Low Viscosity Brake Fluid?

jbnery6465 · 10-16-2014, 07:39 PM

2006 325i E90, 6mt, daily driver.

So I'll be upgrading my rotors/pads shortly and plan on flushing the brake fluid at the same time. I'm aiming for either Pentosin Super DOT 4 or ATE Blue (or Amber) DOT 4. After doing some research, I had some questions and couldn't find any answers. Maybe someone here can help:

- I've seen some places offer a "low viscosity" brake fluid for my car which supposedly is for "electronic braking systems", is this something that applies to me

- Any tips or DIY on flushing/bleeding the clutch

- Any tips when using the Motive Power Bleeder in minimizing air that gets into the lines (I read a lot that using a power bleeder introduces air into the ABS vs the conventional 2-man operation). I hear some people don't fill the bleeder with fluid and only use it to create pressure, instead they fill the reservoir.

TIA!

Efthreeoh · 10-16-2014, 09:03 PM

BMWs take DOT4 brake fluid, that's all you need to know. Get DOT4 and you're good. I have a Motive power bleeder. Follow Motive's instructions (fill the tank and not more than 20 PSI) and you'll not introduce air into the system. Clutch can only be reliably bled with a power bleeder.

Oh, and you need to clean the Motive bleeder with denatured alcohol, not brake cleaner. You can get denatured alcohol at any hardware or paint store.

AlanAZ · 10-26-2014, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbnery6465

2006 325i E90, 6mt, daily driver.

So I'll be upgrading my rotors/pads shortly and plan on flushing the brake fluid at the same time. I'm aiming for either Pentosin Super DOT 4 or ATE Blue (or Amber) DOT 4. After doing some research, I had some questions and couldn't find any answers. Maybe someone here can help:

- I've seen some places offer a "low viscosity" brake fluid for my car which supposedly is for "electronic braking systems", is this something that applies to me

I tried the Pentosin Low Viscosity fluid recommended for the X5, but wasn't impressed by the brake pedal feel. When the next flush was due, I switched to ATE Typ 200 amber, much better.

bavarianx · 10-29-2014, 03:19 PM

Brake fluid is already pretty low viscosity, 2nd going with just DOT 4.

10-16-2014, 07:39 PM	#1
jbnery6465 Private First Class 9 Rep 137 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	Low Viscosity Brake Fluid? 2006 325i E90, 6mt, daily driver. So I'll be upgrading my rotors/pads shortly and plan on flushing the brake fluid at the same time. I'm aiming for either Pentosin Super DOT 4 or ATE Blue (or Amber) DOT 4. After doing some research, I had some questions and couldn't find any answers. Maybe someone here can help: - I've seen some places offer a "low viscosity" brake fluid for my car which supposedly is for "electronic braking systems", is this something that applies to me - Any tips or DIY on flushing/bleeding the clutch - Any tips when using the Motive Power Bleeder in minimizing air that gets into the lines (I read a lot that using a power bleeder introduces air into the ABS vs the conventional 2-man operation). I hear some people don't fill the bleeder with fluid and only use it to create pressure, instead they fill the reservoir. TIA! __________________ - Jeremy - 2006 325I \| Arktis Metallic \| Premium + Sport \| 6MT \| 20% Tint \| K&N + Charcoal Delete
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10-16-2014, 09:03 PM	#2
Efthreeoh General 17278 Rep 18,722 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	BMWs take DOT4 brake fluid, that's all you need to know. Get DOT4 and you're good. I have a Motive power bleeder. Follow Motive's instructions (fill the tank and not more than 20 PSI) and you'll not introduce air into the system. Clutch can only be reliably bled with a power bleeder. Oh, and you need to clean the Motive bleeder with denatured alcohol, not brake cleaner. You can get denatured alcohol at any hardware or paint store. Last edited by Efthreeoh; 10-17-2014 at 05:42 AM..
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10-29-2014, 03:19 PM	#4
bavarianx Colonel 224 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: 2006 X5 4.4i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (18)	Brake fluid is already pretty low viscosity, 2nd going with just DOT 4.
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