Old Brake Fluid Switched Out - Feels AWESOME

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by JCL

I don't think it is designed to save consumers from using other fluids. It is designed to identify DOT 5 (which must be purple) and ensure it never gets mixed with DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 (which must be clear or amber). Mixing DOT 5 with the others can be catastrophic, so there is a technical reason for the law IMO. It also doesn't look like it was the US federal government that went after Continental, but rather that the Continental lawyers decided that the legal exposure for selling non-legal brake fluid was too high. I don't know if the strategy of claiming it was for off road vehicles only was eventually deemed insufficient, or whether because it was blue it wasn't actually DOT 4, but rather "suitable for vehicles that require DOT 4", ie truth in labelling laws. Anyway, I am sure it will work fine. I wouldn't keep it too long, though. I always thought it was a good idea to use fresh brake fluid, not old stock.

When I lived in Florida and began using Ate blue DOT4 I was aware it was illegal for "on road" use, I looked into it and found that the United States Department of Transportation was the driver, not Conti. The US federal gub'ment drove this ban.

I toss any opened DOT4 fluid containers, the only stock I hold is sealed and stored in spare bedroom closet at around 72deg F year round. The topic of storing brake fluid came up during a Viper Club member tour of the then new Conner Ave Viper assembly plant. The reason it was brought up was a Sr rep from Brembo was one of the "guests" that spoke to the owner group and subsequently took questions. When fluid storage/life came up the response in a nutshell was , if you plan on storing brake fluid for future use, ONLY buy it in metal containers, DO NOT open the factory seal and store in a cool/dry area without much temp fluctuation. If these steps are followed fluid is OK for around a decade. Brembo is "top of the heap" in brake systems and therefore I have no concerns in doing it.