THSCC Forums

I'm heading to VIR (Full Course) on Sunday for the 8th Annual ITR Expo and am really psyched to stretch the R's legs and was unsure about a local source for decent brake fluid.

I've got mixed advice about what will sustain the temperatures during a DE. Some folks have told me that regular Honda fluid would be fine and others disagree.

My question is this: Should I flush then replace with Honda fluid or upgrade to something like Motul? I want to be able to daily drive with whatever I use.

Also, what is a good local source to buy higher temperature fluid now that I've procrastinated and don't have time?

thanks!
Matt

If you're in one of the lower experience groups, chances are that you will be fine with a fresh flush of OEM fluid. I ran that event last year, and there was a large novice group with a wide range of experience levels. There were quite a few "trains" in that group. YMMV.

I, on the other hand, would run an upgraded fluid. If there's any place that you want to overengineer on the car, it's the brakes. Any good DOT 4 fluid will be fine to daily drive with...as a matter of fact, it's probably better to DD than OEM fluid.

Motul 600 is good stuff (I run it now) but is likely a bit of overkill, considering that there are fluids that are suitable but significantly less $. Good old ATE Type 200 (Blue or Gold) is a relatively low cost favorite of a lot of the folks who do schools. I've run it on several cars with good results. I personally don't care for the blue stuff, as the dye in it stains the plastic reservoir and makes it more difficult to read brake fluid levels. I believe the BlackForest in Cary stocks ATE.

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Tom Freeman
'98 M3/4/5 | '93 Spec3 325i | '12 TSX sport wagon | '03 Tahoe
Team Silver Bullets '91 240SX

I can't really advise you on the ITR regarding brakes...it really depends on how hard you use them (i.e. peak speed and the rate at which you slow for turn 1 and oak). Pads will also be an issue if you are driving at an advanced level as you can easily exceed the MOT of street pads at VIR in most any car, especially if you're using R-comps. If this is your first time out and on street tires, chances are you'll be ok with stock pads (as long as they are not worn more than perhaps a 1/3) and fresh fluid.

If you just want to get some fresh high temp fluid, I would suggest Motul 600 which you can find locally at Absolute Automotive in Durham.

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Current stable:
2019 BMW M2 Competition slicktop 6MT
2011 BMW M3 sedan slicktop 6MT
2007 BMW 328i wagon (slushbox for now)
1975 CanAm 125MX2

Thanks Tom and Chuck. I did forget to mention that I have zero track experience and will be running a new set of Honda stock pads on 615's.

A full flush with any decent DOT4 fluid should be fine imo. I agree with Tom on ATE Type 200 too...use the gold version. Use a turkey baster to suck out all the old fluid from the reservoir first before adding fresh stuff to bleed through the system.

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Current stable:
2019 BMW M2 Competition slicktop 6MT
2011 BMW M3 sedan slicktop 6MT
2007 BMW 328i wagon (slushbox for now)
1975 CanAm 125MX2

Matt, if you want to upgrade to Motul, Absolute Automotive in downtown Durham is a Motul dealer, and probably has it in stock.

Bring your tools with you. I'm pretty sure that CDOC will have pads for an ITR sitting on the shelf, and they carry Ate fluid as well. So if you find that the stock stuff isn't getting it done, help is right around the corner.

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Karl S.
2014 Baby, 2014 House, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 BMW 328i, 1994 Mercedes E320
(Insert passive aggressive signature line here)

I second that -- gold=good, blue=bad because of staining. IIRC ATE has a reasonable wet boiling point compared to Motul so it will continue to work well for a longer time than some of the low wet point fluids. (ie after it has sat in the car and absorbed some moisture).

Mike <-- ATE typ200 user in all his cars, BMW and Honda, for 8+ years.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Picked up a litre of ATE Gold from Tom @ Auto Sport so thanks for advice guys...