All car companies only indicate compliance with DOT, SAE, ISO or JIS standards. To confirm that liquids actually meet these standards, it is necessary to conduct a full range of tests in a certified laboratory (for example, ABIC, USA). But, unlike the same oils, it is economically disadvantageous, since the consumption of TJ is much more modest than oil. - Usually the service book prescribes the replacement of TG every 60 thousand km. How necessary is it? Brake fluids are hygroscopic, and therefore, over time, their boiling point drops. After two to three years, it drops to about 150–170 ° C, which can cause air jams and, as a result, brake system failure. In “wetted” liquids, the low-temperature viscosity will also increase sharply in winter. Will increase in the presence of moisture and corrosiveness. At worst, you should at least add fresh TJ.
WHAT AND WHY CHECKED
The boiling point of the “dry” liquid. It determines the working capacity of the initial fluid without the formation of air jams in brake systems with high operating temperatures. A higher boiling point of the “dry” liquid indirectly indicates a longer permissible period of replacement of the liquid. The boiling point of the “moistened” liquid. Shows what the boiling point will be at the end of the operation period of the liquid fuel (approximately after one and a half to two years). This is the minimum indicator at which the brakes are working properly. With further “wetting” (or a mismatch of this indicator with the required one), the formation of air jams will begin, the pedal will fall into the floor - the right way to an accident …
LTHS100 allows you to determine the boiling point of "dry" and "moistened" liquids
LTHS100 allows you to determine the boiling point of "dry" and "moistened" liquids. LTHS100 allows you to determine the boiling point of "dry" and "moistened" liquids. Kinematic viscosity at 100 ° C. It limits the use of more fluid components to guarantee a certain hydraulic resistance and eliminate possible leaks at the seals and joints of the brake system. Kinematic viscosity at –40 ° C. Maximum viscosity at which the brakes ensure ride safety. After it, the TJ becomes very viscous, because of the high hydraulic resistance it will not be possible to quickly push the pedal.
Cryothermostat with a viscometer to determine the kinematic viscosity of the TJ. Curved glass tube - capillary viscometer
Cryothermostat with a viscometer to determine the kinematic viscosity of the TJ. Curved glass tube - capillary viscometer. Cryothermostat with a viscometer to determine the kinematic viscosity of the TJ. Curved glass tube - capillary viscometer. The activity index of hydrogen ions: pH. The medium is acidic, neutral or alkaline. Acidic medium is not allowed: its presence is fraught with corrosion. Alkaline is harmful to rubber. The manufacturer selects a pH from neutral to slightly alkaline in order to achieve maximum compatibility of the fluid with the materials of the brake system.
Mettler Toledo - pH meter, used to determine the activity index of hydrogen ions
Mettler Toledo - pH meter, used to determine the activity index of hydrogen ions. Mettler Toledo - pH meter, used to determine the activity index of hydrogen ions. Electrical conductivity. The parameter is not standardized, but is often measured by rapid analysis of TJ. The principle is simple: the conductivity of a “dry” liquid increases when water is added. Attention: the initial electrical conductivity of all TJs is different! Therefore, in order to use a special tester to check the TJ, you must either have a sealed bottle in stock with exactly the same contents, or, pouring fresh into the tank, immediately measure and record the value of its electrical conductivity in memory.
BRAKE FLUID
Samples are in random order.
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1. Castrol
The declared manufacturer “BP Europe” The absolute accuracy of the dosage inspired confidence that the rest of the technological processes were just as accurately verified. Indeed: all indicators are normal, and with a margin. The only surprise was that the bottle was not sealed with foil.
2. FELIX Professional
Declared manufacturer Tosol-Synthesis-Invest, Russia Here, underfilling was within 3%, which is permissible according to GOST 8.579–2002. Viscosity in the cold is exceeded very slightly. So we will not throw a stone at a domestic manufacturer.
3. Hi-Gear HG7044
Approved manufacturer Hi-Gear Products, USA Perfectly accurate packaging. All indicators are normal, and temperatures coincide with the established limits to almost a degree. One would like to ask about the margin of safety, but it is inconvenient to cling to a quality product.
4. EXTRA
The declared manufacturer of PKF “PROMPEC”, Russia Not having completed 27 g can be forgiven, but in frost the liquid thickens more than the standards allow. Will such an excess of viscosity pass without consequences for driving?
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1. NIAGARA
Declared manufacturer of PKF NIAGARA, Russia Apparently, the manufacturer was summed up with a damn dozen grams: the boiling point of the moistened liquid was dropped by 10 °. And viscosity in frost increases so much that it is inconvenient to recall the requirements of the standard.
2. Pentosin Super
The declared manufacturer Deutsche Pentosin-Werke, Germany Excellent performance with a solid margin of DOT 4 standards. And a small bonus - 3 ml for free.
3. Mobil
Declared manufacturer ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties, EC All the promised 500 ml in place, all degrees there, all centistokes are aged. What is there to add? Just regret that the neck is not sealed with foil. It seems that the famous manufacturers have it in the order of things.
4. LUXE Green Line
The declared manufacturer "Delfin Industry", Russia All physico-chemical parameters of this brake fluid are normal, with the exception of … mass. Well, forgive the "evaporated" 22 g?
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1. SINTEC Euro
Declared manufacturer Obninskorgsintez, Russia Interestingly, the packaging shows boiling points that significantly exceed the requirements of the standard. But really, and they are exceeded! Special thanks for the free gram of a great product.
2. SINTEC Super
The declared manufacturer Obninskorgsintez, Russia Here, with the promised temperatures on the bottle, they got a little excited. But compared with the requirements of the standard, everything is more than in order, there is even a noticeable margin. Lack of 3 g, of course, is excusable.
3. TCL
The claimed manufacturer Tanikawa Yuka Kogyo Company, Japan All parameters are normal. True, there is no stock on the boiling point of the “moistened” liquid. But there is an extra 6 ml - to the strait when topping up. The neck is not sealed.
4. ROSDOT 4 Life Safety
The claimed manufacturer of Tosol-Synthesis-Invest, Russia. Everything is wonderful, this liquid will not fail, and the words about safety are to her face. True, according to Russian tradition, 11 g is not enough, but this is within the permissible limits of the law. In a word, offset!
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1. TUTELA TOP 4
Declared manufacturer Petronas Lubricants, Italy Well, why promise the impossible - boiling at 300 ° C? After all, everything is wonderful, and this is the record holder in terms of the boiling temperature of the “moistened” liquid! Packing a tyutelka in a tyutelka.
2. UNiX “Dzerzhinskaya”
The declared manufacturer of PCF "SV-Chem", Russia It’s not so, gentlemen, businessmen! The boiling point of the “moistened” liquid is failed by 11 °, the viscosity in frost is exceeded by 10 times. Yes, and 13 grams is not enough.
3. VITEX
The declared manufacturer of PKF Promkompleks, Russia What can I say good? In the “moistened” state, this liquid will boil 4 ° earlier than it should be, in frost it is twice as thick as it should. And finally, where are our paid 30 g?
4. TOTAL HBF 4
The claimed manufacturer of Total Lubrifiants, France It is amazing - how did the bank get to us without a single Russian letter on the label? But if we talk about the parameters, then they are all normal, and with a large margin. In addition, it is the most easily flowing liquid in the cold. Yes, and 4 ml on top - excellent! But the neck is not sealed.
