Brake fluid
 

Today I opened my engine bay and realized that my brake fluid is on the minimum line. (Yes i know my brakes need to be changed but I can’t do them till summer and my brake pads have a lot of life in them left) I went to Subaru to get a bottle of dot3 brake fluid and apparently, they do not have it in stock, At all. The only thing they had was motul 5.1. I looked online for the bottle and shipping is double the price of what the bottle would cost. The guy said that he can order it from Japan but that will take a while. He also told me that, I can use any dot 3 brake fluid. I want to confirm that this is the case before I top it up. So is it true that any dot3 brake fluid will work fine to top off my existing fluid ?


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I am confused!

Why don’t you use this.


Subaru SOA868V9220 Brake Fluid - 12 fl.oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I797FQS..._gziiEbYGGWYZJ

Am I missing something ?


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That exact code is what I showed the parts guy at Subaru and its not available anywhere in my province.

Also that link is American amazon. Canadian one doesn’t have the item available.


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At minimum line means you have enough fluid.
Below min line: go to any auto parts store, get smallest bottle of name-brand DOT3 (or DOT4), top off fluid.

I buy from Amazon UK all the time, why can't you buy from Amazon US? Stupid US laws?

Weird that the dealer wouldn't have the basic brake fluid.

As stated, you have enough fluid, but maybe do a quick check that you don't have a leak. The system should not lose fluid, but the level in the reservoir should only go down slightly as the pads wear down.
The issue with the brake system is if any air enters the lines, which cannot happen if there is any fluid showing in the reservoir.

Any DOT3 or DOT4 fluid will work. Any auto parts store, or even WalMart will have plenty in stock.

Also, the fluid that the dealer did have in stock will work as well, but it's just more expensive than you need

Yes, you can use the glycol based fluids. DOT 3, 4 and 5.1 interchangeably. Higher spec. has higher boiling point.
Do not use DOT 5. That is silicone based.
I switched mine over to Motul 5.1 this summer when I flushed the fluid.