Blog / Service

DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5: WHICH BMW BRAKE FLUID IS RIGHT FOR MY VEHICLE?

Let’s review the recommended BMW brake fluids to determine what’s best for your model:

DOT 3 brake fluid is manufactured for standard BMW vehicles. This type of fluid has a lower boiling point, which is not an issue unless you drive your vehicle at higher speeds and stop quickly often on roads in Clovis and the nearby communities.

DOT 4 brake fluid is classified as a semi-synthetic product and is made for vehicles with more complex braking systems. If you have a newer vehicle with ABS and power braking capabilities, this may be the right fluid for you.

DOT 5 brake fluid is manufactured for vehicles designed to travel fast. Made from silicone-based products, this BMW brake fluid is often used for racing vehicles where the braking system reaches high speeds. With the highest boiling point, this type of fluid can save your braking system components and provide safe stopping control while driving.

To find out if you are using the right type of brake fluid for your vehicle, the BMW Fresno brake technicians are happy to take a look!

BMW Brake Fluid Color Meanings

Now that you know about DOT 3 vs DOT 4 vs DOT 5 brake fluid, let’s cover what different fluid colors indicate:

  • Clear: Fresh BMW brake fluid is clear with a yellow or amber tint.
  • Light Brown: Your BMW brake fluid color changes as it collects dirt, road dust, and other contaminants. Light brown brake fluid tells you to schedule a flush soon.
  • Dark Brown or Black: If the brake fluid color has turned dark brown or black, it needs to be flushed immediately. Dirty brake fluid cannot lubricate the brakes effectively, resulting in premature wear.

As a general rule, you need the brake fluid for your BMW flushed every 20,000 to 40,000 miles. Call (559) 447-6700 today if it’s time to replace the brake fluid in your vehicle. Our service center near Madera is here to help you stay on top of all car fluid changes and vehicle repairs. For more maintenance tips, check out our tire rotation and BMW key programming guides!

Posted in:

Related Posts

TIRES PRESSURE AND DRIVING CONDITIONS

Tires that are not properly inflated are unsafe to drive on. They also cause the engine to burn more fuel. Not only that, underinflated tires wear out faster. Overinflated tires cause just as much trouble. When a tire has too much air it, it makes a bumpy road feel very rough. Overinflated tires exaggerate potholes and rutted roads. You can test your tire pressure at home with a tire gauge. The best time to check the levels is when the tires are cold. The reading is not as accurate if the tires have been heating up on the road. The PSI (pounds per square inch) or pressure level is stamped on the driver’s door jam and in the owner’s manual. When it is time for new tires, make an appointment with our service department at BMW Fresno conveniently located in Fresno, CA. Our service members will help you select the best tire for your driving conditions.

WHEN SHOULD YOU ROTATE YOUR TIRES?

Rotating your tires is highly important. That is why our team here at BMW Fresno want to ensure that you know the basics. Your tires need to be rotated frequently because they tend to wear in an uneven manner. This can be a result of either the way you drive or the type of vehicle you have. For instance, an AWD vehicle will have very different tire wear than a RWD vehicle. Experts agree that in order to get the most out of your tires you should have them rotated every five to six thousand miles. This ensures that either the front or the back or one side doesn’t wear faster than the other. If you would like to schedule a tire rotation with us or need any other work done on your car, feel free to give us a call or stop on by BMW Fresno, serving the Fresno, CA area today!

STEPS TO CHANGING A FLAT TIRE

Having to change a flat tire can sure be a pain. This is especially true if you don’t yet have any experience with doing it. But once you know the steps to take you will realize that it is not all that big of a deal. If you fall into this category then follow these steps to get your tire changed out: – Break the lug nuts loose with the lug wrench – Raise the vehicle up off of the ground with the jack – Remove the lug nuts completely – Slide the flat tire off of the vehicle – Put the spare tire onto the vehicle – Put the lug nuts back on and tighten them down as best you can – Lower the vehicle back down to the ground – Torque the lug nuts back down tight If you have any questions about changing your tire, then ask one of the service experts here at BMW Fresno.