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Manual Transmission Clutch Fluid
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What to use for Manual Transmission Clutch Fluid?Many modern vehicles with a manual transmission and clutch no longer use a cable to connect the brake pedal to the clutch throw out fork. Rather, modern clutches are actuated using a hydraulic system very similar to a hydraulic brake system. Attached to the clutch pedal, there is a master cylinder containing hydraulic fluid that is pressurized when the clutch pedal is depressed. This pressurized fluid in turn actuates the slave cylinder located near the transmission bell housing and in turn disengages the clutch. Sometimes people wonder what they should use for manual transmission clutch fluid. A standard DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid should be all that is necessary for use as manual transmission clutch fluid. Check your owners manual to see if there is some unusual exception on your particular vehicle, but in most cases you should be able to simply add the same brake fluid that you use in your vehicle's brake system. If you need to top off your clutch master cylinder reservoir or refill the system entirely, then buy a fresh bottle of brake fluid. It's cheap enough. Don't use old stuff that's been sitting on your shelf for a long time (unless it was stored in an unopened metal can). Brake fluid can absorb moisture very easily. It is even said that brake fluid in an unopened plastic container will still be able to absorb some moisture through the plastic container, so that's why it's not recommended to use brake fluid that has been sitting on the shelf for a long time in a plastic container (even if it was never opened). For this reason, some brake fluids are sold in metal cans - to prevent this moisture infiltration. Regardless of the container, if it's been opened then typically it's best not to use it. Air that was trapped in the partially filled container could have contained moisture that was then absorbed by the fluid. Just for the record, brake fluids are typically categorized as DOT 2, 3, 4, 5. Generally speaking, the higher the DOT #, then the higher the heat tolerance and boiling point of the fluid. This higher boiling point might be good for a high performance brake system on a sports car or race car, because brakes that are used heavily will generate a tremendous amount of heat at the brake calipers. Since a hydraulic clutch system does not get hot like the brake system, then there is no reason to buy a higher grade brake fluid unless your owner's manual specifically calls out something different. Related to brake fluids, DOT 2 stuff is outdated and designed for old drum brake systems. DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid is pretty standard these days. DOT 5 is a high performance brake fluid (often silicone based) that can handle very high temperatures. That is good for a race car, but don't waste your time/money trying to find the stuff for your typical vehicle. In addition, DOT 5 is NOT compatible with other brake fluids, and if you try to mix it with other fluids, it will react and cause your brake system trouble. Again, if you have it, then check your owners manual to see what it specifies as the proper manual transmission clutch fluid for your particular vehicle.
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Manual Transmission Clutch Fluid
