The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

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Originally Posted by az3579

I've probably flushed my system more times throughout the nearly 5 years of ownership than a lot of the cars here put together (with the exception of those who do track). I've always used either ATE Super Blue (when it was still "legal") or ATE Type 200. Zero problems on the street. Zero problems on the track. Zero problems in the winter and extreme cold. 221k miles. Zero DSC and ABS malfunctions. Never heard of problems from others using the same fluids. Personally I feel this is just nitpicking at this point. There are zero repercussions to be had from using regular DOT4 based on the lack of evidence to suggest otherwise.

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I wasn't trying to imply that using DOT4 would cause DSC or ABS malfunctions, just that these systems might not be as effective as they should be.

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Originally Posted by wsmeyer

I wasn't trying to imply that using DOT4 would cause DSC or ABS malfunctions, just that these systems might not be as effective as they should be.

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I guess we'll just agree to disagree on this one.
It would be nice to see data on this topic since "experiences" don't show a difference. I doubt anyone has ever conducted a study in this though.

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Originally Posted by az3579

I guess we'll just agree to disagree on this one.
It would be nice to see data on this topic since "experiences" don't show a difference. I doubt anyone has ever conducted a study in this though.

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Most experiences aren't particularly in depth. Most people just find the brakes still work and ABS kicks on, and assume it's fine (not saying that's the extent of your experience specifically).

I personally found ice braking to be less effective when I was running superblue. I haven't really tested DSC (and am not be sure how to do so objectively)

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Originally Posted by terraphantm

I personally found ice braking to be less effective when I was running superblue. I haven't really tested DSC (and am not be sure how to do so objectively)

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To be fair, braking on ice (or any surface for that matter) is affected by a number of things. The tires you run (the amount on tread and type of tread on winter tires plays a BIG part of grip in snowy conditions), the brake pads you use (grabbiness affects how the driver applies the brakes), and the amount of driver skill even plays into braking effectiveness.

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Originally Posted by az3579

I guess we'll just agree to disagree on this one.

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I didn't know we were disagreeing. There's a good chance it doesn't make any difference and the fact that they spec it for cars doesn't have anything to do with the DSC ABS system. All we can do is speculate, but ultimately it comes down to:

Potential negative effect on ABS / DSC system <vs> benefits of higher boiling point fluids / convenience of purchasing regular DOT4

Most people agree that for a car that never sees track time the benefits of "racing" fluids or just ones with higher boiling point is dubious at best so FOR ME this was an easy choice and I just oreder Pentosin DOT4LV from Amazon.

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Originally Posted by az3579

To be fair, braking on ice (or any surface for that matter) is affected by a number of things. The tires you run (the amount on tread and type of tread on winter tires plays a BIG part of grip in snowy conditions), the brake pads you use (grabbiness affects how the driver applies the brakes), and the amount of driver skill even plays into braking effectiveness.

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I am aware. At least in my case, all of those factors remained constant, except for the brake fluid

Any idea what this is? I unscrewed the cap. Looks like a slightly larger tire air valve.

Attachment 19757

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Originally Posted by stephenkirsh

Any idea what this is? I unscrewed the cap. Looks like a slightly larger tire air valve.

Attachment 19757

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Should be for recharging the AC system.

Yup, low pressure AC valve I believe. It's what I used to charge my AC system a few weeks ago.

Oh spiffy.

Is that simple to do?