track day and brake fluid ?

J

jarjarmustdie

Member
Hi guys and girls
Thinking about booking a track day at Silverstone with EVO magazine for September this year. :driving:
I have a 56 plate coupe that is just short of 4 years old and from what history i have(owned for 15 months myself) the brake fluid has not been changed.
The car has done 30k and been driven sensibly (whilst I have owned it), pads are in good shape.
Do I change the fluid before or after? :sos:
This is not my first track day as I have done a few others in different cars so know not to go mad and watch out for brake fade.
Your comments and feedback are appreciated :thumbsup:
cheers lee
 
Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years, so if there's no stamp in the book showing that it's been done then you'll need to do it ASAP.

Maybe take the opportunity to put some higher spec fluid in?
 
The system does not take much, but honestly no idea how much. And DOT5 is fine for normal use, just more expensive :)
 
chris said:
The system does not take much, but honestly no idea how much. And DOT5 is fine for normal use, just more expensive :)
Click to expand...
DOT5 is not only more expensive, but it's not compatible with the standard fluids available as DOT3/DOT4/DOT 5.1.

DOT 5 is usually silicon based and does not absorb water as normal fluid does. While this means you get a consistent pedal feel most of the time, any moisture that gets into the system is not absorbed (which, in normal fluid, causes gradual degradation of the fluid's performance) and thus you get pockets of moisture which can superheat and cause the brakes to fail. So you need to be more careful about checking your DOT5 fluid than the standard fluid types.

DOT4 is fine, just make sure you get a decent brand - that'll be more important than getting some cheap, unbranded DOT5.1 from a motor factor.
 
mmm five is quite right, sorry it is DOT5.1 you need if you want to go down that route. DOT5 is not what you need, and iirc you cant use it on systems with ABS either.

Sorry been ages since i tracked a car :D
 
chris said:
DOT5 is not what you need, and iirc you cant use it on systems with ABS either.
Click to expand...
Correct.

"Castrol SRF high performance brake fluid is specially formulated to maximise braking performance in competition conditions. SRF DOT 4 brake fluid has a very high boiling point of over 300 degrees celsius making this fluid ideal for even the most extreme conditions. In order to achieve such high performance, it is recommended SRF is to be changed in eighteen month cycles for maximum efficiency. A deterioration in performance at low temperature may be experienced if fluid is run in periods longer than eighteen months.

Castrol SRF is suitable for all disc and drum brake systems except vehicles that have mineral oil systems. This is the ultimate in high performance brake fluid."

1-litre bottle is £50.
 
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