Quantcast

Avid Codes DOT 5.1; is DOT 5 automotive fluid ok?

Nov 29, 2005
83
0
South Boston kid guy
Hopefully this is a pretty basic question someone might know. My LBS doesnt have any avid 5.1 brake fluid; I need to bleed and ride tomorrow hoping to grab some fluid at auto zone. They only had DOT 5 when I checked and had never heard of DOT 5.1.

Does avid add in any type of additive? Anyone used DOT 5 before? Not trying to mess up my codes but if it works let me know.

Thanks
 

north20

Chimp
Nov 5, 2007
85
0
East Cascades - PNW
no auto store ever seems to have ever heard of 5.1.

5 is NOT compatible with 5.1. DOT 4 is compatible with 5.1 though.

^^ This.

Also, check out your local or online moto dealers, they are much more familiar with 5.1. The Avid, 'random-bike/brake-manufacturer here', etc., 5.1 fluids sold in bike shops is just rebranded and packaged Motul and Maxima fluids for example ... stuff that you could buy at the moto dealer for much less.

That goes for suspension oils as well :thumb:
 

oldfart

Turbo Monkey
Jul 5, 2001
1,206
24
North Van
IIRC DOT 5.0 is fully synthetic and as the others have said not compatible in the least with the other fluids. Dot 4 and DOT 5.1 are compatible though. 5.1 has a higher boiling point which will make fade less likely, but it will absorb moisture more quickly and will need to be bled more often.