Volvo AWD 850 Forum

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DO NOT USE Silicone brake fluids !!! 850 1996

Generally speaking, DOT5 is not suitable for street use and I believe that it will void your warrant. Here are the two main reasons:

1) DOT3 and DOT4 absorb water while DOT5 repels water. It may seem that DOT5 is therefore better, but it is actually worse. Water will get into your brake system no matter what fluid you use (moisture works its way in through rubber and plastic). A water repellant fluid will cause the water to pool in crevices and other select places, causing corrosion. DOT3/4 disperses the water, preventing pools.

2) DOT5 is no good for ABS systems -- the lubricating properties of DOT5 is worse than that for DOT3/4. This seems counter-intuitive given that DOT5 is made of silicon, but this is the case.







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