scottalexander

I have a 2010 model 528i

There are guys that bleed their brake calipers often and keep the master cylinder clean.

What brand of brake fluid are the 528i owners using?

Does the brand really make any difference?

seanjordan20

It takes Dot 3. Unless you're racing it doesn't. Go to the local auto parts and pick up a bottle. If you want to splurge get dot 4. Lol

scottalexander

Most everyone would run 5w-30 synthetic in their crankcase.

Do most people run Dot 4 synthetic in their master cylinder or regular Dot 4?

seanjordan20

There is only 3 types of brake fluid (dot 3, dot 4 and dot 5). Dot 5 you would not use. The difference in dot 3 and dot 4 is its boiling point. Dot 3 is for the everyday driver. Dot 4 would be put in a sports car. You can use either 3 or 4. It does the same thing.

jtbgonesailing

Actually our cars, e60, are specked by BMW for DOT 4 lv. LV stands for low viscosity.

seanjordan20

Correction on my part dot 4 is what it requires. I just did a fluid change on all my cars and thought it said dot 3 on the cap. I use dot 4 on all mine so I guess I never thought to look

scottalexander

I've been reading a bunch of posts on the web.

There are guys out there that are mixing Dot 4 with Dot 4 which would seems to be ok on the surface, but are claiming they loose their brakes and the pedal goes to the floor after a few days.

Some say you can mix Dot 4 with other Dot 4 suppliers, but some claim its destroying their master cylinder.

For every day driving are most 528i owners using Castrol GT LMA dot 4?

Who makes the BMW dot 4 the dealer uses when they bleed your brakes?

seanjordan20

That is something I've never heard. The break system is a closed system which produces pressure. The only way you loose you brakes is if there is air in the line or you did not properly bleed the brakes. The fluid is there to push the caliper and as long as the system is closed with no air that is what it would do

jtbgonesailing

BMW labeled DOT 4 LV is supplied by Pentosen, if I am not mistaken, as an OEM supplier.

Pentosen is available at most AdvancedAuto parts stores in both the Pentosen DOT 4 and the Pentosen DOT 4 LV. The low viscosity is what is specified for e60's.

BostonJon

i used ATE DOT 4 that I bought from Amazon for $15. It wasn't expensive enough that I questioned using something other than the OEM-spec fluid.