Brake Fluid Capacity

[hollapm]

I am lo0oking to flush out my brake system and put in synthetic fluid. 2 questions:
1) What is the capacity of the system (how much fluid do I need to buy to flush the system?
2) What fluid do you recommend (I try to drive the explorer like a sports car, Yes, I know its not a sports car.)
I've been told AP Racing is good, any reviews?

 

[pumpkin]

I am lo0oking to flush out my brake system and put in synthetic fluid. 2 questions:
1) What is the capacity of the system (how much fluid do I need to buy to flush the system?
2) What fluid do you recommend (I try to drive the explorer like a sports car, Yes, I know its not a sports car.)
I've been told AP Racing is good, any reviews?

1) Who knows? Just buy two 32oz bottles, flush, and fill it up to the line.
2) I've been using Prestone Synthectic Brake Fluid from Walmart for years. It's about $4 a bottle and works well for me since I don't drive my Explorer like a sports car.

 

[ummduh]

I used one of the large bottles of DOT 4 fluid to flush. I used the whole thing, but I know I wasted a lot as my fluid was really, really nasty and I wanted to be really, really sure it was flushed well.

 

[trucku]

remember to do it the following order RRear, LRear, RFront and LFront

 

[CDW6212R]

About a quart should do it. There are several good aftermarket fluid brands, any of them will be much better than the cheap parts store brands.

Bleeding the fluid to fresh fluid is more important than the kind though, take your time.

Don't anyone confuse the synthetic brake fluid with synthetic brake fluid. I haven't noticed that any of the better brands state that they are synthetic. But be careful that you do not buy "synthetic" brake fluid, DOT 5. True DOT 5 synthetic brake fluid is only for storing a vehicle, like a show car. It is not good for actual vehicle daily use. Take care,

 

[hollapm]

Thanks for all the help. I opted to go with 4 x .5L (16,9 oz) bottles of AP fluid. Probably more than I need, but its not like I'm paying 1.50 for water. ;-) I also ordered carbotech pads. I read a lot of great reviews on them. I'll post the results after I install them, as well as after I have some miles on them.

 

[aldive]

Don't anyone confuse the synthetic brake fluid with synthetic brake fluid. I haven't noticed that any of the better brands state that they are synthetic.

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=51

 

[hollapm]

The fluid I am looking at is 5.1 fluid (so not synthetic) and it works with DOT 3 and DOT 4. Have you heard anything on 5.1 fluid?

 

[CDW6212R]

I know of the Synpower Al, that's my favorite. I just think that it's likely that many brands are now synthetic, but the old DOT 5 stuff is being forgotten, fortunately.