August 27th, 2005
Calling All Bikers: What is DOT 5 Brake Fluid and Why Do I need It?
By Alice Hill
RealTechNews
I interrupt our tech coverage this weekend with a plea to all the bikers out there. As many of you know, I drive a scooter to work. A massive Honda Helix.
Lately, it has been acting weird when I brake and I took a look at the brake fluid level reservoir indicator which looks empty to me and the lid said ” Use DOT 5 brake Fluid ONLY.” Three auto parts store later and I can’t find it anywhere.
So my question/plea: What on earth is DOT5, do I really need it for Helix scooter, will I die in a fireball if a continue to ride with low fluid? Help!
Uhhhhh says:
Google it you douche.
August 27th, 2005 at 12:38 am
Tex says:
Google is your friend:
http://www.xs11.com/tips/maintenance/maint1.shtml
http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/brakefluid1a.htm
Try a scooter or motorcycle shop. Good luck. And don’t mix fluids.
August 27th, 2005 at 12:39 am
Alice says:
I did. I got a million links about cars and silicon fluids and braking systems on cars, tha just didn’t really help me. I was hoping a biker could help me out, because we have smart people on the site with better advice than random links.
August 27th, 2005 at 12:43 am
Alice says:
Let me try again: can someone just asnwer this. If I own a scooter, do I need Dot 5 or can I substitue. That’s all. I can read 50 white papers - juts looking for a smart biker who can break it down for me. Otherwsie, I’ll do the research.
August 27th, 2005 at 12:46 am
parts guy says:
you should stick with dot 5. if you want to use dot three, then you would have to flush the whole system with dot 3 to get the dot 5 out. dot 5 has a higher boiling point and moisture resistance blah, blah, blah…
August 27th, 2005 at 12:59 am
Steve Johnson says:
DOT 5 is silicone-based, whereas DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 are all glycol based. DOT 5 will not mix with the others, and will cause coagulation to occur. DOT 5 is probably your best bet for general purpose riding driving, because it repels water and allows you to go longer without exchanges.
It really doesn’t matter that much between motorcycles, scooters, and cars. Just about all braking systems work under the same concept. It’s only when you get into racing and performance that you might want to switch over to the gycol fluids for better heat resistance.
August 27th, 2005 at 1:26 am
Nagaru says:
I would stick with dot 5 which is silicone based and does not absorb water and boils at a higher temperature. If your brake fluid is low and you have disk brakes you should check your pads couse they may be worn out. Good Luck.
August 27th, 2005 at 2:11 am
Mike says:
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=performMoreDetail&Parameters=TRUE%7C%7EBrake+Fluid%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ERussell+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++DOT+5+Brake+Fluid%3B+Single+Bottle%3B%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7E346448%7C%7E1831%7C%7E671441%7C%7ENONE%7C%7E%2414.99%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7E0.76%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EV%7C%7EEDM%7C%7Etrue
my lord what a link - well autozone has DOT5 - if you have an autozone out there, or else I guess you can order on the web at that link above.
hope it helps
Mike
August 27th, 2005 at 4:11 am
Atrocity says:
Try the Honda Dealer moron.
August 27th, 2005 at 5:16 am
Alice says:
Thanks everyone. I found some places that sell Dot 5 online. I also Googled Augtozone and they are not in San Francisc,o but in Oakland and Richmond, which means the freeway. I tried the Helix on the freeway once. Keyword: once, so a simple online order will do. I will call the local scooter/motorcycle shop as well - they don’t open until after I’m at work, but it sounds like it is a trip worth making. I am SO glad I wasn’t dumb and juts figured Dot 4 or 5 could be replaceable. Thanks to all!
We now resume our technology coverage.
August 27th, 2005 at 8:59 am
eric says:
the Helix is a cool scoot, definite classic. A saw one going down Stoney Point in Sonoma County a month or so ago. Seems to me it would be more suitable to this kinda of open road crusing -due to length and weight, than as a city bike.
There has got to be a Helix user group online where you can get some quick tips, as opposed to the equiv. of the linux ‘man’ command :-/
August 27th, 2005 at 12:46 pm
A Bike Mechanic says:
You need it because your braking system was designed for silicone based fluid. Dot 3 or 4 may expand seals in your master or brake cylinders and cause malfunction.
August 27th, 2005 at 4:15 pm
J Moo says:
Another thing to keep in mind - why did the brake fluid level go down in the first place? Keep close watch on the fluid level over the next few days. If you see the level decrease, you have a leak and need to get it fixed asap.
August 27th, 2005 at 8:23 pm
Andy says:
First, an explanation on dot-5 brake fluid. There are different kinds of brake fluid, and the are almost always called dot-something. (Just like there was a time when every conenctor on the back of a PC case was called a DB-something.) There’s dot-3, dot-4, and dot-5 that I know of. Dot-5 is the modern standard (I’ve used dot-5 in every car I’ve ever owned, as that was what the manual demanded.)
I’m surprised that the local auto parts stores do not carry dot 5 brake fluid. Are you sure they don’t have it, and that the moron behind the counter didn’t just get confused? You cannot find an auto parts store that does not have dot-5 brake fluid in Texas. Every convenince store (e.g., every 7-11) has dot-5 brake fluid for sale.
Is there a PDRK (People’s Democratic Republic of Kalifornia) law against brake fluid? I know they’ve banned everything else that make modern life possible. (Warning: Flame Ahead) He he he … The PDRK thought it was the government’s fault that so many Rolex watches were being stolen, so they passed a law forcing every Rolex owner to register their wrist watch, instead of prosecuting the criminals. He he he … They got all worried about .50 BMG caliber rifles, so they banned them, despite the fact that there was only one crime in the history of the USA comitted with a .50 BMG rifle, and that was by a cop who used a police department’s weapon. Now the weapons manufacturers refuse to provide support for the PDRK’s police weapons. He he he … The PDRK decided to not build any more power plants, and were amazed when the brownouts and blackouts hit. He he he … They turned every cop into a politically correct moron who felt everyone’s pain, and could not even throw a coke can into the air, draw his pistol, and hit it, then they were surprised when a few common criminals outgunned their touchy-feely police. He he he … They have taxes so high that nobody can afford to live in the PDRK, then they are shocked when everyone moves to Nevada. He he he … They have the most absurd regulations in the world on gasoline (reformualtion, ethanol, etc.) and then they blame the oil companies when their gas prices go up. The PDRK accounts for more than half of the 150+ different formulations of gas that the oil companies have to keep straight, and then they get all upset when the cost to refine all those different varieties goes through the roof. If the PDRK would stop their ignroant demands about a different reformulation of gasoline for every country, the oil companies could get back to refining the best gas at the best price, and the price of gas nation wide would drop $0.30 in 2 weeks.
Andy Out!
August 27th, 2005 at 10:59 pm
Alice says:
You guys are the best and literal lifesavers. Thank you SO much and great to learn something in the process too. I love having such a smart readership. (although the rude posters should be respectful of how we act here please.)
August 28th, 2005 at 12:54 pm
Andy says:
Hint taken.
Andy Out!
August 28th, 2005 at 2:12 pm
sewiv says:
For future reference, DOT 5 is standard on new Harleys, so any Harley dealership should carry it. You get to pay Harley prices for it, but in an emergency what’s an extra couple of bucks?
Ditto on the “find out why it’s leaking” and “never mix DOT 5 with any other brake fluid” comments, too.
DOT 5 is purple. Bright artificially colored purple. No other brake fluid is. Makes it easy to tell if you’re about to dump the wrong one in.
August 29th, 2005 at 6:34 am
Vic says:
DOT 5 doesn’t absorb water. Water in brake fluid can turn to steam when heated up from braking, this can lead to ‘mushy brakes’, a potential problem with DOT 3 and Dot 4 fluids. DOT 5 is used in some Auto’s and Harleys and should be easily available.
Don’t mix fluids.
If you’re fluid level is dropping look for a leak, brake fluid doesn’t evaporate. The fluid column will naturally drop as your brake pads wear, you might need a brake job.
August 29th, 2005 at 7:12 am
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July 28th, 2006 at 11:02 am
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November 27th, 2007 at 3:56 pm