Brake fluid is one of those things that's easy to forget about, but it's essential for keeping your car safe and functional. Brake fluid is used in hydraulic systems to provide friction between moving parts, such as brake pads and discs. DOT 3 brake fluid has been around for many years, but DOT 4 has recently become popular due to its longer shelf life and increased resistance to corrosion. The main difference between these two types of hydraulic brake fluids is boiling point: DOT 3 has a lower boiling point than DOT 4 does. However, this difference isn't particularly relevant from an automotive standpoint because both types are typically kept inside the vehicle where they won't reach high enough temperatures for their differences to matter much anyway!
DOT 4 is a hydraulic fluid intended for use in hydraulic brake and hydraulic clutch applications in vehicles and machinery. The "DOT" designation stands for "Department of Transportation", while the "4" refers to the fourth generation of this particular type of brake fluid. It's often used in vehicles with ABS systems, but it can also be found in new cars sold today.
In addition to DOT 4 brake fluid, there are two other types you may need to know about: DOT 5 and DOT 5.1. These fluids have different boiling points than DOT 4 because they're formulated with different additives (including corrosion inhibitors) that make them more resistant to moisture contamination than other types of brake oil; therefore, they're ideal for very hot climates where temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).
As you can see, DOT4 brake fluid is for use in vehicles and machinery, while DOT3 brake fluid is intended for the same purposes. In addition to this, both fluids are mineral oils that don't require any special service or storage conditions; however, if you're using DOT4 brake fluid in your machine, it's important that you keep an eye on its viscosity (or thickness) as it ages. The viscosity will change over time and may become too thick for proper operation of your vehicle or machine.
While the recommended interval for changing brake fluid is every 2 years or 24,000 miles, if your vehicle's ABS or parking brake continually activates when it shouldn't, you should change the fluid immediately. The same applies if there is a leak in the system and fluid is leaking out onto pavement. If you notice that your braking performance has changed from previous experiences with your vehicle, it might be a good idea to have a look at what type of brake fluid is currently in use so that you can determine whether or not it has been contaminated or dirty over time.
You'll need to know where the bleeder screws are located, as they will be very small and difficult to locate. Bleeder screws are tiny metal bits that open or close a valve when you turn them with a flathead screwdriver or pliers.
Next, you will have to remove the tire from your vehicle so that you can access all four corners of each wheel. Use caution when removing tires, as they can be heavy!
Whether you are working with a metal or rubber protective cap or dust cover, use a flathead screwdriver to pry the rubber protective cap or dust cover off of the bleed valve. If it is a metal cap, use a pair of pliers to remove it. If you are using a plastic cap, use your fingers to pry it off.
The first step to changing the oil is recruiting a helper. If you have a friend or family member who can help, that’s great; if not, consider hiring someone from TaskRabbit or Craigslist. Having another person on hand makes this job easier and will make it go faster.
Now that you've got assistance lined up, it's time to get started.
If your car has been sitting for a while and there's no jack under it yet (or if it doesn't have one), now is when you want to put one in place so the vehicle can be lifted safely off of its tires. Be sure not to use an oil-filled hydraulic floor jack! These are designed for raising heavy objects off their bases by extending them upwards before lowering them again—and they're designed specifically with such motion in mind—but this goes against how jacks should be used: they're meant as temporary support equipment rather than permanent ones. Instead of using one of these cheap jacks, invest in an automotive shop quality scissor type lift or even better yet buy yourself one of these fancy hydraulic bottle jacks which are perfect for helping change tires or fix flat ones too!
You'll also need some way of getting under there once the wheels are removed so that you can access those calipers without having them drag along the ground unless necessary (which should only happen when working under extreme duress). So either remove any floor mats from inside your vehicle before starting this process so nothing gets stuck underneath them during removal/installation efforts; move aside anything else
Attach the brake bleeder hose over the bleeder screw and position it in a container containing DOT 4 brake fluid. Use a hose clamp to secure the hose to the bleeder screw, then use a funnel to pour the brake fluid into the brake bleeder hose. Clean up any spills with rags or paper towels.
Step 2 - Place an empty container under each caliper or wheel cylinder, as well as under any rubber lines that will be disconnected.
Make sure the empty container is clear and able to hold at least 500 mL of fluid. Clean up spills immediately using a paper towel or shop rag, as standing fluids may cause damage to painted surfaces or other parts of your car's bodywork if not cleaned immediately.
Fill an old, clear plastic container or glass jar with new DOT 4 brake fluid. Use a funnel to make it easier. Make sure you have enough fluid to complete the job and don't overfill the container. If you use a metal container, it can react with the fluid and ruin it before you even use it!
Here's what you need to know:
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Now that we’ve covered the basics of why DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid are different, let’s take a look at what makes DOT 4 better than its predecessor. First, it has a higher boiling point than DOT 3 so it will resist fading in hotter weather conditions. Second, DOT 4 is less corrosive than Dot 3 because it contains fewer organic vapors than both ethylene glycol (DOT3) and tripropylene glycol (DOT5). This means that you won’t have to worry about your brake fluid damaging sensitive equipment like seals or gaskets over time because they won’t be exposed much longer than if using other types of brake fluids such as those mentioned above which contain more volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Finally there are some other benefits associated with using Dot 4 including: increased lubricity which helps prevent friction wear on moving parts like pistons during braking events; lower viscosity levels which make them easier to pump into hard-to-access locations; better cooling rates when used at high temperatures due to their excellent thermal conductivity properties;"