Disco Magic · Aug 28, 2023

Don’t know if I’m overthinking this but as I’m about to flush the brake fluid should I use good quality standard Dot 4 or low viscosity (Dot 4 Class 6)?

It’s seems LV brake fluid is recommended for vehicles with ABS / TC and ESP if fitted. My 2006 Freelander 1 specifies Shell ESL Donax EB which is a Dot 4 class 6 fluid.

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I believe the Disco 2 had Castrol GLMA from the factory but is anyone here running Dot 4 class 6 LV brake fluid?

lynall · Aug 28, 2023

D3 needs class 6, I have the same class 6 in my series and the 90, so cannot see it doing a D2 any harm.

sierrafery · Aug 28, 2023

For the D2 "classic" DOT 4 is recommended

discool · Aug 29, 2023

Yes use the standard DOT 4, my old RR used it so been around for a longtime. Even a Maserati I had use DOT4.

Although not that i’m interested but to find out, my quick Google search states DOT 4 Class 6 was introduced as an American spec.

kermit_rr · Aug 29, 2023

The dot 4 class 6 stuff is better known as dot4+ or super dot4.
Unless you know you need it, use the normal dot 4 (class 4)
Dot4+ has a higher dry boiling point

Disco Magic · Aug 30, 2023

From what I’ve read any benefit of LV would only be felt when the modulator is actually activating ABS/TC etc, no benefit under normal braking.

I’ll go with standard/classic Dot 4 this time seeing as Class 6 isn’t specified.

kermit_rr said:
The dot 4 class 6 stuff is better known as dot4+ or super dot4.
Unless you know you need it, use the normal dot 4 (class 4)
Dot4+ has a higher dry boiling point

Yes, I went down the boiling point rabbit hole too.

The handbook specifies a minimum boiling point of 260°.

DOT 4 is minimum 230°
DOT 4+ is minimum 260°

For added confusion some standard DOT 4 is well in excess of 260° without being designated “+”.

Class 6 isn’t the same as DOT 4+, Cl 6 is specifically Low Viscosity although does have the higher boiling point.

Who’d have thought brake fluid could be so varied.

Disco Magic · Aug 30, 2023

discool said:
Yes use the standard DOT 4, my old RR used it so been around for a longtime. Even a Maserati I had use DOT4.

Although not that i’m interested but to find out, my quick Google search states DOT 4 Class 6 was introduced as an American spec.

All of the DOT standards are based on the American FMVSS 116 specification - DOT being the American Dept Of Transport.

Class 6 is a low viscosity variant of DOT 4

I’ll stick with straight DOT 4, I expect if LR had wanted D2’s to switch to LV brake fluid after the handbooks were printed there’d have been a TSB to that effect.

tilly2 · Aug 30, 2023

Straight DOT4, never ever had an issue with that..... I keep a 5litre bottle in the workshop at all times.

kermit_rr · Aug 30, 2023

tilly2 said:
Straight DOT4, never ever had an issue with that..... I keep a 5litre bottle in the workshop at all times.

Make sure it's sealed so it can't absorb water

tilly2 · Aug 30, 2023

kermit_rr said:
Make sure it's sealed so it can't absorb water

Yes, its a hygroscopic fluid, so the lid stays on. Never had a problem, even with a previously opened container. 5 litres usually lasts about 3 months here.... Never ever had any issues whatsoever.

NPG · Aug 30, 2023

I use one of these to take the guesswork out when trying to determine the quality of the fluid in the vehicle and in containers, even those that are still sealed. It is normal for it to report water content >4% when testing fluid that has been in the vehicle for 2 years or so. Which is precisely the change interval according to LR's maintenance schedule.

Amazon product

gstuart · Sep 2, 2023

NPG said:
I use one of these to take the guesswork out when trying to determine the quality of the fluid in the vehicle and in containers, even those that are still sealed. It is normal for it to report water content >4% when testing fluid that has been in the vehicle for 2 years or so. Which is precisely the change interval according to LR's maintenance schedule.

Amazon product

good call as also got one of those

did have a litre of brake fluid in the shed that was stored for around a year , lid on tight but alas failed when using one of those testers so indeed a great product to take the guess work out as u also mention

gstuart · Sep 2, 2023

Plus this is the stuff that I normally use for my D3

lynall · Sep 2, 2023

gstuart said:
Plus this is the stuff that I normally use for my D3

View attachment 296845

I have that same fluid in all my cars.

kermit_rr · Sep 2, 2023

If I've got an open bottle, I'll tape round the cap to try and help steal it.
I don't have a tester but just go off the colour

NPG · Sep 2, 2023

kermit_rr said:
I don't have a tester but just go off the colour

Colour is also a good indicator of fluid quality. I've also seen claims that UV from sunlight causes fluid degradation. Never came across any scientific tests that provide evidence of this but I once did have Halfords DOT4 fluid, which came in a black 5L container with a recommendation to store it away from sunlight. So there might be some truth in that claim after all !

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