Brake fluid
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447
Likes: 55
From: Seattle area
Brake fluid
I am having the brake fluid flushed on my 2008 Heritage.
Dealer said would use DOT-5.
I started reading about brake fluid and got so confused, I gave up.
Is DOT-5 the proper one?
Thanks
Dealer said would use DOT-5.
I started reading about brake fluid and got so confused, I gave up.
Is DOT-5 the proper one?
Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,144
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
Probably is.... it usually says right on your master cylinder cap. Of course if it's a used bike, heaven only knows what a prior owner has done.
Harley used DOT 5 for awhile. I have it in my '03 Heritage and DOT 4 in my '12 Limited.
DOT 5 is actually superior to DOT 4, but it does not play well with ABS systems. When Harley went to ABS brakes, they had to go backwards to DOT 4.
I lose track of the timing of all the changes, but if your Heritage does not have ABS brakes, it's a good bet it has DOT 5 brake fluid...
Edit: I just did some reading. It appears HD went to ABS on police service in '05 and for '08 the touring and Vrods got ABS... it's probable that when they started using ABS in '05 or '08, they went back to DOT 4 for all bikes to keep it simple... hopefully your dealer will know for sure.
If you ever want to know for sure, here is a simple test: use a clean syringe to remove some fluid from your master cylinder. A bottle cap's worth is more than enough. Now take your choice of brake fluid, and just add a drop to the amount taken from your master cylinder. If it mixes, your master cylinder is compatible with whatever type you tested with. If it stays separate (like a drop of oil in water) they are not compatible....
Last edited by hattitude; Mar 11, 2017 at 10:41 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 302
From: Lorain Ohio
my 02 v rod was dot 5 but 05 electra glide was dot 4....I would not go to 5 with just a flush, I would think a disassembly/clean/new O rings would be needed for the master cyl an calipers.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 901
From: Omaha
My 09 Heritage per the owner's manual uses DOT 4.
I didn't look it up in my service manual but I'm sure it states the same.
If the dealer is doing the flush and they get it wrong they will just have to fix it.
I didn't look it up in my service manual but I'm sure it states the same.
If the dealer is doing the flush and they get it wrong they will just have to fix it.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I have a few older bikes that used DOT five. But not wanting to have two different kinds I changed them to DOT 4. Drain thoroughly using a vacuum bleeder pump then fill and flush two to three times.
DOT five is better for racing as it has a high boiling temperature. DOT 4 does acquire moisture over time and should be flushed at least every two years.
I don't know the year that they changed but my 10's were Dot 4. My 2000, 3 and 5 were Dot 5.
DOT five is better for racing as it has a high boiling temperature. DOT 4 does acquire moisture over time and should be flushed at least every two years.
I don't know the year that they changed but my 10's were Dot 4. My 2000, 3 and 5 were Dot 5.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 338
Likes: 82
From: England
If your 2008 softail has standard brakes then Dot 4 is the correct fluid, not Dot 5.
It may have been a slip of the tongue that they said Dot 5 but definitely worth confirming what they've used.
It may have been a slip of the tongue that they said Dot 5 but definitely worth confirming what they've used.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447
Likes: 55
From: Seattle area
THANK YOU EVERYONE....
My bike goes in on Tuesday, and their quote showed DOT 5.....
I found my owners manual, AND it shows DOT 4.
Glad all of you helped me get this correct.
I love this forum..
Cheers,
My bike goes in on Tuesday, and their quote showed DOT 5.....
I found my owners manual, AND it shows DOT 4.
Glad all of you helped me get this correct.
I love this forum..
Cheers,
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,097
Likes: 13,030
From: Texas, USA
So here's the question of the day which is purely hypothetical at this time.
Although the dealer's quote stated DOT 5 brake fluid, would they check the master cylinder cover or the specs for the OP's year and model bike and put in the correct fluid, DOT 4?
You can only hope so. It would be a rookie mistake if they put the wrong fluid in.
Although the dealer's quote stated DOT 5 brake fluid, would they check the master cylinder cover or the specs for the OP's year and model bike and put in the correct fluid, DOT 4?
You can only hope so. It would be a rookie mistake if they put the wrong fluid in.
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