Brake fluids
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
Brake Fluids
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.
Specifications/Approvals
- 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.
Specifications/Approvals
- 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 Racing
Castrol React SRF Racing brake fluid is a high performance brake fluid of special value in competitive motorsport where extreme braking conditions are encountered. It has been especially formulated to maximise braking performance under arduous competitive conditions. In order to achieve the optimum benefits in such applications, patented silicon ester materials have been employed in a unique Castrol formulation. It is suitable for all disc and drum brake systems used in motorsport with the exception of those for which a mineral oil is prescribed.
Features & benefits
- Race Proven: Widely used in racing, from Formula One, sports cars, V8 Supercar and Grand Prix and Superbike motorcycles
- High Boiling point – exceeds the boiling point requirements of DOT 5 brake fluids
- High Vapour Lock Point.
Specifications/Approvals
- JASO JIS K2233 Class 4
- US FMVSS 116 DOT 3 and DOT 4
- SAE J1703
- ISO 4925 Class 4
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.
Specifications/Approvals
- AS/NZS 1960.1.
- FMVSS Class DOT 4
- SAE J1704
Advanced Performance Series
