going to change my brake pads and rotors ,can any one advise me about what is the correct and best brake fluid to use,thank you

 

Should be specified in the vehicle maintenance booklet.

Brake fluid in North America is specified as DOT #. Where # can be 3,4,5. Ignore the word "Super" as that is a marketing term. The DOT # is determined by conformance with very strict tests mandated by the Department of Transportation.

Also stay within the #, as one of the 3,4,5 is a silicone based formulation which is *not* compatible with the other formulations. Can't remember which.

If you are still uncomfortable, you can pick up the Jaguar branded fluid and pay the premium.

 

The Jaguar recommended brake fluid specification for the X308 is ITT Super DOT 4 non-mineral polyglycol based.

It's specification that matters, not brand. Make sure what you buy complies with the above spec and you'll be OK.

Graham

 

DOT 5 is the silicone based fluid, not at all compatible with DOT 3 or 4 as stated.

I believe Graham is correct that Jaguar specifies DOT4 which is available at any car parts store. Brand is irrelevant.

 

Always remember that the classifications are minimum standards and not all the formulations are the same.

Many new car dealers use BG systems and the fluids that they provide -- I flushed mine with the Jaguar fluid -- because I had it. For all my other cars that call for 4 I use the 4e from Mercedes: I know what I am getting and the product is only a couple of dollars over what Pep Boys sells. Always use a fresh bottle.

 

Interesting- would you have any sort of info or data that demonstrates which brands are better in a real world situation?

 

Vincent...any good quality polyglycol brake frluid rated at DOT-4 will suffice.
I personally use Castrol Super DOT-4 but in your area you buy a local quality brand.

Trick is to flush through the entire system every two years....as brake fluid is hygroscopic.
It's cheap insurrance and the Company states every two years in the servic manual....even more important in high humidity areas.

Whatever you do.....DO NOT mix DOT-5 (silicon) brake fluids with other types!

 

Any reason not to use Castrol GTLMA? I have been using it in my other British cars for 15 years and it seems to be popular in the British vehicle community.

 

I don't see why not. It's labeled and marketed as "exceeds Dot 3 and Dot 4 specifications".

LMA has always been a traditional favorite for me as well but nobody in my area keeps it on the shelf. I always have to ask that some been ordered in. No big deal, though.

Cheers
DD

 

thank you, guys

how much fluid I need to get if I am doing a flush?

 

I got a 1 litre pack and used about 800 ml.

Graham

 

what "exactly" the one you guys use, not the spec but the actual brand ?

 

I'm using CASTROL React Performance DOT 4 but wouldn't get too hung up about brand as long as it meets the spec.



Graham

 

GGG,thanks again

 

I use whatever's on sale at the car parts store that meets the OEM specs. Spending more money on popular brand names is no guarantee that they're any better. Buy whatever makes you happy though, same logic as engine oil or gasoline brand.

 

I have had very good luck with ATE Super Blue fluid. It's a "super" DOT 4 fluid like the Castrol Super DOT 4, which does have a somewhat higher boiling point than regular DOT 4 (536 F dry BP for the "super" fluids, 446 F dry BP for regular DOT 4). It is not a silicone base and is compatible with all non-DOT5 fluids. Basically it's the highest boiling point you can get without having to do a flush/re-build to run DOT 5. You can get it at TireRack.

ATE Super Blue Racing Fluid

 

I'm trying to find a good fluid, in stock locally, at a sensible price. It's hard to know which brake fluids are acceptable, and which are superior.

I just drove across town to buy some Pentosin Super DOT 4. (Too bad it wasn't in stock like the guy said it was.) I'm willing to trust Pentosin which is a German company serious about providing quality aftermarket fluids for Jaguars. They make two fluids suitable for Jaguars. For Jaguars they make "Pentosin Super DOT 4". More available is their updated fluid labelled "Pentosin DOT 4 LV (Low Viscosity)" which is required for BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc (not Jaguar) beginning around 2002. Pentosin says it's OK to put Low Viscosity in a system (like Jaguar) designed for normal viscosity. I'd use whichever of those I can get. I'd also use Castrol Response Super DOT 4, if I could find it somewhere.

I'm in westside Los Angeles area, land of luxury cars, and I can't find high-end fluids readily available (probably due to a lack of DIYers). O'Reillys/ Kragen has a DOT 4 on the shelf for $7.50/qt which I'm willing to use in a pinch. O'Reillys/ Kragen sells Pentosin products, but they don't keep much in stock, and only in the back room. I know to avoid DOT 5 silicone fluid. I heard that fresh DOT 3 is actually fine for a DOT 4 system in the short term, only it tends to absorb and get contaminated by water faster, and I'm not forced to gamble with DOT 3.

 

Never heard that before. DOT3 has a lower boiling point than DOT4 which is a bigger concern. Without opening, actually reopening a can or worms, there's no real need for boutique brand brake fluids. As defined above, there's no 'super DOT4' spec. Any DOT4 fluid is good enough in my book.

 

have you tried the super blue brake fluid. i am usingit on my xjr

 

Go to any BMW dealer. The BMW DOT4 brake fluid comes in 1 litre real metal cans which means longer shelf life as compared to plastic bottles. Great stuff. Good price. Always in stock.