I'm due for a brake fluid change... i have the ALH tdi (2003), brake and clutch are a shared reservoir.
my service manual states:
Permissible brake fluid specification
t Brake fluid conforming to US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 (previous brake fluid)
t Brake fluid conforming to VW standard, VW 501 14 (new brake fluid).
...so its saying i should use vw spec fluid for a renewal.
that said, many manufacturers, e.g. Castrol, state that their dot 4 fluid is suitable for vw's
from what i understand the VW spec fluid is low viscosity at lower temperatures.
trouble is, there arent many brands that meet the spec (Liqui moly sl6 and pentosin dot 4 LV are the only ones i can find) - and theyre about twice the price at least.
To be honest, i've decided to go with DOT 4 since its available from my usual supplier and i'm ordering a bunch of other stuff off them too, so its cheaper to get it all in one go... besides, i dont use the brakes much anyway! (joking, only joking...)
but it would be interesting to get folks opinions on this anyway, so fire away!
my service manual states:
Permissible brake fluid specification
t Brake fluid conforming to US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 (previous brake fluid)
t Brake fluid conforming to VW standard, VW 501 14 (new brake fluid).
...so its saying i should use vw spec fluid for a renewal.
that said, many manufacturers, e.g. Castrol, state that their dot 4 fluid is suitable for vw's
from what i understand the VW spec fluid is low viscosity at lower temperatures.
trouble is, there arent many brands that meet the spec (Liqui moly sl6 and pentosin dot 4 LV are the only ones i can find) - and theyre about twice the price at least.
To be honest, i've decided to go with DOT 4 since its available from my usual supplier and i'm ordering a bunch of other stuff off them too, so its cheaper to get it all in one go... besides, i dont use the brakes much anyway! (joking, only joking...)
but it would be interesting to get folks opinions on this anyway, so fire away!