Brake fluid is the lifeline of the braking system as it allows them to control the movement of the vehicle adequately. There were times when the best DOT 5.1 brake fluid was considered only for racing cars, but things have changed recently. The number of people who begin using this standard of fluid in their ABS brake systems has increased thanks to the huge number of benefits offered by it. Many people believe that DOT 4 & DOT 5.1 is the same, and it is only a way to fool the customers.
However, you need to understand that DOT 5 comes with different applications that DOT 4 can never offer. It is a silicone brake fluid that works like a paint remover and never absorbs water from the environment. This type of fluid has very high levels of dry & wet boiling points along with having better compressibility.
Top 5 Best DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid Reviews and buying guide
Now, let’s come to the real business for which you have arrived on this platform. We understand that this oil is manufactured by a great number of brands that make the selection process difficult. To make things easier, our expert team has tested the top models available to create a list of top 5 best DOT 5.1 brake fluid available to shop in 2020. Let’s check out all these brake oils and buy the one you like the most.
1. Motul DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid (Editor’s choice)
The top option in the list is this high-quality brake fluid that has beaten all the competitors by a significant margin. It is an excellent option for a variety of vehicles like motorcycles, pickups, and cars for extra convenience. This product is manufactured by a reputed brand like Motul who have never disappointed their buyers. Apart from DOT 5.1, it is perfectly compatible with DOT 3 and DOT 4 braking systems for boosting the performance. It has an incredible glycol formulation with a dry boiling of 270° Celsius.
It is available in many different types of packaging that range from 1 to 12 bottles of 500 ml for making sure everyone gets the required amount as per their vehicle’s needs. It is 100% synthetic oil that makes sure you can even pour it into a heavy vehicle. The performance of this unit is pretty extraordinary when compared with the number of options available in the market. Almost 95% of buyers are happy with their braking system once they pour this fluid. This DOT 5.1 brake fluid definitely deserves the money that you spent on it.
Another thing that we like about this fluid is its ability to not getting break down even in the hot temperature. Generally, a low-quality fluid finds it difficult to cope with the harsh environment that isn’t the case with this one. Overall, we are happy to say that it surpasses all our expectations when it comes to performance and longevity. Our team happily recommends the buyers to invest in this fluid as it won’t disappoint you.
Pros
- Equipped with excellent boiling points
- Perfect for people who prefer hard braking
- Capable of absorbing water quickly
- Make brake consistent & smoother
Cons
- Very expensive to shop
- Delivered only in 500 ml quantity, but available in large packages
2. Brembo High-Performance DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid (Runners up)
The next one is a brake fluid that comes with a great variety of excellent characteristics that allow it to tackle high temperatures and viscosity. It is highly recommended to the people who own a high-performance car & truck with an ABS braking system. The creator of this brake fluid is Brembo who has an experience of more than 40 years in this industry. It is pretty assured that the vehicle will perform brilliantly, even if you drive it continuously at high speeds.
Furthermore, it is sold at a price that won’t be bad for your pocket at all. The people who love riding fast cars will love this fluid and won’t look anywhere else. It equipped with a solid sort of excellent braking qualities that even costliest options in the market can’t offer. It comes with a wet boiling point of 270° Celsius that ensures the oil performs much better than the expectations. Unlike cheap quality options, it has an extended shelf life along with better longevity.
This brake fluid exceeds the specifications of both DOT 3 and DOT 4, which means you even use them for lower grade brake systems. Moreover, it has a unique formula that allows support of a great number of racing cars & trucks adequately. That’s not all; you can even pour it into a bicycle brake system for making the performance better. In simple words, we will say that it is a nice upgrade that you can make for getting the desired level of results.
Pros
- Very affordable lubricant to shop
- Made using top-quality ingredients
- Equipped with excellent anti-vapor lock powers
- Delivered in a very beautiful packaging
Cons
- Only delivered in 1-liter packaging
- Minor issues with motorcycle brake systems, but numbers aren’t too high
3. Pitstop 5.1 DOT Hydraulic BR Fluid (Best for the everyday vehicle)
If you want to shop the best DOT 5.1 brake fluid for everyday cars or trucks, then there is no need to look beyond this option from the Pitstop brand. It has worked beyond expectations for the majority of buyers who have even recommended it to people in their friend circle. Finding this quality level at such a low price is almost next to impossible even if you shop during discounted deals. The company delivers it in a well-packaged condition allowing you even to gift the bottle to a car lover.
It may not be an excellent choice for racing cars, but the average users won’t find a better option than this one considering the price. The manufacturer of this brake fluid has designed it by keeping the daily office-goers and college guys who often look for a smart pick at an affordable price. Apart from top-class performance, it prevents overheating and foaming to a larger extent. This brake fluid is fully compatible with DOT 4 and DOT 3 brakes along with DOT 5.1 ABS systems.
The manufacturer hasn’t compromised in terms of quality despite selling it at affordable prices. They have done a fine chemistry job that allows the fluid to perform excellently even at high temperatures. On top of that, this oil also features a super-low viscosity that allows it to yield excellent lever response along with better pad retraction. It is a nice upgrade that you can make instead of using your old DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid.
Pros
- Equipped with a superior ability to tackle water
- Keeps the heat away in high temperatures
- Available at an ultra-affordable price
- Feature low viscosity levels
Cons
- Doesn’t delivered with grease as shown in the picture
- Not appropriate for racing cars
4. Easy Bleed DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid with kit (Best for hydraulic disc brakes)
If you want to make the efficiency of a hydraulic disc brake, then this one is the most magnificent choice to make. It is a 100ml high-performance liquid that will make the working better for sure. Many readers ask us to suggest a high-quality DOT 5.1 brake fluid for bicycles or bikes as everyone doesn’t prefer riding cars. The company delivers it with a detailed instruction manual to ensure that you can pour it without the help of a mechanic. It is a super-easy way of boosting the efficiency of your vehicle.
We guarantee that you will be succeeded in the operation of your brake with the maximum potential. It is delivered in a kit equipped with two drip-free syringes. One end of this syringe is attached to the lever, whereas the other is set to the lever with a motive to create the right level of vacuum very quickly. Bleeding the brakes with this fluid will allow it to regain the power tremendously. It will get the power and modulation for which the new hydraulic brakes are known for.
It is an excellent option for both beginners and experienced bikers who often drive at extreme temperatures. Another reason that people like shopping this fluid is the super low price. You are going to enjoy the perfect value for the money and make the performance better. Investing in this top-quality brake fluid is the most convincing thing to do if you own a bike with a hydraulic brake.
Pros
- Available at a very affordable price
- A great solution for bleeding breaks
- Boosts brake performance
- Delivered with a proper instructional manual
Cons
- Only sold in a 100 ml bottle
- Not for cars & trucks
5. SRAM 5.1 DOT Hydraulic Brake Fluid (Best for minimizing water absorption)
Are you tired of water on the brakes that affect its performance? If you are one of those people, then we suggest buying the 5.1 DOT hydraulic brake fluid that crafted using top-quality material. It has a very high boiling point that prevents water absorption to a great level. There is only a need to use this fluid once a year for allowing it to perform as per the full potential. The manufacturer has crafted it in a completely non-silicone formula that allows the brakes consistently.
It is delivered with a sealed vacuum for making sure water absorption can be prevented adequately so that the boiling point of fluids gets reduced. Many people deal with plague issues in the hydraulic discs, but it can be significantly avoided by pouring this fluid into the system. If you often drive long distances at high speed, then it is pretty assured that the heating temperature will be increased. However, this fluid will allow you to eliminate all these issues and enjoy riding with adequate brakes.
It has all the standards that are recommended for DOT 5.1 brake fluid making sure buyers don’t worry about the authenticity. The majority of buyers are happy with the performance of this oil and called it a perfect option to shop. There are slight issues with the seal of the unit, but the numbers aren’t too much, so buyers can think it with a calm mind. Enjoy comfortable riding on your vehicle after using this fluid in your braking system.
Pros
- Excellent for racing cars
- Equipped with a very high boiling point
- Delivered in a sealed bag
- Made from pure quality ingredients
Cons
- Very low quantity in the bottle
- Issues in sealing by some buyers
What is the difference between DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 brake fluid?
We have already explained the basic differences between DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 brake fluids. Allow us to explain them using the table below in a better way.
Specialty | DOT 4 | DOT 5.1 |
Boiling Point | The dry boiling point & wet boiling point of DOT 4 is 230 C and 155C respectively. It is much lower when compared with the DOT 5.1 brake fluids. | If we talk about DOT 5.1, the dry & wet boiling points are 260C and 180C respectively. It means the DOT 5.1 brake fluid boil less under extreme heating conditions when compared with DOT 4 or DOT 3. |
Chemical Composition | These brake fluids are created using a combination of borate and glycol. | This type of brake fluids is manufactured by blending tributylphosphate and hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane. |
Boiling Capacity | The dry boiling capacity of DOT 4 is considered amazing, but they aren’t so good in terms of wet boiling capacity. | The DOT 5.1 has the best dry & wet boiling capacity among all the brake fluids available in the market. |
Price | The price of a high-quality DOT 4 brake fluid falls between $15 &$ 45 depending on the size. | Its price range from $20 $ $60 according to the sizing of the bottle. |
Water Absorption | The DOT 4 brake fluid absorbs water from the environment to some extent. | There is no amount of water absorbed by the DOT 5.1 brake fluid from the atmosphere at all. |
Corrosion Prevention | Create some amount of harm to the paint. | These types of brake fluids cause less level of harm to the paint when compared with the DOT 4. |
What are the benefits of using a DOT 5.1 brake fluid?
We are pretty assured that you have already got a glimpse of why you should pour DOT 5.1 brake fluid in your vehicle. However, there must still be many readers who might be thinking about whether to invest in this level of oil or not. If you are one of them, then read the below section in detail where we have mentioned about the potential benefits of a DOT 5.1 brake fluid:
Top-class viscosity
Unlike other types of oils, the viscosity of a DOT 5.1 brake fluid is hard to match. There are superior viscosity-temperature abilities offered over both high & low-temperature range. The thing we want to say here is this type of oil offers stable viscosity over extended periods.
Superior Performance
The second most convincing benefit of having a DOT 5.1 brake fluid is an excellent performance that it offers in harsh conditions. Expecting this kind of performance from DOT 3 and DOT 4 will be a completely hopeless thing to do. So, if you are one of those people who often drive through tough roads, then you should use the DOT 5.1 brake oil.
Better Heat Dissipation
Many of our readers might get surprised to know that pouring DOT 5.1 brake fluid will result in providing a tremendous sort of heat dissipation. It can’t be offered by DOT 3 and DOT 4 in any manner.
How have we tested the best DOT 5.1 brake fluid? Buying Guide
Picking a brake fluid randomly from an online platform or a retail store will turn out to be a disaster that everyone should avoid. We have seen many people who end up destroying their brake system by using a cheap quality fluid. We don’t the readers to end up making the same mistake that costs them dearly in the end.
That’s why we have tested the different brands of DOT 5.1 brake fluid on a variety of parameters for ensuring their authenticity. Have a look at the factors we have considered while choosing the DOT 5.1 brake fluid below:
Mixing Ability
If we believe that all the brands of DOT 5.1 have the same level of mixability, then you are thinking completely wrong. This ability may vary from one brand to another. Many buyers just go for a big brand that doesn’t always offer good results.
Our expert team has tested the mixability of brake fluids manufactured by many brands carefully before adding them to this list. All these oil bottles mix well and perform exceptionally well in terms of responsiveness.
Budget
As you can see, our team always puts a strong emphasis on the budget while shopping for any equipment or solution for their car or truck? Many readers will think that brake fluid doesn’t cost too much, and that’s why they shouldn’t care much about the budget.
However, we suggest the buyers never to make this mistake as a little bit smartness will let you save lots of money. Only invest in the DOT 5.1 brake fluid that is worthy of its price. All the options that we have provided in the post are capable of giving great returns to the buyers.
Moisture
There are many models of brake fluid that claims to have low moisture content, but they don’t have the desired properties in reality. Please ensure that the brake fluid you are shopping should have a low moisture level as it is the main reason we buy a DOT 5.1 oil.
Moisture is a part of an automobile system that will stay for sure. The thing we need to do is buying the brake fluid that has absorbed moisture to the minimum level.
Non-corrosiveness
The DOT 5.1 brake fluid you are shopping shouldn’t be corrosive in nature as it can affect the ABS system in a wrong manner. It won’t cause any damage to the brake system and boost the smoothness to a greater level.
The things we ensure here is that all the DOT 5.1 brake fluid has low corrosive nature that ensures no damage occurs to the brake system.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the main applications of DOT 5.1 brake fluid?
There are no restrictions about using the DOT 5.1 brake fluid in any brake system as it is compatible with DOT 3 and DOT 4 systems adequately. It is a silicone-based fluid that doesn’t absorb any water content from the atmosphere in any manner.
2. Does DOT 5.1 brake fluid cause damage to the paint?
This one is the biggest benefit of using a DOT 5.1 brake fluid as it causes very little damage to paint when compared with DOT 4 or DOT 3. Moreover, it cleans up very quickly without causing any problem at all.
3. Can DOT 5.1 replaces DOT 4 & DOT 3?
The DOT 5.1 is a silicone brake fluid that in almost all modern vehicles nowadays. There is no doubt that it is costly in price, but their high boiling capacity allows them last longer. Yes, you can use them as an upgrade or replacement for both DOT 3 and DOT 4 compatible systems.
4. Is all the DOT 5.1 brake fluid the same?
Well, it is completely right all the DOT 5.1 brake fluid meets the appropriate 5.1 standards. However, it doesn’t mean all the companies offer the same level of quality. The quality of brake fluid varies from one model to another for sure. That’s why it is strongly suggested to invest only in the best DOT 5.1 brake fluid as they give better returns.
5. Does DOT 5.1 brake fluid tackle with heat better?
Yes, it is the main reason automobile experts suggest pouring DOT 5.1 in their braking system. As we have already explained, this silicone-based brake fluid has a better boiling point that allows it to deal with heat in a better manner.
Conclusion
What do you think about our pick in this post regarding the best DOT 5.1 brake fluid? Our team has tried to cover numerous things with a motive to educate the readers. The price of each model is slightly different from the other, so please decide appropriately. Having a high-quality DOT 5.1 brake fluid boosts the performance and protects against water penetration.
Do you still have something in mind regarding this type of brake fluid? If yes, we suggest writing about it in the comment section so our team can answer it.
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