The Owner's Manual clearly states that you should only use Honda DOT 3 Brake Fluid.
For the life of me, I can't figure out why other brands' DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid should be used as a temporary replacement per the owners manual! Any thoughts?
For the life of me, I can't figure out why other brands' DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid should be used as a temporary replacement per the owners manual!
Well, the bottom line is that we don't really know. The cynical might suggest it is only to make Honda more money. But I find it interesting to note that Honda doesn't make a similar statement about their motor oil. I could be wrong, but I'm not convinced that DOT3 is DOT3 is DOT3. The US Federal Government lays out the minimum specs that a brake fluid must meet to be DOT3. You can read those specs here:
Now, I don't see any reason why Honda's brake fluid can't be slightly different in its composition -- as long as it meets the specs in the link provided above. Is Mobil1 0w-20 oil the same as Pennzoil Platinum 0w-20 oil the same as Honda 0w-20 oil? Well, they all meet the API spec. But are they slightly different? Virgin oil analyses confirm it. Perhaps there is something unique about brake fluid that prevents there being any differences amongst the various DOT3 brands, but I don't know.
I just can't understand why Penzoil DOT 4 would be any more harmful to the master cylinder, lines, calipers or anything else in the brake system than Honda DOT 3.
Given that I have extra DOT 4 lying around at home, it would really be nice not to have to buy more brake fluid.
In the "old" days Honda used whale oil in the front shocks on motorcycles. Tough to find at the auto supply, turns out ATF worked just fine. Go ahead and use your DOT 4 and quit worring about it.
These discussions go on all the time in different car forums. The subject of interest includes: antifreeze, motor oil, gear and trans oil (especially ATF) and brake fluids. Once in a blue moon, the mfr has some distinct reason for spec'ing their own product. However, almost always, the generic off the shelf products (that meet Industry Standards) prove to be perfectly acceptable in form, fit and function.... and cheaper.
Besides the Insight, I also own an old crusty Honda VF500, with 115,000 miles on the clock.
It has a hydraulic master cylinder for the clutch which gets used allot, as the bike has six forward speeds.
If the no-name fluids were not compatible, the seals would have swelled or worn-out years ago.
I have used whatever brake fluid is available in the garage for bleeding the clutch system every five years or so, and seems to be working fine after 23 years of service. Yes, I bought it new right off the showroom floor.
When it comes to bleeding brake fluid, should I bleed according to the service manual, or should I bleed when I notice the fluid change color? Right now, it still looks pristine, translucent amber brownish, but I'm slightly over 90k miles.
The primary concern w/ brake fluid is water. It will rust the internal brake system components. The big problem is that brake fluid absorbs moisture quickly. So even if your fluid looks clear, you do not know if moisture is present. I flush and bleed all my car's brakes every two years. If I track a car, it gets changed before and after the event.
Check out speedbleeders for an easy way to bleed your brakes.
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Owner's Manual Brake Fluid Specification
