BRAKE FLUID
High performance isn’t just about making cars go faster. It’s also about ensuring they stop safely.
Check it. Change it. Trust it.
Never take a break from checking brake fluid. Make it part of every service.
At Castrol, and in Castrol partner workshops, we know high performance isn’t just about making cars go faster.
It’s also about ensuring they stop safely.
But even though brake fluid maintenance should be done as part of the regular vehicle service, 1 in 4 vehicles on the road have been found to have ineffective brake fluid. [1]
The problem is that brake fluid absorbs moisture as it ages. As little as 3.5% water can reduce brake fluid effectiveness by up to 40%. [2]
Castrol Brakes
Check it.
Most manufacturers recommend a brake fluid change every 24 months but at Castrol we suggest checking at every service. Ideally with a professional testing machine.
Change it
Anything over 2.5% water content we’d recommend draining and changing the brake fluid. Over 3% water content and changing is essential.
Trust it
Castrol brake fluids are available in a range of formulations to suit every type of vehicle and driving situation.
Our fluids are engineered to have higher boiling points than standard fluids, providing extra assurance of brake fluid performance.
Giving you, and your customers, confidence that the vehicle can stop safely when out on the road.
Or even out on the racetrack.
Never take a break from checking brake fluid. Make it part of every service.
Check it.
Change it.
Trust it.
* Based on comparison of Castrol portfolio dry boiling point vs. ISO 4925
^ Wet boiling point is temperature at which a dot fluid begins to boil after it has absorbed 3.7% Water by volume (equates roughly to 2 years service).
What do Brake Fluid DOT ratings mean?
All forms of brake fluid are given a DOT rating. DOT simply stands for ‘Department of Transport’, which sets the safety regulations for the acceptable performance of different brake fluids. The DOT ratings given to brake fluids are based on the liquid’s dry and wet boiling points. As a rule of thumb, the higher the boiling point, the longer the lifespan of the brake fluid.
[1] Source: Periodica Polytechnica Transportation Engineering. Operational Tests of Brake Fluid in Passenger Cars, June 2019
[2] Source: Castrol Technical Services data
Castrol DOT 4 brake fluid
Castrol brake fluid DOT 4
A polyglycol type brake fluid formulated to provide extra braking performance under normal driving conditions.
Application
Suitable for use in all brake fluid systems in cars, motorcycles, and light commercial vehicles (LCV’s) requiring either a DOT 3 or DOT 4 product (excluding brake systems where a mineral based fluid is specified).
Features & benefits
- High boiling point easily meets or exceeds U.S. FMVSS DOT 3 and DOT 4 wet/dry specialisation requirements, and offers a performance reserve over brake fluids with lower boiling points.
- High vapour lock temperature – greater protection against brake fluid vaporization.
- Advanced corrosion protection – better protection against corrosion caused by absorbed moisture, that can contribute to lower maintenance costs.
- High temperature stability – provides a greater margin for safety because the product performance will not fade under higher temperatures.
- Rubber swell control – contributes to efficient operation of the braking system components.
- Compatible with all other brake fluids that meet either DOT 3 or DOT 4 Specification.
Industry specifications
- AS/NZS 1960.1 (Grade 2)
- FMVSS Class DOT 4
- SAE J1704
Castrol brake fluid DOT 3
A polyglycol based fluid suitable for use in disc and drum brakes and hydraulic clutch systems where a non-petroleum based DOT 3 fluid is specified.
Application
Recommended where DOT 3 brake fluids are preferred. Certain older Japanese vehicles may stipulate DOT 3 brake fluids.
Features & benefits
- Formulated from mixed polyalkylene glycol esters together with lubricity additives and corrosion inhibitors offering high levels of system protection
- High level of protection against wear.
- Fully compatible with other brake fluids meeting FMVSS 116 DOT 3, DOT 4.
- Proven track record in braking systems over many years of reliable service.
Industry specifications
- Australian Standard AS 1960-1976 Grade 1
- FMVSS Class DOT 3
- SAE J1703
- US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 116 DOT 3
- Ford ESW-FM6C-2
- GM 4563M Type 450
Advanced Performance Series.
Castrol react srf brake fluid
High performance brake fluid
The compressibility of Castrol React SRF Racing is very similar to that of current DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids. It can therefore be filled into any braking system used in motor sport with the exception of those for which a mineral oil is prescribed. It gives a “hard pedal” feel.
Application
For all braking systems where conventional or polyglycol brake fluids are recommended in high performance vehicle and competition applications. Highly recommended for cars used for “Club and Track days”
Features & benefits
- Widely used in racing, from Formula One, sports cars, V8 Supercar and Grand Prix and Superbike motorcycles.
- The exceptionally high dry boiling point (higher than 300°C) makes Castrol React SRF Racing ideal for use under arduous braking conditions such as rallying or racing. It exceeds the boiling point requirements of DOT 5 brake fluids.
- Very high vapour lock point and has the additional advantage of sustaining high vapour lock point characteristics during its service life.
- It is miscible with all conventional fluids meeting the US Federal Standards FMVSS 116 DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1, ISO 4925 and current SAE J1703. This means that changing the brake system to Castrol SRF is easy. Drain and flush out the conventional brake fluid with Castrol SRF then top up the system with Castrol React SRF Racing. Although Castrol React SRF Racing is miscible with conventional brake fluids, topping up Castrol React SRF Racing with conventional brake fluids will reduce the benefits of the product.
- It is compatible with seal rubber and metal materials used in brake systems using conventional polyglycol brake fluids.
- It is similar in viscosity to conventional brake fluids so is easy to bleed like conventional brake fluids.
Industry specifications
Castrol React SRF Racing is suitable for all disc and drum brake systems used in motorsport with the exception of those for which a mineral oil is prescribed. lt complies with the requirements of the following specification:
- US FMVSS 116 DOT 3 and DOT 4.
- SAE J1703.
- ISO 4925.
- Australian Standard 1960 Grade 3
Castrol react performance DOT 4
High performance polyglycol type brake fluid designed to provide superior braking performance in a variety of vehicles, especially those that operate at higher temperatures or under increased loads.
Application
Suitable for use in all brake fluid systems in cars, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles (LCV’s) requiring either a DOT 3, DOT 4 or Super DOT 4 product (excluding those brake systems where a mineral oil based fluid is specified).
Features & benefits
- High boiling point: Exceeds US FMVSS DOT 3 and DOT 4 specification requirements, and offers a performance reserve over brake fluids with lower boiling points.
- High vapour lock temperature: Greater protection against brake fluid vaporization.
- Corrosion protection: Outstanding protection against corrosion caused by absorbed moisture that can cause rusting and failure of components.
- High temperature stability provides a greater margin for safety because product performance will not fade under higher temperatures.
- Controlled viscosity requirements: Under extreme s of temperature and operating conditions, the product will maintain an optimum operating viscosity to ensure greater safety.
- Rubber swell control: Contributes to efficient operation of the braking system components.
- Compatible with all other brake fluids that meet either DOT 3, DOT 4 or Super DOT 4 Specifications.
Industry specifications
- AS/NZS 1960.1.
- FMVSS Class DOT 4
- SAE J1704
Advanced Performance Series
