EBC® - DOT 4 Brake Fluid

Glycol fluids have a nasty characteristic of being “Hygroscopic” in that they attract and absorb water. This means that over the years the fluid in your vehicle system will degrade by the absorption of water. It is not uncommon to find glycol fluids containing up to 13 or 14% water which of course corrodes internal steel parts in your brake system and will promote early brake fade under heavy brake use. It also means that glycol fluids should be used only from a sealed container which once opened starts the degradation process immediately. For this reason EBC Brakes do not sell “Gallon drums” of brake fluid which have a definite shelf life and prefer to sell only in small bottles so that the fluids can remain sealed until used and to minimise waste.

Glycol fluid is also highly corrosive and even contact with paintwork by damp fingers after working with fluids can cause severe paint damage, cleaning hands is essential when working with glycol and make sure you don’t touch paintwork when doing so. Silicone Fluids are commonly classed as Dot 5 and we remind you again these cannot be mixed with glycol fluids. Many US Built custom big twin motorcycles use silicone brake fluid, their systems are designed for it. Silicone is wildly expensive but has the advantage that it is not hygroscopic (does not degrade by absorbing water) and does not damage paintwork. It therefore has a place in the brake fluid choice line up but again, make sure your system will handle it by referring to the owner’s manual.