Best Brake Fluids: Get The Ultimate Stopping Power
The best brake fluids to keep your vehicle’s braking system in tip-top shape

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In order for your vehicle's braking system to operate effectively, it requires an essential component: brake fluid. The best brake fluid will ensure that your vehicle stops when it has to. It's crucial that you use the recommended brake fluid for the best performance and for safety reasons. Check out our brake fluid review below to find the best product for your ride.

Motul Dot-4 100 Percent Synthetic Racing Brake Fluid
Prestone DOT 3 Synthetic Brake Fluid
Lucas Oil Brake Fluid
Benefits of Brake Fluid
- Prevent brake failure. If you don't use the best brake fluid, your vehicle will not operate properly. Brake fluid is an integral part of your vehicle's braking system, which relies on the substance for stopping power.
- Be safe. If your brake fluid is old and worn, it won't work as well. That means your vehicle will take longer to stop, which can result in an accident that can harm you or others.
- Increase performance. If you race your car on the track or enjoy autocross, good brakes are crucial. The best brake fluid will give you more stopping power than cheaper, lower-quality products.
Types of Brake Fluid
DOT 3
This poly glycol-based brake fluid is intended for vehicles that are exposed to normal driving conditions. It has a wet boiling point of 140 degrees Celsius and dry boiling point of 205 degrees Celsius. Over the course of a year, it absorbs moisture at a rate of about 2 percent of its volume. It can be safely mixed with DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 brake fluids. The best DOT 3 brake fluid is very strong and can damage your vehicle's paint in the event of a spill.
DOT 4
This fluid is also poly glycol-based and is intended for vehicles that are used in higher altitudes. It has a wet boiling point of 155 degrees Celsius and a dry boiling point of 230 degrees Celsius. Similar to DOT 3 brake fluid, the best DOT 4 brake fluid absorbs moisture at a rate of about 2 percent of its volume per year, but it has somewhat higher wet and dry boiling points. It can also harm your vehicle's paint. You can also safely mix it with DOT 3 and DOT 5.1 brake fluids.
DOT 5
This synthetic blend brake fluid has a silicone base. It does not absorb moisture and, as a result, can cause corrosion in your brake line if not properly monitored. It has a wet boiling point of 180 degrees Celsius and a dry boiling point of 260 degrees Celsius. DOT 5 brake fluid is intended for race cars and other performance-based vehicles. It is not for vehicles with antilock brake systems and cannot be combined with other types of brake fluid.
DOT 5.1
This poly glycol-based brake fluid absorbs moisture at a rate of approximately 2 percent of its volume per year. It has a wet boiling point of 180 degrees Celsius and a dry boiling point of 260 degrees Celsius. It's intended for high-performance vehicles and race cars with antilock brake systems. Like DOT 3 and DOT 4, even the best DOT 5.1 brake fluid can damage your paint. You can mix it with DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluid.
Top Brands
Castrol
The Wakefield Oil Company was founded in 1899. The British Castrol brand originated after researchers added castor oil to lubricant formulations. The London-based multinational BP purchased Castrol in 2000. One top product is the Castrol SRF Racing Brake Fluid.
Prestone
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Prestone manufacturers antifreeze/coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and other products in North America. It's been delivering antifreeze/coolant protection since 1927. One popular product is the Prestone DOT 3 Synthetic Brake Fluid.
MAG 1
Warren Distribution, manufacturer and owner of the MAG 1 brand, was founded in 1922 as the Warren Oil Company by James Schlott. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, the company is one of the largest independent lubricants manufacturers and blenders in North America. One top product is the MAG1 120 Premium DOT 3 Brake Fluid.
Motul
The French company Motul was founded in 1853 in New York City. The company develops lubricants for car, motorcycle and other engines. Its products are available in more than 80 countries. One top product is the Motul Dot-4 100 Percent Synthetic Racing Brake Fluid.
Brake Fluid Pricing
- Under $10: There are several brands of good-quality brake fluid that you can purchase in this price range. Some are as little as $5. Most are geared towards average drivers who are not performance-oriented.
- $10-$20: Brake fluids at this price point are often tailored towards vehicles that are used for the race track and typically have a higher boiling point. While it provides superior stopping power, it often needs to be changed more frequently.
- Over $20: Some brake fluids are very costly but feature top corrosion protection and water-locking properties for peak performance. These products are generally used by people who race their vehicles.
Key Feature
Boiling Point
A vehicle's braking system generates high temperatures. If the temperature gets too high, it warms up the brake fluid and can form vapor in the brake lines, causing a drop in braking ability. The dry boiling point refers to the brand new fluid. When it's been in use for a while, the boiling point drops due to water contamination. The wet boiling point refers to the fluid that's been in use for a while and has a certain amount of moisture mixed in.
Other Considerations
- Corrosion Resistance: Look for a product that repels corrosion in areas such as the ABS control valves, master cylinders, wheel cylinders, and calipers. Manufacturers use various additives in their products to fight corrosion. Some types of brake fluids are more corrosive than others. For example, silicone is less corrosive than glycol-ether-based fluids.
- Viscosity: A vehicle's brake fluid should maintain its viscosity during many operating temperatures. This will ensure that the stability control, traction control, and anti-lock braking system function properly. As a result, it's important to prescribe to a viscosity recommended by the manufacturer. In general, DOT 5.1 brake fluids have the lowest viscosity over a wide range of temperatures.
- Compatibility: Some brake fluids are designed for certain brake systems, such as disc brakes or drum brakes. Others are designed for various systems. Do not purchase a cheap brake fluid because it's cost effective. It's essential that it's compatible with your specific vehicle in order to work properly and prevent brake failure.
Best Brake Fluid Reviews & Recommendations 2020
This non-silicone synthetic fluid is intended for hydraulic brake and clutch systems. It has extreme thermal resistance and stability and a very high boiling point (312 degree Celsius). It does not have a shelf date and will not expire.
This fluid dramatically improves pedal feel. It's a superb alternative to conventional brake fluid and offers the best blend of value and high performance for all types of vehicles, from daily drivers to track vehicles. It's a great product if you use the brakes heavily or participate in occasional track events or races. It fosters more protection against water penetration, and it increases performance. It's one of the top racing brake fluids on the market for the price.
The bottle's design can be problematic and may cause spillage. It may also cause brake fade in race conditions. In addition, it’s more expensive than some competing brands, and you’ll need to change it more often due to its performance characteristics.
This fluid is a mix of polyglycol ethers, which ensures the brake-system operation will not cause dangerous vapors. It's ideal for disc and drum brakes as well as ABS systems. It is wet and dry boiling points exceed the minimum government standards, and it provides an extra margin of safety during extreme braking conditions.
This DOT 3 fluid is one of the most common brake fluids for passenger cars and is a brand name that's very reasonably priced. It does more than enough for daily drivers and commuters who require typical braking power without performance-oriented results. One 32-ounce bottle is often enough to completely flush a single vehicle's braking system.
The biggest complaint about this product is, while ordering online, it may not have a lid, and the seal may break during shipping. This is problematic because brake fluid absorbs water at a faster rate if the seal is broken. It can also be contaminated if it's not sealed properly.
Lucas Oil’s blend of brake fluid is one of the best available and this high-quality mixture is impressive. The fluid is compatible with every rubber component of the braking system. Plus, it’s capable of being blended and mixed with other brake fluids as well. It works by protecting and strengthening your brakes so they last longer and are more reliable.
The premium brake fluid is rated as a DOT 3 and is a blend of polyethylene glycol ethers and additives. It can meet, and at times even exceed, the industry minimum dry boiling point of 401 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended for use on disc and drum brakes, and can even be applied to the clutch. It protects your brakes against rust and corrosion, prevents hardening and softening of the rubber, and provides excellent lubricity.
There are a few things to keep in mind with this particular blend of brake fluid, however. The first is that it does contain high wet and boiling points. This is something you should keep track of, as the boiling point temperature may decrease over time. Plus, the packaging feels flimsy and weak and may break or pop open before getting to you.
This 32-ounce hydraulic brake fluid is designed for ABS, drum, and disc brake systems that need DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid. It's a versatile product that you can seamlessly combine with conventional fluids, and it has a high boiling point of 480 degrees Fahrenheit, which minimizes evaporation and brake failure.
This fluid combines top-grade glycols and glycol ethers to protect against corrosion. It's a low-moisture formula, so it has superior vapor lock protection. It exceeds SAE and federal standards and is especially effective at maximizing the performance of ABS applications.
There are not many negatives associated with this product. However, it may not be great if you use it on track vehicles or tend to do a lot of hard braking.
MAG 1 DOT3 Brake Fluid uses FMX technology in its specially blended formula. You can use it on ABS, disc, and drum brake systems that require DOT 3 fluid. The brake fluid has a minimum wet boiling point of 284 degrees Fahrenheit and is designed to boost your vehicle's performance and longevity.
This fluid operates well above minimum recommended specs and is a good value and excellent quality for the price. MAG 1 has a solid reputation for creating high-quality products, and this one works as advertised. The quart-sized bottle makes it very convenient to perform a major brake system repair.
One downside is that depending on the size you get, you may not use the entire bottle on smaller vehicles. Plus, some users have noted that while it works fine, it isn't necessarily better than other brands.
This brake fluid has very low viscosity and is recommended for vehicles that feature modern electronic control systems for braking and stability, such as anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, traction control, and electronic brakeforce distribution. Brembo’s premium brake fluids have higher boiling points and reduced viscosity to protect against vapor lock.
Brembo specializes in manufacturing braking systems for high-performance vehicles and motorcycles, so its products are highly regarded in the industry. Overall, it's a good-quality brake fluid, and the low viscosity should make ABS and stability systems work better if the weather is cold. Your brakes may even bite earlier and be a bit more aggressive after you use this fluid.
However, it may not be suitable for all vehicles, so make sure to check that it's compatible with your make and model.
RAVENOL's DOT 5.1 synthetic brake fluid is made in Germany and is geared towards everyday and performance-based driving. It provides lubrication for ABS systems, hydraulic braking, and clutch systems. It exceeds SAE and federal regulations. The fluid is designed for extreme and frequent braking and to minimize moisture absorption.
It's a great product if you take your car to the track. It also should help with brake fade under high stress, such as putting it in your tow vehicle. It's a really good-quality brake fluid, and the can is air tight and can last a few years after you open it. There is plenty in the can to flush out a number of brake systems. Overall, your braking and brake pedal should feel significantly better after flushing with RAVENOL.
As with many brands of brake fluids, there's not a lot of negatives. One issue is you cannot mix this DOT 5.1 brake fluid with DOT 5 brake fluid. There have also been some complaints that it isn't packaged well and may get banged up during shipping.
This brake fluid features a European formula with very high wet and dry temperature ratings. It exceeds DOT 3 and 4 specifications and provides superior braking performance when you race or if you rally. The product also has excellent anti-vapor lock features.
Castrol SRF reigns supreme when it comes to high-end brake fluid for racing. It has a wet boiling point that is higher than most high-performance brake fluids’ dry boiling point. After using this fluid you can hammer down the brakes, yet you won't lose braking capacity and your pedal won't go to the floor. It consistently withstands the brake heat when you’re racing.
The biggest problem with this brake fluid is it's expensive. Also, it's geared towards track junkies, so it's not the best option for everyday driving.
- Use a turkey baster to change the brake fluid in your reservoir. Remove as much as you can before filling it up with new brake fluid, and then properly discard leftover fluid. You must bleed the brakes to do a complete brake fluid change, which may require a professional.
- The dry boiling point is particularly important if you frequently change your brake fluid. But, if you're the type of person who doesn't change it very often, the wet boiling point is more crucial.
- Choose a brake fluid that has good water absorption so your vehicle's brake system resists corrosion and rust. Since water boils quicker than fluid, it turns into steam, which can damage the brakes.
- While it's okay to mix some brake fluid types, some are not interchangeable. Ideally, you should use a single high-quality brand that is specifically intended for your model vehicle.
- Immediately clean off any brake fluid that spills after you top off the reservoir or change your fluid. Many types of brake fluid are corrosive and can cause paint damage.
- Brake fluid resembles the color of white wine when it is new. Be sure to change it before it turns brown or black. When it's really dark, it has absorbed a lot of moisture and contamination.
FAQs
Q: How does brake fluid work?
A: Brake fluid works in conjunction with your vehicle's hydraulic system. The master cylinder requires fluid to put pressure in the brake line, causing it to move. The fluid's pressure activates the mechanical brakes (the disc, pads, and caliper), which put pressure on the wheel, causing it to stop. The vehicle will not stop properly without brake fluid.
Q: What type of brake fluid do I need?
A: There are glycol-based and silicone-based brake fluids. Silicone-based fluids are for vehicles without ABS. Check your owner's manual to determine which type of fluid you need.
Q: Why does the brake fluid need to be changed?
A: Over time, brake fluid loses its effectiveness because it absorbs moisture and water through areas such as the brake system's seals. Too much moisture can reduce stopping power.
Q: How often do I need to change my vehicle’s brake fluid?
A: Check your owner's manual. It will contain a schedule based on either time or miles driven to determine how often you need to change the fluid.
Q: How do I check my brake fluid?
A: First, locate the brake fluid reservoir under the hood of your vehicle. Typically, it is well marked and in a plastic container on the driver's side of the engine. Next, remove the top from the container and look at the marker on the side of it to determine the fluid’s level. Finally, make sure there are no contaminants or discoloration in the container.
Final Thoughts
Our pick for the best brake fluid is the Motul Dot-4 100 Percent Synthetic Racing Brake Fluid. While it's slightly pricier than other brands, it improves pedal feel, protects against water penetration, and increases performance for both daily drivers and racers.
A less expensive option is the Prestone DOT 3 Synthetic Brake Fluid.

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