is350 Brake Fluid flush
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: San Diego / Princeton
If you don't want Ate SBR, then the two most important factors when choosing a brake fluid will be:
-what moisture absorbing properties does it have (lower moisture = better)
-boiling point of the brake fluid since temperature is proportional to pressure
I'm sure others will chime in and give other opinions, but I think arguing brake fluid is kind of like arguing oil.. Too difficult for most people to quantify on an internet forum. I recommend Ate SBE because I've used it on street and track for a decade now in my Porsche, Evo, various Audis, and it's always performed well..
I'm about to slap all new brakes and fluid on my IS3 1/2 today too.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 89
From: New Hampshire
Any Dot3 fluid is good for the ISx50. Unless you want to upgrade your brake fluid to ones with high boiling temperatures if you intend to bring the car to the track. Otherwise, Dot3 is more than sufficient for daily driving.
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^ I thought they just released a new recall stating issue with the master brake cylinder when using non-Toyota brand brake fluid. Something about the polymers. Check it out, there was also a thread here on this.
http://www.lexus.com/recall/#gsisrxRecallSection
http://www.lexus.com/recall/#gsisrxRecallSection
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^ I thought they just released a new recall stating issue with the master brake cylinder when using non-Toyota brand brake fluid. Something about the polymers. Check it out, there was also a thread here on this.
http://www.lexus.com/recall/#gsisrxRecallSection
http://www.lexus.com/recall/#gsisrxRecallSection
With regards to the polymers, I personally don't think there are magical polymers that are present just for the Toyota's braking system. I would say it's a faulty seal inside the braking system and they are using the "excuse" of polymers so that they can maintain their brand image and not be blamed for having faulty parts. To me, it's just a cover-up by Lexus. I have read many expert articles on DOT3 fluid and they must all meet government standards for boiling points (minimum requirements). DOT3 is an industry standard. If there were special polymers in the Toyota fluid, they should be placed it on the bottle of the product or even service schedules should say "use only Toyota/Lexus DOT3 brake fluid."
Just my 2 cents
Yes, that's why they are doing the recall. They have to replace a rubber seal inside the master brake cylinder because it is not compatible with other DOT3 brake fluids when the owner's manual and factory specifications clearly indicated that "any DOT3 fluid" could be used in the brake system.
With regards to the polymers, I personally don't think there are magical polymers that are present just for the Toyota's braking system. I would say it's a faulty seal inside the braking system and they are using the "excuse" of polymers so that they can maintain their brand image and not be blamed for having faulty parts. To me, it's just a cover-up by Lexus. I have read many expert articles on DOT3 fluid and they must all meet government standards for boiling points (minimum requirements). DOT3 is an industry standard. If there were special polymers in the Toyota fluid, they should be placed it on the bottle of the product or even service schedules should say "use only Toyota/Lexus DOT3 brake fluid."
Just my 2 cents
With regards to the polymers, I personally don't think there are magical polymers that are present just for the Toyota's braking system. I would say it's a faulty seal inside the braking system and they are using the "excuse" of polymers so that they can maintain their brand image and not be blamed for having faulty parts. To me, it's just a cover-up by Lexus. I have read many expert articles on DOT3 fluid and they must all meet government standards for boiling points (minimum requirements). DOT3 is an industry standard. If there were special polymers in the Toyota fluid, they should be placed it on the bottle of the product or even service schedules should say "use only Toyota/Lexus DOT3 brake fluid."
Just my 2 cents
You should check with the service advisor to find out. But mostly like you will get new brake fluid in the system because they have to gain access to the seal in the master brake cylinder and should theoretically change the brake fluid by procedure. I am not too sure what their recall guidelines include in terms of procedures but I suppose they would change the brake fluid upon servicing internal components of the master brake cylinder. Guess we'll just have to wait and find out. I am waiting for the letter in the mail before I head over to the dealership.
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,382
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver, BC / Seattle, WA
Just get two liters to be safe. Don't skimp because you never know what can happen. Brake fluid is relatively inexpensive for how important it is.. Ate Super Blue Racing Fluid is $12.99/L @ Tire Rack so I'd go for something like that. Ate SBR will last 50% longer in your car as well, as opposed to most which are two-year change.
If you don't want Ate SBR, then the two most important factors when choosing a brake fluid will be:
-what moisture absorbing properties does it have (lower moisture = better)
-boiling point of the brake fluid since temperature is proportional to pressure
I'm sure others will chime in and give other opinions, but I think arguing brake fluid is kind of like arguing oil.. Too difficult for most people to quantify on an internet forum. I recommend Ate SBE because I've used it on street and track for a decade now in my Porsche, Evo, various Audis, and it's always performed well..
I'm about to slap all new brakes and fluid on my IS3 1/2 today too.
If you don't want Ate SBR, then the two most important factors when choosing a brake fluid will be:
-what moisture absorbing properties does it have (lower moisture = better)
-boiling point of the brake fluid since temperature is proportional to pressure
I'm sure others will chime in and give other opinions, but I think arguing brake fluid is kind of like arguing oil.. Too difficult for most people to quantify on an internet forum. I recommend Ate SBE because I've used it on street and track for a decade now in my Porsche, Evo, various Audis, and it's always performed well..
I'm about to slap all new brakes and fluid on my IS3 1/2 today too.
http://www.amsoil.com/catalog.aspx?code=BF3SN-EA
Should be ok I think. I will have Lexus use this in conjuntion with the recall since I am going to get the 30K service done.
