Brake lines and cylinders use fluid. consisting of a mixture of glycol, polyglycol ether and some other constituents. It is a yellow poisonous liquid that corrodes car enamel. It does not, however, have a harmful effect on metal and rubber parts. At a temperature of -40°C, it still remains quite liquid. Despite its low viscosity, the liquid has an extremely high boiling point: about 260°C.
But brake fluid also has a very unpleasant property: it is hygroscopic, that is, it readily absorbs water. Water due to air humidity can enter the brake system: from the tank, as well as through microscopic leaks in the brake hoses and rubber cuffs. The penetration of water into the brake system leads not only to corrosion of metal parts, but also causes a rapid decrease in the boiling point. When the liquid contains only 2.5% water, the boiling point drops to 150°C.
When the brakes are heavily loaded (e.g. driving in mountainous areas, possibly with a trailer, frequent full braking on the freeway) this is dangerous as they then become very hot.
Vapor locks in the brake fluid may form near hot brakes. The bubbles can compress, so that the brake pedal can be pressed very deeply, but the expected deceleration does not occur. In this case, sometimes quick help "pitching" brake pedal. This effect is especially dangerous when stopping the car after a heavy load of the brakes, because due to the lack of air flow, the brake system heats up even more. The maximum temperature is maintained up to 15 minutes of parking. Only after about half an hour is the permissible temperature of the brake fluid restored. Therefore, according to the maintenance plan, it is prescribed to change the brake fluid every two years (see section "Brake Fluid Replacement", chapter "brakes") Brake fluid must comply with FMVSS 116 DOT 3 or DOT 1 specifications. All fluids with DOT 3 or DOT 1 specifications can be safely mixed (our analogues "Dew" And "Rosa-2").
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