Brake fluid sludge

[cn90]

This is why I always suck the old fluid out first.

Then fill the reservoir with either:

1. Blue ATE fluid (which is no longer available).

2. Regular generic DOT4 fluid from local store (such as BrakeBest brand from OReilly). I have used BrakeBest DOT4 fluid for > 10 years in my Volvos, BMWs without any issues.

[DriverX]

Is there any detriment to having the blue stain? It sure would have helped me figure out when the transition from old fluid to new fluid was,

[cn90]

Blue is just a colorant.
Similar to washer fluid, Gatorade etc.

[DriverX]

Good to hear, thanks for the reply. I think I will try to find the blue kind for next flush, to make sure I do it properly.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by DriverX

Good to hear, thanks for the reply. I think I will try to find the blue kind for next flush, to make sure I do it properly.

Unfortunately, that "blue kind" is no longer available in the good US of A - thanks to our stupid regulations

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by dkl

Unfortunately, that "blue kind" is no longer available in the good US of A - thanks to our stupid regulations

The few unopened containers you do find... are like $100+ for ATE Blue. It's crazy. At the risk of sounding like a conservative (a favorite disclaimer of mine ) US regulators think everyone are idiots. Honestly, 99% of people willing to add brake fluid to their cars... already know what and where to add. The last 1% can then take their cars to a local indy and support the local economy some more after they screw up. At least then, they will have learned something.