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  1. #1
    Active Member Partzman23's Avatar
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    Default Brake fluid compatibility - can I mix OEM with Prestone DOT 4 synthetic?

    I am ready to change the brake fluid on my 17 RTL and I need to
    know if I can flush out the original brake fluid OEM with Prestone
    Dot 4 synthetic brake fluid. I don’t know if it is okay to mix these two
    in the brake system. Any help and information would be greatly
    appreciated. TIA
    Artie
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  2. #2
    Very Active Member Snowbelt Spyder's Avatar
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    Artie…DOT 4 is DOT 4 is DOT 4. ALL brake fluid is “synthetic”. Yes, brake fluid is hydraulic fluid, but brake fluid is glycol based and not mineral oil based. The brake fluid in your machine is glycol based DOT 4. Prestone added that word “synthetic” years ago for marketing. What you can’t do, is mix DOT 4 with DOT 5. DOT 5 is silicon based. Use the Prestone DOT 4. No problems.


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    Active Member Partzman23's Avatar
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    Thank you Snowbelt Spyder, that is what I needed to know. I just didn’t want to cause a major problem
    with the braking system. The nearest dealer to me is a 2 hr trip. Now I can do the brake fluid change with confidence. You have saved the day! 😃
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  4. #4
    Very Active Member Snowbelt Spyder's Avatar
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    You are definitely not the first to wonder about this. Hoping that you will be using Speed Bleeders. Makes this job just too easy. Even a cave man could do if. Also, DO NOT have the ignition on while doing this. That will trigger that stupid brake failure error, that has to be reset using that series of steps I’m sure you’ve read about on here. Only turn on the key until you’re all done, fluid topped off, and pedal pumped up.
    Last edited by Snowbelt Spyder; 07-31-2022 at 04:06 PM.


    Doug

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  5. #5
    Active Member Partzman23's Avatar
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    Default

    Yes I have bought the Speedbleeders for the front and back ,yet to be installed.
    Thanks also for tips on doing the job correctly. I have done my research on changing
    the brake fluid but could not find anything about the compatibility of the OEM fluid
    with the Dot 4 synthetic I bought. Maybe this thread will help someone else in the
    future. That is what this forum is all about helping each other when you can.
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  6. #6
    SpyderLovers Sponsor BajaRon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Snowbelt Spyder View Post
    Artie…DOT 4 is DOT 4 is DOT 4. ALL brake fluid is “synthetic”. Yes, brake fluid is hydraulic fluid, but brake fluid is glycol based and not mineral oil based. The brake fluid in your machine is glycol based DOT 4. Prestone added that word “synthetic” years ago for marketing. What you can’t do, is mix DOT 4 with DOT 5. DOT 5 is silicon based. Use the Prestone DOT 4. No problems.
    What he said...

    You can also use DOT 3 in a pinch. But DOT 4 is better and should always be used, unless you just can't.
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  7. #7
    Very Active Member PW2013STL's Avatar
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    Just did both my wife's 2021 RT and my 2020 RT.
    What I use was https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-...der-92924.html.
    Interesting that the 2021 oem fluid was the same color as the 2020. Looked like coffee.
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  8. #8
    Active Member Partzman23's Avatar
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    Thanks again every one that posted a reply to my OP. I was able to get the Speedbleeders installed and the brake fluid flushed without any problems.
    I made sure to not turn on the key until I had everything back together and brake reservoir filled and closed and then pumped the brakes several times.
    We took the Spyder for a ryde about 80 miles total and never had the brake light or warning come on. All is good!
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  9. #9
    SpyderLovers Ambassador Little Blue's Avatar
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    Default Speed Bleeders

    Quote Originally Posted by Partzman23 View Post
    Thanks again every one that posted a reply to my OP. I was able to get the Speedbleeders installed and the brake fluid flushed without any problems.
    I made sure to not turn on the key until I had everything back together and brake reservoir filled and closed and then pumped the brakes several times.
    We took the Spyder for a ryde about 80 miles total and never had the brake light or warning come on. All is good!
    Any chance of getting the part numbers for the Speed Bleeders?
    Where did you purchased your 'Speed Bleeders'?
    TIA .........
    ENJOY YOUR LIFE WITH A SPYDER
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  10. #10
    Very Active Member EdMat's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Little Blue View Post
    Any chance of getting the part numbers for the Speed Bleeders?
    Where did you purchased your 'Speed Bleeders'?
    TIA .........
    Here's the part listing on their website Blue. http://speedbleeder.com/bikechart.htm
    2019 RT Limited , Phoenix Orange

  11. #11
    Very Active Member RayBJ's Avatar
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    I've been told that DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid is also compatible with DOT 4. Is that correct?
    '20 Spyder RT: Bajaron swaybar. Vredestein tires, Pedal Commander, Elka front shocks, GPS/USB/12V handlebar mount, Heli-Bars, Radar Detector, KOTT grills & vents, Shad top case, chin & DRL LEDs.
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  12. #12
    Very Active Member PW2013STL's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RayBJ View Post
    I've been told that DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid is also compatible with DOT 4. Is that correct?
    Since DOT 4 and 5.1 are both glycol-based brake fluids they are compatible with each other, which means they can be readily mixed without harming your brake system. It is important never to mistake DOT 5.1 (glycol-based) with DOT 5 which is silicone-based and should never be mixed with any other DOT fluid
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  13. #13
    Very Active Member FrogmanDave's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by PW2013STL View Post
    Just did both my wife's 2021 RT and my 2020 RT.
    What I use was https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-...der-92924.html.
    Interesting that the 2021 oem fluid was the same color as the 2020. Looked like coffee.
    I've got that Harbor Freight tool as well. This works better and is way easier than all the rest https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0143

    I am curious to know why brake fluid looks like coffee when new?
    2022 Petrol Metallic RT Limited / 'PYDER'
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  14. #14
    Very Active Member PW2013STL's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FrogmanDave View Post
    I've got that Harbor Freight tool as well. This works better and is way easier than all the rest https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0143

    I am curious to know why brake fluid looks like coffee when new?
    It doesn't when new. It turns that color with contamination. I was surprised that my 2 year old fluid was the same color as the 1 year old. I was expecting it to be darker. When I did our 2014 RT after 3 years it was black.
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  15. #15
    Very Active Member FrogmanDave's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by PW2013STL View Post
    It doesn't when new. It turns that color with contamination. I was surprised that my 2 year old fluid was the same color as the 1 year old. I was expecting it to be darker. When I did our 2014 RT after 3 years it was black.
    My bad. I misunderstood what you were saying. I thought you meant the new fluid was dark to start with. I'm tracking with you now.
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  16. #16
    Active Member Partzman23's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Little Blue View Post
    Any chance of getting the part numbers for the Speed Bleeders?
    Where did you purchased your 'Speed Bleeders'?
    TIA .........
    Part number SB6100 for the front and rear, bought from Speedbleeders.com website, also ordered the tubing from them to drain fluid into jar
    Last edited by Peter Aawen; 08-05-2022 at 02:30 AM. Reason: ' 's %-)
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  17. #17
    Very Active Member PW2013STL's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FrogmanDave View Post
    I've got that Harbor Freight tool as well. This works better and is way easier than all the rest https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0143

    I am curious to know why brake fluid looks like coffee when new?
    I like the harbor freight one as it doesn't require the brake pedal to be depressed while bleeding.
    2021 Sea To Sky, 2020 RTL

    Isn't it weird that in AMERICA our flag and our culture offend so many people......
    but our benefits don't?
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