ATE Blue fluid - not for use on public highway?

[Phateuk]

So, I've just dropped my car off to get the brake fluid changed to ATE blue and the garage have rung me saying there's a big notice on the container saying not for use on public roads - is this purely due to the colour? I wasn't aware of any other detrimental affects of it?

Also, when the car goes back to the dealer should I get it flushed out and replaced with normal stuff or will they not notice/care?

[marshalla]

Possibly a US regulatory problem : http://www.ate-na.com/www/download/ate_us_en/theme... ?

It's also a DOT4 spec. fluid which has a lower boiling point than DOT5.1 (which is compatible). My preference would be the 5.1


ETA - also seeing some info. online that the presence of the dye means it can't have passed DOT4 testing and that the dye has not been authorised for UK use at it may be an environmental hazard if it spills (e.g. poisoning water courses).

Edited by marshalla on Tuesday 21st October 10:27

[Elderly]

marshalla said:

It's also a DOT4 spec. fluid which has a lower boiling point than DOT5.1 (which is compatible). My preference would be the 5.1

Both the wet and dry boiling points of ATE Super Blue surpass the DOT 5.1 specification.

[Phateuk]

marshalla said:

Possibly a US regulatory problem : http://www.ate-na.com/www/download/ate_us_en/theme... ?

It's also a DOT4 spec. fluid which has a lower boiling point than DOT5.1 (which is compatible). My preference would be the 5.1


ETA - also seeing some info. online that the presence of the dye means it can't have passed DOT4 testing and that the dye has not been authorised for UK use at it may be an environmental hazard if it spills (e.g. poisoning water courses).

Edited by marshalla on Tuesday 21st October 10:27

I've just done some reading up -and it does seem related to US regulations rather than anything UK specific..

[Henry Fiddleton]

Yup, from what I have heard its US thing and something to do with the chemical that makes it blue!

Just be aware the Dot 4 type absorb moisture so need changing fairly regularly.

I use it, it good stuff.

[Phateuk]

Henry Fiddleton said:

Yup, from what I have heard its US thing and something to do with the chemical that makes it blue!

Just be aware the Dot 4 type absorb moisture so need changing fairly regularly.

I use it, it good stuff.

I was under the impression Dot 4 is the "normal" type ? Isn't it the Dot 5.1 that needs to be changed more often?

[AdiT]

Brake fluid changes colour as it absorbs water, from almost clear to dark brown (I used to have a colour chart for it). I suspect the actual colour is part of the regulations.

[TheEnd]

It was down to US laws saying brake fluid has to be the yellowy colour.

"S5.1.14 Fluid color. Brake fluid and hydraulic system mineral oil shall be of the color indicated:
DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1 non-SBBF—colorless to amber.
DOT 5 SBBF—purple.
Hydraulic system mineral oil—green."

[Chr1sch]

Elderly said:

marshalla said:

It's also a DOT4 spec. fluid which has a lower boiling point than DOT5.1 (which is compatible). My preference would be the 5.1

Both the wet and dry boiling points of ATE Super Blue surpass the DOT 5.1 specification.

This, I used it for my last track day, fantastic!!

[PhillipM]

Phateuk said:

I was under the impression Dot 4 is the "normal" type ? Isn't it the Dot 5.1 that needs to be changed more often?

Both dot 4 and dot 5.1 absorb moisture, Dot 5 is the silicone based stuff that doesn't.
And as many pointed out, super blue exceeds DOT5.1 temperature specifications.

And yes, the warning is purely because it is blue. Red tape everywhere these days.

[Munter]

You can get the same fluid in yellow I believe.

[Jakg]

Munter said:

You can get the same fluid in yellow I believe.

Good luck finding it in the UK though

[bitwrx]

PhillipM said:

Phateuk said:

I was under the impression Dot 4 is the "normal" type ? Isn't it the Dot 5.1 that needs to be changed more often?

Both dot 4 and dot 5.1 absorb moisture, Dot 5 is the silicone based stuff that doesn't.
And as many pointed out, super blue exceeds DOT5.1 temperature specifications.

And yes, the warning is purely because it is blue. Red tape everywhere these days.

Just an aside about DOT5 fluids. I replaced the DOT4 with it on my Mini at the same time as I serviced the calipers (new seals and pistons). Over the next few years I had all the seals in the wheel cylinders, clutch slave and both master cylinders go.

They package really wasn't lying when it said the change to DOT5 should only take place as long as all rubbers were renewed at the same time!

[Phateuk]

PhillipM said:

Both dot 4 and dot 5.1 absorb moisture, Dot 5 is the silicone based stuff that doesn't.
And as many pointed out, super blue exceeds DOT5.1 temperature specifications.

And yes, the warning is purely because it is blue. Red tape everywhere these days.

Thanks - it's in the car now so hopefully should see an improvement on my next TD

[sparkyhx]

Elderly said:

marshalla said:

It's also a DOT4 spec. fluid which has a lower boiling point than DOT5.1 (which is compatible). My preference would be the 5.1

Both the wet and dry boiling points of ATE Super Blue surpass the DOT 5.1 specification.

what he said. Very Very popular with the track day fraternity, I've used nothing else for several years.

[eldavo]

Another fan of super blue here. At £15 a tin from ECP there's no excuse for not changing it at the start of every season.

[CedricN]

Super blue is great, I alter between RBF600 and super blue when i change on my track car. Its very nice since you can see when you have flushed all parts of the system. Having two different colors is brilliant !

[freedman]

Jakg said:

Good luck finding it in the UK though

http://www.promaxmotorsport.co.uk/products/1174-ate-type-200-super-gold-brake-fluid-1-litre.aspx



http://www.extremebajakarts.co.uk/universal-brakin...

[Jakg]

freedman said:

http://www.promaxmotorsport.co.uk/products/1174-at...



http://www.extremebajakarts.co.uk/universal-brakin...

I can't speak for "Extreme Baja Karts" (I emailed and got no reply) but Promax told me "We have tried and tried, But I do not think we will ever see this again, its been on order for as long as I can remember!"

[Phateuk]

Did my first track day with this fluid yesterday and it was amazing! Brake pedal stayed solid all day with some hard braking, last time out with OEM fluid the pedal went long after a few short sessions and never recovered for the rest of the day - with the blue stuff it felt like I could lap all day.

Such a great upgrade, only used about £7 worth to replace the old stuff as well so a total bargain!