Stan944

Is ATE blue brake fluid DOT approved? In other words, could somebody give me a hard time during an inspection of a street car?
I understand that the blue fluid is less likely to boil, but are there any downsides? Is the recommended temperature range same as regular fluid? (it gets quite cold in winter here in Ontario).
Thanks, Stan

Z-man

Stan:
I am pretty sure it is DOT approved. Even if it wasn't, how would they check? I've never had a problem, and have been using it for nearly two years.

From my understanding, ATE Blue is a little more hydroscopic (I think that's the term) meaning it attracts water quicker than the standard brake fluids. This means you need to bleed your brakes a little more often.

But it definately helps minimize brake fade on the track.

Just my $0.42,
-Z.

odie

if it's more hydroscopic then don't use it. any performance benefit is way out weighed by the increased chance of corrosion in the brake system.

I'm sure that the stuff Porsche originally used is quite sufficient. They expect their cars to be driven hard and the OEM stuff they selected will be sufficient for all but serious/heavy track duty...which would void any warranty and liability.

Use the least hydroscopic fluid you can get. But synthetic (Dot 5 I believe) in non-synthetic systems is a no-no.

M758

I have heard it not DOT legal, That is why they make he yellow stuff. Same formula, but a DOT legal color.

Sounds strange, but that is what I have heard. I doubt and one would give you a hard time about it however.

Ahmet

ATE superblue is the same fluid as their "gold" brake fluid, just different color, as per ATE. Their spec is way above the DOT specs, I would use it w/out a second thought (and do).

I also believe that the ATE superblue represents the best value/performance out there. Compared to any other brake fluid out there that's a significantly higher spec compared to the "regular" brake fluid, it's need to be flushed is perfectly acceptable, unlike pretty much anything w/a higher wet boiling point.
Ahmet

Matt H

Actually, AFAIK, they make the yellow so that when you bleed you know when you have all the old fluid out. I.e. bleed them until it bleeds yellow, next time switch.
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Matt H

Damn, Ahmet beat me to it!
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Matt H

A few quick searches will tell you that Super Blue exceeds DOT4 specs. I would also recommend Motul, I have used it in numerous bikes.
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Brian McCoy

The term is hygroscopic, FWIW... and DOT5 is silicone based, not synthetic. Don't be confused by the numbering though as DOT 5.1 is the same, and compatable with, DOT 3/4. ALL glycol based (DOT3/4/5.1) brakes fluids are hygroscopic to some point and you'll need to flush all systems every couple of years if you rely on the brakes and want to kep excessive fade at bay.

Z-man

That's why I said that ATE Super Blue is a little more hydroscopic. All brake fluids attract water. (Sorry if my original thread wasn't clear).

-Z.

Stan944

If it's sufficient to flush it once a year - no big deal with more "hyg/droscopic", :-). And yes, the color change would definitely make the bleeding easier.

ninefiveone

Whether ate is more or less hygroscopic, it has a higher wet boiling point than most brake fluids available, including the oem. Which means you can get away with flushing it less often. Ate's wet boiling point is actually higher than some oem fluids' DRY wet boiling point.

It's a very low maintenance fluid and just as ideal for street cars that don't get flushed often as it is for track cars that require better performance.

goalkeeper21

The DOT brake fluid is fine, The US Postal Service uses it in all their cars.

Matt H

You must never have seen those vehicles up close! The mainentance on the ones I used to work on was AWFUL. Further, the mail Jeep is a little less likely to see spirited driving.
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goalkeeper21

Oh I totally agree with you on how poorly maintained they are. I work on them for my summer job and I hate them. My point though was the DOT fluid is legal and he can put that in his car. You took my point totally the wrong way. Sorry if you misunderstood that.