Hi Scotty & Mods,
Car: Lexus IS220D Year: 2006
I bought Dot5.1 from Lexus here in the UK and my mechanic flushed (some) of the DOT3 and replaced with the 5.1. Am I gonna die?. Is my ABS system damaged?.
The Lexus & Toyota supplier I use in the UK only sell the 5.1, and I've read this site multiple times: https://brakeshub.com/dot-3-vs-dot-4-vs-dot-5-1-brake-fluid/#faq-question-1681397163200 and it specifically says "Don't mix 3, 4, and 5.1. And don't use 5.1 on cars with ABS".
I started taking my Catholic faith more seriously a few years ago, and maybe my guardian angel has been looking out for me, but I don't wanna push it.
Trying to laugh at this stuff, but unless I'm mistaken, it puts everyone at risk.
Thanks,
Well you didn't mix the fluid, you replaced it. But I would be worried about the ABS part. Just do it again it's not that big a job.
Am I gonna die?
No.
Is my ABS system damaged?
No.
I've read this site multiple times: https://brakeshub.com/dot-3-vs-dot-4-vs-dot-5-1-brake-fluid/#faq-question-1681397163200 /a> and it specifically says "Don't mix 3, 4, and 5.1. And don't use 5.1 on cars with ABS".
The people at that site are confused. They're talking about DOT5 which is silicone-based and is not compatible with DOT3 or DOT4 fluids. DOT5.1 is compatible with the earlier fluids.
Rather than from some random internet site, here it is direct from the horse:
https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en-eur/vehicle-maintenance-brake-fluid/
(That's from Valvoline, a leading manufacturer of brake fluid.)
The part most pertinent to your concern is:
...a braking system that has a brake fluid DOT 3 specification can use a DOT 4 or a DOT 5.1 fluid.
I started taking my Catholic faith more seriously a few years ago, and maybe my guardian angel has been looking out for me, but I don't wanna push it.
None of this has anything to do with religion one way or the other.
Posted by: @alex-g
Trying to laugh at this stuff, but unless I'm mistaken, it puts everyone at risk.
No, it is not putting anyone at risk.
I had researched this properly years ago and got the correct answer from the Lexus guys, but then I needed more and couldn't remember, so just found that site first quoted and started hyperventilating like an idiot.
Always bear in mind that Sturgeon's law applies to the internet.
DOT5 which is silicone-based
Except that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards defines DOT 5.1 as containing "less than 70% silicone" so there could still be some, which would make it perform worse with ABS.
Brake fluids that are compatible with ABS (which requires a certain viscosity profile -- 750 mm2/s viscosity at −40 °C (−40 °F) requirement of ISO 4925 class 6) indicate it on the bottle with appropriate wording or suffixes like "ESP" etc.
Seems like the standards regulation is pretty loose.
Thanks for the replies. I had researched this properly years ago and got the correct answer from the Lexus guys, but then I needed more and couldn't remember, so just found that site first quoted and started hyperventilating like an idiot.
All credit where it's due to the Lexus guys and yourselves. Thanks again.