Hi, I have a 2007 CR-V. The manual says I must use Honda heavy duty Dot 3 break fluid or it will cause damage if I don't. However, I've seen many people on various websites saying you can use another brand of Dot 3 or even Dot 4 fluid. I've heard Honda's are sensitive about what fluid you use. On the cap of the reservoir it actually just says only put dot 3 or dot 4. So what do you think Scotty? Can I use another brand of Dot 3 or even a Dot 4 without damaging a Honda?
Going based on the owners manual for my civic it explicitly says to only use the Honda brake fluid so I would suggest you go with the Honda brake fluid.
This is the exact wording from the civic owners manual "If the specified brake fluid is not available, you should
use only DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid from a sealed
container as a temporary replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion
and decrease the longevity of the system. Have the
brake system flushed and refilled with Honda Heavy
Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as soon as possible."
My manual says the exact same thing. I was wondering Scotty's opinion or perhaps someone who has a lot of experience working on Hondas because sometimes these warnings are legit and sometimes they are just to get your to buy the part or fluid from the manufacturer. The consensus I seemed to see around the internet was you should always use honda atf and ps fluid but with brake it wasn't necessary. Wondering if that is true or not.
so the OEM brake fluid is nothing expensive that would create huge profit for them; worst case I've seen was maybe a couple dollars more than a general brand. So when there isn't a huge price difference I don't see any logical reason for not just using what the owners manual says. I've been a Honda owner for a long time and I haven't gone bankrupt from using their brake fluid or even oil filter.
Totally agree that it's not much more, but I'd probably have it done by someone else and not myself. So it's a matter of taking it to the dealer vs. a much cheaper garage or independent mechanic that would use aftermarket fluid. There gets to be a larger cost difference in this situation.
you don't necessarily have to take it to the dealership for them to use oem fluid. If you know your independent mechanic you can ask them to use oem fluid and if they are honest they would only charge you for labor and the cost of the oem fluid which again isn't much more than aftermarket fluid. I have personally even bought the oem fluid and gave it to my mechanic and he used it and only charged me for labor.
Good point. Didn't think of that!