Best Brake Fluids

Top 10 Buying Guide

Best Brake Fluids

Our Recommendations

In a hurry? Here are the best products at a glance.

HONEST REVIEWS
Trusted by millions of readers. As featured in
Best Brake Fluids
Your Authors and Guides
Article Author
Heather
Patton
Article Author
Jennifer
Trimbee
Article Author
Samantha
Dewitt

How to Choose the Best Brake Fluid

Choosing the right brake fluid can be confusing. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, it’s honestly a bit overwhelming. If you’re asking yourself, what’s the best dot 4 brake fluid?, never fear. We’re here to help. We researched the top rated products to help you figure out which one is best for your vehicle. Before we get into our reviews, let’s take a look at the key features you need to know about brake fluid.

Best Brake Fluids

DOT: DOT stands for Department of Transportation and is a standardized way to classify these fluids. DOT 3 and DOT 4 are for passenger cars and trucks while DOT 5.1 is for racing vehicles. DOT 5 is used for military vehicles.

Product Buying Icon

Synthetic: There’s some debate over this. Some people only classify silicone based fluid as synthetic and glycol based formulas as non-synthetic. Popular opinion seems to be that all brake fluid is synthetic since it’s not found in nature. We agree.

How to Choose the Best Brake Fluid

Non-Silicone: This is pretty important. DOT 5 fluids are silicone based and those are the ones that are used in military vehicles. So, for passenger vehicles (DOT 3 and 4), you can’t use a silicone based fluid.

Product Buying Icon

Mixable: Here’s the deal. You can mix down but not up. So, if your car uses DOT 3 and you want to add DOT 4, go ahead! But don’t add DOT 3 if your brake system uses DOT 4.

Best Brake Fluids

Package Size: These vary from 16 to 32 ounces. Some of these last a long time before needing changed. If that’s the case, smaller bottles are better so the unused fluid doesn’t sit on a shelf or go to waste.

Product Intro Icon

Money Back Guarantee: Unfortunately, offering a money back guarantee isn’t something that most of these manufacturers offer. But once you understand that brake fluid isn’t as complicated as you might think it is, that makes sense.

Top 10 Products

Now that you know more about brake fluid, let’s move into our reviews. If you’ve used the best brake fluid tester and know it’s time for a change, make sure to check out our top and budget picks to save some time. They’re right at the top of the list and give you some idea of the range that’s available. Stick around if you have time, we really cover a little bit of everything. Ready? Let’s get to it.

ATE TYP 200 Brake Fluid

ATE TYP 200 Brake Fluid
Our top pick isn’t just the best brake fluid we found, it’s also the best dot 4 brake fluid for motorcycles. ATE TYP 200 Brake Fluid has excellent water locking properties that cause a minimal decrease of the boiling point. Specifically, it has a dry boiling point of 536 degrees Fahrenheit and a wet boiling point of 374 degrees Fahrenheit. What does that mean? The dry boiling point is measured when the fluid is fresh from the bottle; wet is measured after it’s absorbed water over time. The faster the wet boiling point deviates, the sooner you’ll need to replace your brake fluid. With this best motorcycle brake fluid, you can go about 3 years, which is pretty great. It provides excellent corrosion resistance and is non-foaming to prevent air bubbles from forming.
Check Price NowReview Top Pick

Motul DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid

Motul DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid
Motul Dot 5.1 Brake Fluid is the best cheap brake fluid we found in our research. It’s a non-silicone fluid that’s safe to use in DOT 3/4 systems. The dry boiling point is 516 and with a wet boiling point of 365 after one year of use. Typically, this product will last longer than a lot of DOT 3s and 4s. Because it has such a high boiling point, it stays stable over throughout its use. This fluid is 100% synthetic and can be used with a lot of different brake and clutch systems. It’s actually specifically designed for anti-lock brake systems. While some people prefer this fluid for racing but it’s approved for street use so you can use it in any compatible system.
Check Price NowReview Budget Pick

Prestone Synthetic Brake Fluid

Prestone Synthetic Brake Fluid
Prestone Synthetic Brake fluid is our pick for best dot 3 brake fluid. It was specifically designed to be used with newer cars that have a more sophisticated braking system and is a great choice for ABS, disc, and drum brake systems. It’s dry boiling point is 460 degrees, wet is 284. These figures actually exceed the government’s wet and dry boiling point standards. Plus, it keeps your vehicle maneuvering smoothly in all driving conditions. It gives you power when you need it and prevents that spongy pedal feeling. There’s more, the formula used in this fluid was designed to tolerate hot brake-systems without creating any dangerous vapor, an obvious plus. One more thing, it also contains a comprehensive inhibitor package that adds a level of protection to the metal surfaces inside the brake system.
Check Price Now

Honda DOT 3 Brake Fluid

Honda DOT 3 Brake Fluid
Next up in our brake fluid reviews is the Honda DOT 3 Brake Fluid, specifically made for use in all Honda models. This is actually the exact same fluid that your vehicle came with when you bought it. It’s called an OEM fluid, meaning “original equipment manufacturer”. The best thing about using an OEM like this one is that there’s no guessing whether or not it’s going to work in your vehicle. It’s simple. If you have a Honda, this is the perfect fit. Now, you might be wondering if you have to have a Honda to use this product. The answer is no! As long as your vehicle’s brake system is compatible with DOT 3 fluid, this will work just fine. If you do have a Honda, though, using this fluid takes away any of the guesswork.
Check Price Now

Motul Factory Racing Brake Fluid

Motul Factory Racing Brake Fluid
Our choice for best racing brake fluid is this one from Motul. It’s made for hydraulic actuated brake and clutch systems and is extremely stable and we also think it’s the best high temp brake fluid. This means it has better aerodynamic performance which makes it ideal for racing. The dry boiling point is 594 degrees Fahrenheit, wet is 401. What you need to pay attention to with this fluid is how high the wet boiling point is. That’s how it will perform after it absorbs some water from just being in the braking system. That’s a pretty impressive temperature that will keep your braking system running very efficiently even in extreme conditions. While this is a great choice for racing cars at the track, it will degrade pretty quickly when used for everyday driving on the street.
Check Price Now

Castrol Synthetic Brake Fluid

Castrol Synthetic Brake Fluid
Castrol Synthetic Brake Fluid is up next and it our pick for best brake fluid for BMW. It’s actually formulated to suit Audis, Jaguars, Porsches, and other high end, modern vehicles that use high temperature systems. This DOT 4 fluid surpasses all government requirements. It maintains a higher boiling point than most brake fluids which helps your system run smoothly even in extreme conditions. Because moisture is always getting into the system, braking systems are always at risk for corrosion. This fluid protects against it, specifically from the problems caused by chloride and zinc. It’s great for giving some protection against the constant stopping and starting that most cars go through in a regular commute. You can mix this fluid with conventional fluids, too, so no need to worry when adding it to the system for the first time.
Check Price Now

Lucas Oil 10826 Brake Fluid

Lucas Oil 10826 Brake Fluid
Next up is Lucas Oil 10826 Brake Fluid. This is a high quality blend of polyethylene glycol and formulated to meet the industry standard of a 401 degree Fahrenheit dry boiling point. It’s perfect for use with both disc and drum brake systems and you’ll feel the difference when you step on the pedal. You can also use it with clutch systems that call for a DOT 3 fluid. And don’t worry about mixing, it’s compatible with other DOT 3 brake fluids, too. This one has a lot of benefits in addition to keeping the system cool even under heavy braking. What do we mean by that? It also prevents the seals from hardening or softening and acts as an excellent lubricant. That’s not all, it even protects your braking system from rust and corrosion.
Check Price Now

Motor Medic Heavy Duty Brake Fluid

Motor Medic Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
Motor Medic Heavy Duty Brake Fluid is next in our brake fluid buying guide. Believe it or not, this fluid is made by a company in Charlotte, NC who’s been in the business for more than 75 years. A company doesn’t get that kind of longevity unless they really know what they’re doing. They care enough to get input from drivers and the people who use this stuff every day. This fluid was developed for modern disc and drum braking systems and is safe for both foreign and domestic cars. Basically, you can use it in any braking system that requires DOT 3 fluid and you’ll be happy. It’s also great if you’re looking for something to flush your brake lines. That’s not all, it’s reasonably priced and holds up well over time.
Check Price Now

Throttle Muscle Race Brake Fluid

The cool thing about Throttle Muscle Race Brake Fluid is that it meets all the requirements to be considered both a DOT 3 and DOT 4. It provides superior protection in even harsh conditions. And get this, it provides maximum protection both on and off road. It’s made for modern high temperature braking systems include ABS, disc, and drums and can even be used with hydraulic clutches. Plus, you can mix it with any synthetic or conventional fluid which makes it really convenient to top off the system. This formula protects against seal hardening and softening and protects against moisture absorption and vapor lock which will keep it working better, longer. Here’s the kicker, this is also one of the more budget friendly choices of the best brake fluid for sale.
The cool thing about Throttle Muscle Race Brake Fluid is that it meets all the requirements to be considered both a DOT 3 and DOT 4. It provides superior protection in even harsh conditions. And get this, it provides maximum protection both on and off road. It’s made for modern high temperature braking systems include ABS, disc, and drums and can even be used with hydraulic clutches. Plus, you can mix it with any synthetic or conventional fluid which makes it really convenient to top off the system. This formula protects against seal hardening and softening and protects against moisture absorption and vapor lock which will keep it working better, longer. Here’s the kicker, this is also one of the more budget friendly choices of the best brake fluid for sale.
Check Price Now

Bosch ESI6-32N Brake Fluid

Rounding out our list is Bosch ESI6-32N Brake Fluid and it’s pretty special. Why do we say that? It meets and exceeds all the standards and is considered DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1 which means it’s highly compatible and can be mixed with just about anything. It lasts a long time, too. In fact, you can go twice as long before you need to replace it as you would a standard DOT 3 fluid. The recommended service interval time with this fluid is 3 years which is pretty impressive. It has low viscosity and even performs in extreme conditions like race days or cold weather. The packaging is really great, too, which should give it a longer shelf life and keep it clean and pure for better performance.
Rounding out our list is Bosch ESI6-32N Brake Fluid and it’s pretty special. Why do we say that? It meets and exceeds all the standards and is considered DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1 which means it’s highly compatible and can be mixed with just about anything. It lasts a long time, too. In fact, you can go twice as long before you need to replace it as you would a standard DOT 3 fluid. The recommended service interval time with this fluid is 3 years which is pretty impressive. It has low viscosity and even performs in extreme conditions like race days or cold weather. The packaging is really great, too, which should give it a longer shelf life and keep it clean and pure for better performance.
Check Price Now

About the Author

Author Image

Jennifer Trimbee

Expert Researcher and Writer

Jennifer Trimbee, a lead researcher and writer at GeekWrapped, is an expert writer with many years of experience. Jennifer writes about technology, sports, outdoor, and gear products.

Learn more about Jennifer

Article last updated on:

September 30, 2019

See more reviews:

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. All prices on this site may change and those considered valid are displayed on Amazon.com

TOP PICK

ATE TYP 200 Brake Fluid

Check Price NowBest Brake Fluids
Disclosure: GeekWrapped helps you find the best stuff. When readers buy the
independently chosen products on this site, we earn a commission that supports our work.
Disclosure: GeekWrapped helps you find the best stuff. When readers buy the independently chosen products on this site, we earn a commission that supports our work.
Disclosure: When readers buy the independently chosen products on this site, we earn a commission.