what exact brake fluid you have been using and why? results?
dot4 synthetic?
thanks

 

I have been using Bouch that I got on sale at Auto Zone for a Buck, big can and I see that name everywhere on this car so it has to be good . .Sez it goes with everything.

 

Bosch ???

 

You cannot mix types, the Crossfire uses DOT 4 brake fluid.
I use Motul RBF 600, half a litre costs over $25 here, I have forgotten exactly how much though.

I hope someone does not get confused and use it as a douche.

 

"I have been using Bouch" hey wait a minute, maybe that is why it was so cheap. I hate knock off . . .I do know that 5 is different , let me read the small print and get back with you .

 

I use Pentosin Super DOT 4 as do a lot of MB folks. FWIW, all brake fluids are technically "synthetic", as they are not refined from crude oil.

 

interesting. thanks.
about if synthetic or not, found this:
" Most brake fluids used today are glycol-ether based, but mineral oil (Citroën/Rolls-Royce liquide hydraulique minéral (LHM)) and silicone-based (DOT 5) fluids are also available. "
so, sometimes yes, and sometimes no. maybe most of the times yes.
as some1 said: "the devil is in the details"

 

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DOT-4, its what is called for. ALL DOT-4 meets the (at least) minimum specifications (FOR THE FLUID INSTALLED). No need to overthink or over spend unless you have deep pockets. Have fun discussing anything else but the facts here. BTW, 180 (Dave) is correct, do not mix fluids (or IMHO use less than DOT-4, or DOT-5). Any other fluid may be detrimental to your brakes when you need them most. The XF needs a higher boiling point fluid due to its design being a nimble sports car so it is expected the brakes get hotter as demand through agile driving increases (Like the Tail Of The Dragon?). Nuff said!


Some of us ole-timers may remember my first TOD when I drove my XF with its OEM brake system, and during a stopover for a scenic view resulted in the obvious stressed brakes I had while keeping up with the SRT-6 crowd. NO brake damage occurred (although my passenger who has a 'zipper' was severely stressed, surprise, since he is an adrenalin junkie seeking risk almost daily). OEM DOT-4 provided me with all the braking needed, again don't overthink this issue!



.

 

DOT 5 must not be used in our cars, it is a silicone based fluid. Oddly DOT 5.1 is not, confusing eh?

 

Quite confusing, that's the way engineers design stuff. Engineers by definition make things harder then they have to be... I could have been a little clearer on anything below DOT-4, OR not to use DOT-5. After re-reading what I posted in post #8, some MIGHT think I alluded to use DOT-5. Bottom line, use DOT-4 brake fluid only and you cannot go wrong!


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A lot of engineers never had experience on the shop floor and were treated like gods by some and given free reign to demand exactly what they had envisioned. This lack of shop time caused them to make Swiss watches when all that was needed was a Timex.
I worked with a brilliant designer once but his designs needed to be simplified as much as possible to increase the profit from the finished article, that was my job. Thankfully he was one of the nicest people you could wish to meet and when I said x number of pieces could be made into one piece he agreed without rancour. He could also do cartoons of people that you recognized at once, I still have a few he did of me.

 

True, wherever I was stationed that exact thing was in the engineering section of the base engineers. One quick observation, a multi-million building with a high tolerance climate control system (within 2 degrees and 45-55% humidity 24/7) wound up putting the monthly maintenance areas 2ft from the exterior walls. Try to get a person larger than twiggy into there with tools, to work on the system. Had to spend a whole lot after acceptance, to open up the area around the equipment for maintenance. And no one was talked to since the building was a critical building, the $$$ just flowed and flowed (correcting this type of thing).

It would be nice to have the mechanics that work on cars, be there with the engineers when they design all the parts going into said cars. It is this disconnect that makes it extremely hard for service departments (and owners) to access anything needing maintenance or repair. Sadly, the current (and has been for quite a while) trending continues to be make the owner and garages outdated by designing vehicles that need 5 or 6 figure diagnostic machines & tools, to diagnose/repair things coming out of factories anymore. There are many who just want 4 wheels, a steering wheel, motor, and maybe airbags (because of all the distracted drivers playing with all that technology IN these things they now call new cars.

Going to call the people sitting behind a steering wheel 'occupants' from now on, I think!


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Brake fluid-whats your choice?
I know exactly what and how I want it

2 oz Motul RBF 600.
3/4 oz Sweet red vermouth.
Dash of Angostura bitters.
Stirred (not shaken) over ice.
Strained into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnished with a cherry and served straight up.

Cheers!
I'm buying the next round.

 

Same here. When I installed the SS brake lines a few years back, I flushed the brake system & refilled with Pentosin Super DOT4. Bought a 1 liter can for $12.38USD off Amazon.