Does Brake Fluid have an Expiration Date?

Did a search and didn't come up with anything conclusive.

I have a sealed 1 liter container of ATE Super Blue DOT 4 brake fluid manufactured in 09/07. It's left over from my brake kit from www.turnermotorsports.com (*) when I did all four corners a while ago.

Since I am due for a brake fluid flush at the end of the month, I was wondering if it was ok to use this fluid, or should I go ahead and order new?




* PS the kit was fine, and the Axis pads are wearing great with very minimal brake dust over the OEM Pagid pads.

I would think, as long as it is sealed you would have no problems...As you know, brake fluid is hydroscopic and therein lies the problem with a container that has been open for years or months...

Just my two cents...

Yup, I'm with Buck. Factory sealed, still good.

I would use it....Hell, it`s good for two years *once it`s in the system*....

i would think if it had an expiration period that it would be labeled on the bottle.

Originally Posted by Bucknekkid

... brake fluid is hydroscopic ...

Sorry, gotta do it- the word is hyGroscopic. Don't feel bad- it's a common error.

I don't feel bad at all... I've used the terminology for 20 years in my profession and I've always struggled with the d in place of the g...I also know what hydroscopic means too !...

So after reading through the entire post, you only have a grammatical correction and no input on using the brake fluid or not ?...

Like others have said, if the seal hasn't been broken, the fluid will be good for many years.

even opened, as long as you keep it in the same metal container with the cap on, it's fine to use.

doesn't expire.

Originally Posted by dakarm

even opened, as long as you keep it in the same metal container with the cap on, it's fine to use.

+1
Even a plastic container should be OK.

Oils, gas have no expiration date. As long as the bottle was closed you can use it. If it was open for a while then dust went in it and it will damage the brake system. Anything with an expiration is written on the container.

Originally Posted by stox111us

Oils, gas have no expiration date. As long as the bottle was closed you can use it. If it was opened for a while then dust went in it and it will damage the brake system. Anything with an expiration is written on the container.

Well, gas used to have no real expiration, before they filled it up with 10% or more corn. Now it's garbage after 3 months, and borderline corrosive, even if it's sitting in a closed container.

Thanks guys, just checking. I was thinking it was ok, just making sure.