Break Fluid
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 17
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From: WV
Break Fluid
2012 with 131000 miles and never had brake fluid changed. wanted to know if there is a upgrade fluid to the dot 3 i should be looking at to use.i was thinking of using some type of heavy duty fluid if possible. i have a local Toyota dealership so i will be looking to buy my fluid from them. thanks for any help.
Last edited by SonnyLongerbeam; Mar 5, 2025 at 03:54 PM.
2012 with 131000 miles and never had break fluid changed. wanted to know if there is a upgrade fluid to the dot 3 i should be looking at to use.i was thinking of using some type of heavy duty fluid if possible. i have a local Toyota dealership so i will be looking to buy my fluid from them. thanks for any help.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,181
Likes: 1,721
From: VA
Brakes not Breaks!
Save your money as all DOT3 fluid is the same. DOT4 is not much different for daily driving. Toyota brake fluid will work the same as the stuff from AutoZone or Advance Auto or Car quest or Wal-Mart etc.
Just change the brake fluid every 3 years or so to keep moisture out of the system. And be sure to clean & lubricate the brake caliper slide pins (check YouTube if you don't know what to do)
While both DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids are glycol-based and used in most vehicles, the key difference is that DOT 4 has a higher boiling point than DOT 3, making it better suited for high-performance driving situations with intense braking, like towing or frequent downhill driving, as it can withstand higher temperatures without vaporizing; DOT 3 is generally used in standard vehicles with less demanding braking needs
Save your money as all DOT3 fluid is the same. DOT4 is not much different for daily driving. Toyota brake fluid will work the same as the stuff from AutoZone or Advance Auto or Car quest or Wal-Mart etc.
Just change the brake fluid every 3 years or so to keep moisture out of the system. And be sure to clean & lubricate the brake caliper slide pins (check YouTube if you don't know what to do)
While both DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids are glycol-based and used in most vehicles, the key difference is that DOT 4 has a higher boiling point than DOT 3, making it better suited for high-performance driving situations with intense braking, like towing or frequent downhill driving, as it can withstand higher temperatures without vaporizing; DOT 3 is generally used in standard vehicles with less demanding braking needs
Last edited by Clutchless; Mar 4, 2025 at 01:56 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 360
From: Atlanta, Georgia
I used Bosch ES16 brake fluid in my 2015 RX350 which is suppose to be an upgrade to DOT3 , DOT4 and DOT 5.1 brake fluid. It works, but I cannot confirm if the upgraded brake fluid performs better than the stock stuff.
I use Bosch ES16 brake fluid in all my cars.
My son's 2007 Toyota Highlander Sport3.3V6 4wd
My 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Q4 Ti Sport
I use Bosch ES16 brake fluid in all my cars.
My son's 2007 Toyota Highlander Sport3.3V6 4wd
My 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Q4 Ti Sport
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 693
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From: TX
What Motive adapter are you using for your Toyota's? Is it reliable, I read reviews and people complain of them leaking?
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,181
Likes: 1,721
From: VA
It looks like 2 different Motive models.
I had one years ago and it never would form a decent seal around any master cylinder and always leaked all over the place. Yours appears to have a better seal around the master cylinder although you did improvise the bottom attachment with a wrench!
I gave it away and now only use a Mityvac fluid extractor vacuum pull tool that attaches to bleed screws.
I had one years ago and it never would form a decent seal around any master cylinder and always leaked all over the place. Yours appears to have a better seal around the master cylinder although you did improvise the bottom attachment with a wrench!
I gave it away and now only use a Mityvac fluid extractor vacuum pull tool that attaches to bleed screws.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 360
From: Atlanta, Georgia
I used an Smotive bleeder for my Lexus and Alfa Romeo.
I had to get creative for my Toyota 3.3 V6 highlander with the Motive adapter to get a good seal.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 360
From: Atlanta, Georgia
It looks like 2 different Motive models.
I had one years ago and it never would form a decent seal around any master cylinder and always leaked all over the place. Yours appears to have a better seal around the master cylinder although you did improvise the bottom attachment with a wrench!
I gave it away and now only use a Mityvac fluid extractor vacuum pull tool that attaches to bleed screws.
I had one years ago and it never would form a decent seal around any master cylinder and always leaked all over the place. Yours appears to have a better seal around the master cylinder although you did improvise the bottom attachment with a wrench!
I gave it away and now only use a Mityvac fluid extractor vacuum pull tool that attaches to bleed screws.
To be honest I do not see myself using the Motive bleeder anymore. The only car that my Motive brake bleeder worked well on was my old 2006 Cadillac Escalade.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 360
From: Atlanta, Georgia
The Smotive bleeder and adapter kit is good for the Lexus RX350 and other models you may have. However, the Lexus RX350 only needs the 43mm Toyota/Lexus adapter to properly bleed the system.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 360
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Thank you.
The kit is bit overkill if you only have to service the brake fluid of one model of car, but it comes in handy in my case since I service a few different makes including family and friends. I also bleed out my old brake fluid every 2 years or so.
For the 2010-2015 RX350 you only need to spend about $20 for the 43mm Toyota/Lexus adapter.
The kit is bit overkill if you only have to service the brake fluid of one model of car, but it comes in handy in my case since I service a few different makes including family and friends. I also bleed out my old brake fluid every 2 years or so.
For the 2010-2015 RX350 you only need to spend about $20 for the 43mm Toyota/Lexus adapter.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,993
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From: The Jet City
The kit is bit overkill if you only have to service the brake fluid of one model of car, but it comes in handy in my case since I service a few different makes including family and friends.>>>> I also bleed out my old brake fluid every 2 years or so.<<<<
Thats great to do as many ppl don't......I flush out the brake fluid every 3 yrs as well as use SS brake hoses.......Use dot 3 fluid as it'd deal w/ more water then a dot 4......
Thats great to do as many ppl don't......I flush out the brake fluid every 3 yrs as well as use SS brake hoses.......Use dot 3 fluid as it'd deal w/ more water then a dot 4......
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 360
From: Atlanta, Georgia
The kit is bit overkill if you only have to service the brake fluid of one model of car, but it comes in handy in my case since I service a few different makes including family and friends.>>>> I also bleed out my old brake fluid every 2 years or so.<<<<
Thats great to do as many ppl don't......I flush out the brake fluid every 3 yrs as well as use SS brake hoses.......Use dot 3 fluid as it'd deal w/ more water then a dot 4......
Thats great to do as many ppl don't......I flush out the brake fluid every 3 yrs as well as use SS brake hoses.......Use dot 3 fluid as it'd deal w/ more water then a dot 4......
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