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DOT4 – 160 degrees Celsius/311 Fahrenheit.DOT 3: Wet boiling point – 140 degrees Celsius/284 Fahrenheit.The Department of Transportation (DOT) classifies brake fluid as follows: After it absorbs enough moisture to have 8 percent water content, the boiling point drops to that of water, around 100 degrees Celsius/212 Farenheit. Once it has absorbed 3.7 percent water by volume, it’s measured in terms of its wet boiling point. Brand new brake fluid that hasn’t absorbed any water is described in terms of its dry boiling point. Why Are There Different DOT Classifications for Brake Fluid?ĭifferent brake fluid types have different boiling points. You don’t want to find out your brakes aren’t effective when you’re cruising down a twisty mountain road or you need to make a sudden stop in heavy Dallas traffic. Eventually, the fluid becomes unable to transmit the pressure you need for stopping force. The longer you put it off, the more water your brake fluid absorbs and the less effective it will be, especially in demanding situations and on long rides.īubbles of water vapor form as heat rises. It's never okay for motorcycle brakes to fail, and waiting to change the brake fluid becomes a game of Russian Roulette. Over time it absorbs more and more moisture, and water boils at a much lower temperature. Even though it travels through a closed system, it still comes into contact with water as it passes through hoses and seals. The second you or the service tech you hire opens the bottle of brake fluid, that fluid starts absorbing moisture. That helps it transmit pressure evenly to your brakes.īut brake fluid contains glycol, a substance that absorbs moisture from the air. For example, DOT 4 has a boiling point around 140 degrees Celsius, 311 Fahrenheit. When it's new, brake fluid has an extremely high boiling point. What Happens If You Don't Change Your Motorcycle Brake Fluid?
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Your brake fluid is what transfers that force and allows you to stop by converting kinetic energy into heat energy. When you apply pressure to the pedal or lever, pistons in your brakes turn the mechanical force applied by your hand or foot into hydraulic pressure. The braking system on your Harley® is a pretty sophisticated collection of levers, pistons and fluid that supplies stopping force to the front and rear brakes. What Does Brake Fluid Do For Your Harley®? Let's talk about what brake fluid does, how often you need to change it and the best way to get it taken care of this month. It's a big deal, but it probably won't get you killed.īut if you don't take care of your brakes, it puts you at greater risk of brake failure that leads to an accident. If you don't have your oil changed on schedule, that means more wear and tear on your engine and reduced efficiency and longevity. There aren't many aspects of motorcycle maintenance you can put off, but some are absolutely critical to your safety. The Ultimate Brake Fluid Change Guide for Harleys