Dot 4 Brake Fluid change
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
Dot 5 doesn't absorb water , nor will it hurt paint.
however it wont work with abs brakes
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,536
Likes: 1,035
From: Pennsylvania
Well, once again I'm happy I have a 2006 with no ABS. My Ultra does use DOT 4 though. It's a pain to have to keep the separate fluid and bleeder around just for the Harley when all my other vehicles use DOT 3. If I could I'd convert it to #3 but I know that's not Kosher. And I do flush my brakes at least every 2 years.
Last edited by DaveE; Jul 4, 2017 at 08:26 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
I know. Makes me glad I have an old bike that uses DOT 5.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Jul 4, 2017 at 12:52 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
or you can go out and cycle the ABS on wet pavement or gravel
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,682
Likes: 8,414
From: Utah
Ride Safe
Bill
Last edited by Vernal; Jul 4, 2017 at 12:47 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 417
From: Outer Banks, NC
Can I mix them? Or do I have to drain, clean and re-fill?
Received a letter from Harley Davidson stating the Dot 4 brake fluid should be changed every two years to avoid brake failure (and possible injury or death.....). Suggests having work done at the dealer with no mention of price adjustment or anything for that matter.
This seems like a slippery way to avoid taking responsibility for what is really a design/application error imo. Now they can say "we told you" and avoid any having to pay for their screw up. Total BS. What is more of a safety issue than brakes?
This seems like a slippery way to avoid taking responsibility for what is really a design/application error imo. Now they can say "we told you" and avoid any having to pay for their screw up. Total BS. What is more of a safety issue than brakes?
yup:
wonder why they sent the letter... ??
must have been some numbskull running around with 10 year old brake fluid trying to sue. "NOBODY TOLD ME!"
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,536
Likes: 1,035
From: Pennsylvania
It won't hurt to add DOT 4 to a system currently filled with DOT 3. They're compatible. And if you decide to go DOT 4 in your currently DOT 3 vehicles, just do the switchover on your next flush. You don't have to do a thorough cleaning as you would if going to DOT 5 from a glycol fluid.
Last edited by DaveE; Jul 4, 2017 at 12:18 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 459
From: Here and now
In the eyes of the Harley fanboys HD can do no wrong. God forbid anyone tries badmouthing Harley Davidson and their amazing engineers. Lets face it this is POOR DESIGN/ENGINEERING!!!
Can you imagine what would happen if in a car the brakes stopped working if you didn't change your brake fluid every two years and you lost your brakes. This would be all over the news and their would be a class action lawsuit against the company. Maybe it only affects a small number of bikes but I wouldn't want to be the one to lose my brakes in an emergency situation.
It would be one thing if the ABS stopped working and we still had brakes and we had a $700 bill to correct the problem. It is a totally differrent story when the lever or pedal become rock hard and we lose our brakes.
I know allot of people who never change the fluid their automobiles and they never have brake problems.
Don't get me wrong I love my bike (this is my 4th HD) but poor engineering is poor engineering and HD needs to step up and fix the problem even if it costs them a boatload of money and the CEO and top management take a hit on their bonus' and the stock price drops a bit.
Can you imagine what would happen if in a car the brakes stopped working if you didn't change your brake fluid every two years and you lost your brakes. This would be all over the news and their would be a class action lawsuit against the company. Maybe it only affects a small number of bikes but I wouldn't want to be the one to lose my brakes in an emergency situation.
It would be one thing if the ABS stopped working and we still had brakes and we had a $700 bill to correct the problem. It is a totally differrent story when the lever or pedal become rock hard and we lose our brakes.
I know allot of people who never change the fluid their automobiles and they never have brake problems.
Don't get me wrong I love my bike (this is my 4th HD) but poor engineering is poor engineering and HD needs to step up and fix the problem even if it costs them a boatload of money and the CEO and top management take a hit on their bonus' and the stock price drops a bit.