Can anyone tell me if its ok to mix the old style DOT 4 with the new Harley Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid while flushing? I picked up two bottles today to bleed my own brakes as Ive been doing and to change to the new recommended fluid.

 

Anyone? Im going to change it today

 

If you have a dealer near by, you could ask a Harley teck there. Let us know. Maybe one of them will respond here.

 

They don't offer up much. Say they need to do bleed and in fact, the dealer I bought the new fluid from didnt know it was different formulation. In dealers defense this was just one of many people running around trying to sell parts and pieces during the slower winter months. I dont like my bike touched by dealers or anyone else for that matter.

 

What makes the "new" dot 4 different from the old dot 4? Probably just marketing....

 

Not sure other than boiling point. I guess its suppose to be more resistant to water absorption in short periods of time?

 

I use Dot 3/Dot4 synthetic by Valvoline...Actually just rebuilt my master cylinder yesterday and filled it up with that again ...

 

I use the Dot3/4 synthetic by Valvoline too ... never failed me. But to answer your question, yes you can mix the two Dot4's.

I would ensure I did a thorough flush by first pushing the caliper pistons out SLIGHTLY with the brake pads removed. Clean the exposed area of the pistons and grease with brake grease before pushing them back flush with the caliper surface. Then do your flush, reinstall pads and caliper, push the pistons back out to ensure the pads are putting pressure on the rotors, give your final height adjustment to your master cylinder. Don't overfill your master cylinder or you risk hydra locking your system.

 

Read the label. But I would thing they would call it something else besides DOT4 if it was different.

 

I just bought new fluid prior to the recall, oh well. I’ve got the twin scan abs tool coming so I’m going to do the whole abs pulse/flush. I’ll do the new improved fluid next time.