Brake Fluid

[Slguy]

New to SL and forum.
 What type or grade of brake fluid should I use in my 1971 to 80 SL?
Randy

[Slguy]

280sl.
I hate it when that happens.

[Benz Dr.]

I use DOT 3 or 4. Most people advise against using DOT 5 ( silicone ) but I think it would work well in the clutch hydraulics which is a separate system on most of our cars.

[Slguy]

Thanks for the reply.

[Mike Hughes]

There is a little icon on any message that you post to the forum that lets you re-open your message and edit it for spelling, etc. 

The icon looks like a little sheet of paper with a horizontal yellow pencil coming in from the right and is located way over on the lower right hand side of your post.

(You will see that I edited this message in order to insert an accurate description of the icon.)

[ja17]

Many brands are now labeled "synthetic fluid", and are different from the silicone fluids (dot5).  Valvoline synthetic is Dot 3 & 4. and is very inexpensive and available almost anywhere. It seems to be less destructive to painted surfaces. Mercedes Factory, as usual, recommends that you use the Mercedes brake fluid from the dealer. The boiling point of brake fluid, becomes lower with age as it absorbs water. Water in your brake fluid will corrode the brake system on the inside. Water in your brake system can boil under hard braking and cause brake failure.  Change every two years for best results.