Castrol GTLMA

[David T]

Castrol recently changed the packaging and labeling on their GTLMA brake fluid. It is now in a black plastic bottle and they call it synthetic. I am told it is the same product, just different packaging and labeling. We will see if that is true. I just put the stuff into my car. It does look and smell and feel the same as the old fluid.
David Teitelbaum

[Chris 16409]

David, I had some in the previous bottles and it said "synthetic" too. Where did find the fluid, I'm having a hard time finding it.

[jawn101]

I also had some of the old style bottles that said "new formula" and "synthetic" on them... but my local source no longer has any, so I'm also curious where we are supposed to go in the future.

Edit: Also, do you have any pictures of the new packaging so we know what to look for?

[Chris 16409]

I also had some of the old style bottles that said "new formula" and "synthetic" on them... but my local source no longer has any, so I'm also curious where we are supposed to go in the future.

Hey Jon, I was getting mine at OSH, but they no longer have it in stock. I think I mentioned before about OSH stocking it. However, OSH is cutting back on their auto department, so they've decided to axe a few things apparently.

[jawn101]

Hey Jon, I was getting mine at OSH, but they no longer have it in stock. I think I mentioned before about OSH stocking it. However, OSH is cutting back on their auto department, so they've decided to axe a few things apparently.

Yep, me too. I think I bought their last bottle for David Proehl's brake job a month or so ago. I still have a sealed quart in my closet but that's not enough for a full job.

[Michael]

Who said it was the same, a Castrol rep. or the kid behind the counter?

[Morpheus]

The Castrol Synthetic DOT3/4 fluid is great. I have used it in all of my cars (including my D) for years with no problems.

I don't think it's so much the brand (Castrol GTLMA) that matters most with the brake fluid we use, it's that you religiously change it out every 2 years to avoid issues.

[David T]

The "old guy" behind the counter said the rep told them it's the same stuff. I buy at a local chain store called Meile but any shop that sells Castrol products either has it or can get it. Keeping stuff on the shelf is not a long term answer since it has a shelf life so you need to always buy fresh. Even a sealed container will eventually go bad. I try to keep a minimum around and buy more when I do a flush. Otherwise in 2 years when I flush I will be putting in 2 year old fluid and taking out 2 year old fluid, doesn't make sense to me! It used to be sold in a white bottle and now it is black. I would prefer if they also had different color fluids so it is easier to tell when you have completely flushed the old stuff out. I agree, it is probably more important to flush regularly than which brand, as long as it is a good, premium brand. Castrol is one of the best, Brembo uses it as an OEM fill and they are among one of the largest brake manufacturers in Europe.
David Teitelbaum

[pezzonovante88]

I've also heard from several sources that it's the same product.

[DMC5180]

Castrol GT LMA Now known as Castrol Brake Fluid DOT 4 (packaging change only).

I just pulled the MSDS/PDS on these they are IDENTICAL products.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9045405&contentId=7081185

Both are Low Moisture Activity aka (LMA)

[jawn101]

Castrol GT LMA Now known as Castrol Brake Fluid DOT 4 (packaging change only).

I just pulled the MSDS/PDS on these they are IDENTICAL products.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9045405&contentId=7081185

Both are Low Moisture Activity aka (LMA)

Thanks for the info Dennis. Good to know what the bottle looks like - but I'm sure it will still be just as hard to find. :mad:

[DavidProehl]

As if this wasn't hard enough to find, now they confuse matters by changing the name. Thanks for sharing this, would have never known otherwise!

[John U]

So does this mean that other synthetic DOT 4 fluids are acceptable as well?

[David T]

So does this mean that other synthetic DOT 4 fluids are acceptable as well?

Actually DOT 4 fluids are not synthetic. At least it is not a requirement although they may be partially synthetic. I think they are using the term synthetic mainly for marketing purposes, people seem to think anything labeled as synthetic is better. Castrol is still a top brand but I am not sure if you MUST use it. It would seem to me any good brand of DOT 4 should be OK. One thing you should try to do is not to mix different brands. If you do pick one you should try to stay with it.
David Teitelbaum

[John U]

This has got to be one of the most confusing subjects that I have researched on the interweb.
What makes brake fluid synthetic? I thought they were all synthetic because they are not oil based, they are glycol based. Is "synthetic" a cheap marketing ploy, because as you say David, if it says "synthetic", people will think it is better?

John

[Rich]

Confusing? Yes.

Our British car-expert friends over at Moss Motors put together a reasonable tech piece on the subject of brake fluid:

http://www.mossmotors.com/SiteGraphics/Pages/brake_fluid/page1.html

The tech article covers the Castrol story, at least up to the time Castrol took the GTLMA name off, several of the points already mentioned in this thread and more.

Here are just a few of the things they say about today's brake fluid options:

Brake fluids are all synthetic chemicals and are not petroleum based. The DOT class system sets standards and testing procedures only; the ingredients used are up to the manufacturer. If it meets the standards, it will qualify as “brake fluid.” Based on a combination of the properties determined by testing, glycol based brake fluids are labeled DOT 3, 4, or 5.1......

Moss Tech Services gets calls every week from people who have questions about brake fluid. Some are concerned because the old familiar brands have changed. Castrol LMA now says “Synthetic” on the bottle. The Lockheed “Premium” fluid has been replaced by “Super DOT 4"......

[pezzonovante88]

How much brake fluid is needed? How many little 1qt bottles will I need to perform a fluid flush?

[Bitsyncmaster]

How much brake fluid is needed? How many little 1qt bottles will I need to perform a fluid flush? ! qt. should be plenty to flush your system. I usually flush about 6 oz. in each brake.

[pezzonovante88]

! qt. should be plenty to flush your system. I usually flush about 6 oz. in each brake.

Okay, thanks.

[David T]

Okay, thanks.

If you are only doing the brakes 1 quart is enough. If you are also doing the clutch you will need at least another pint, depends on how much you have left over from doing the brakes because you will need almost 2 pints for the clutch. When doing the flush first remove as much as you can from the reservoir so you don't push all of the old fluid (and dirt) through the system. Suck it out and then refill with fresh and then do one wheel at a time, refilling the reservoir each time before doing the next wheel. Repeat at least once. The order you do it is not all that important. What IS important is to never let the reservoir get low enough to suck air or you will have to start all over again.