tobykinkle

Is it safe to use Castrol LMA for brake fluid in a 1997 A4Q, or do I have to stick with the dealer stuff?

Just Me

LMA, while not super high performance, absorbs water very slowly. Therefore, over time, it maintains more of its boiling point integrity and will cause les corrosion. I use it in my S6 and my C4 A6. Note, i do NOT use it in my track car, but that car's fluid is changed twice a year.

Grant

ps: man, this format stinks.

A400

Just be careful using some racing fluids as they have to be changed at a short interval

MrBillFLL

I like ATE super blue, has a higher wet boiling point than some others.

Plus its blue and you can see any leaks, and easy to flush with alternate color. castrol LMA is a good brakefluid.
IMHO, in any case, you should completly flush any brake system every few years. little messy, but cheap insurance on expensive caliper or abs sensor repairs. especially down in the humid south!

IIRC, castrol SRF is the highest dry boiling point, but its 90/qt, and it takes a few quarts to flush a system.

MrBillFLL

how do I edit?

does audi have any special required brake fluids?

I use the ate... and bleed at least 2x a year.

ate:
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/acces...tail.jsp?ID=21

SRF:

http://www.amazon.com/Brake-Fluids-C.../dp/B000JL760C

johnsherris

I bought two liters of ATE Superblue The ATE is good if you drive your car on the street and is not just a track car. The cost is lower and the hydroscopic affinity is supposedly less than some other brands.ATE Super Blue Racing High Performance Brake Fluid is designed to excel within the extreme demands made on a race vehicle and exceeds all DOT4 standards.

Just Me

LMA, especially the newest LMA is excellent. Wet boiling is >> 329 degF. All DOT3 and DOT4 are chemically compatible ( its DOT4). Yes, there is higher temp fluid, but they absorb water faster, and are totally un-necessary on the street. Some people are even beginning to use LMA as poor man's track fluid (if you're not all that fast and hard on brakes.

So the short answer is, "heck yes".

G

Just Me

Audi specs DOT4 "plus" DOT3, DOT4 and DOT4 "plus ( which is a term basically made up by Audi) are all chemically compatible and may be mixed or inter-exchanged. They differ only in boiling point.

Fluid should be flushed, not bled, every 2-3 years. This is due to the fact that brake fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs water. Water makes it boil at a lower temperature, and corrodes your brake system. In theory.

ate is good stuff. Over-kill, but good. LMA may be better since it absorbs less water.

G

Just Me

yep, each tool has its purpose. Its not "good" vs. "bad". that's why i think LMA is nto just "ok", but a great choice. Better than ate, motul, etc.

Whatever you do, no DOT5

G