Brake Fluid

[csc67]

How much brake fluid do I need to bleed a 2004 pilot?

How much does the delaership charge per quart/liter/gallon?

Thanks

[ctobio]

How much do you need, or how much should you buy?

I'd pick up 2 quarts.

Typically when I bleed brakes on a car, I drain out around 300ml from each corner. Essentially, drain until the color changes.

Don't know what the dealer charges for their fluid, but I'll probably use either Valvoline Synpower or Castrol LMA when I do my Pilot. Both are DoT-4 compliant fluids. The Pilot specs out for DoT-3. For whatever reason, they seem to insist on Honda brake fluid, but I'm skeptical. It's not like the VTM or trans fluid.

[whizmo]

I use the Valvoline Synthetic DOT3/DOT4 stuff. Since Honda doesn't spec brake fluid that is different than DOT3/4, no reason to use the Honda stuff.

Their big 32oz bottle is enough unless you go crazy.

- Mark

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by whizmo
I use the Valvoline Synthetic DOT3/DOT4 stuff. Since Honda doesn't spec brake fluid that is different than DOT3/4, no reason to use the Honda stuff.

Their big 32oz bottle is enough unless you go crazy.

- Mark

For changes any quality fluid is fine.

For top-ups you should use what the system is filled with since there are slight differences in formulas.

I don't use Valvoline Synthetic on principles. All brake fluid is "synthetic", but only Valvoline uses the name top confuse the buyer.

[ctobio]

Originally posted by N_Jay

I don't use Valvoline Synthetic on principles. All brake fluid is "synthetic", but only Valvoline uses the name top confuse the buyer.

While I agree that it is indeed silly, Castrol LMA is now calling themselves "Synthetic" as well.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by ctobio


While I agree that it is indeed silly, Castrol LMA is now calling themselves "Synthetic" as well.

Where did you see that?

[ctobio]

Originally posted by N_Jay


Where did you see that?

It was on the bottles of Castrol LMA I bought a few weeks back when I bled out my VW's system. Apparently it's a new formulation (as far as I can tell, the dry boil temp is higher, up to 509 deg F.) and they're going around calling themselves synthetic now.

I'd go back out in the garage and look at them again, but I already threw out the old bottles. I most definitely noticed they're calling themselves "synthetic" and chuckled to myself when I saw that.

I got to go to Pep Boys again later today. I'll take a cell phone picture of them.

[ctobio]

Castrol GT LMA, new formula, and synthetic!

[Wolfman_matt]

I plan to bleed my brakes as well when I change my pads. Can anyone tell me where to get a small hose and what size I need? I don't really want to take off a wheel to check. Thanks Matt

[ctobio]

3/16 or 1/4 ID usually does the trick. I usually get clear vinyl hose at Home Depot.

[jay]

A couple of years I replaced my home HVAC system, previously a gas furnace inside and a/c unit outside, with a gas furnace inside and heat pump outside. It's set up as a "dual fuel" system in that the heat pump supplies heat until the outside temp drops below 40 degrees. Then the gas heat kicks in.

My setup was pure happenstance, as the dealer had a high-end heat pump he convinced me to take at no additional charge to me over what I ordered.

Now Carrier is marketing this setup as a "Hybrid."

That's great marketing, as is Castrol referring to their brake fluid as "synthetic."

Those Engineers like N_Jay are hard pressed to sell their innovations at a premium without great marketing.

Did I mention my degree is in Marketing?

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by jay

Did I mention my degree is in Marketing?

So is mine!

[whizmo]

I agree on the marketing angling, but there have been several tests on the net that show the Valvoline brake fluid is good stuff, reasonably priced, and readily available.

- Mark

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by whizmo
I agree on the marketing angling, but there have been several tests on the net that show the Valvoline brake fluid is good stuff, reasonably priced, and readily available.

- Mark

Now I am confused.

I boycott Valvoline because of the stupid "synthetic" marketing, (of course it has no effect on me because I only use Honda in my Hondas and Castrol in everything else.

Now Castrol is using the stupid synthetic marketing.

[Wolfman_matt]

Thanks ctobio - I picked up 1/4" and 3/8" from Home Depot since I wasn't exactly sure. We'll see which works best. Matt