ZL1 1LE and Brake Fluid

Checkmate1 · 03-19-2019, 09:22 AM

All,

Considering the 'track biased' nature of the ZLE...does it come with DOT4 Brake Fluid from the factory?

Just wondering because I don't want to buy a DOT4 fluid and swap if unnecessary.

Ryephile · 03-19-2019, 09:42 AM

Think about this. It's built in Lansing along with the rest of the Camaro line, Cadillac ATS and CTS, all of which are street cars. Whatever bulk barrel of brake fluid that's from the lowest bidder that happens to meet DOT 3 is what's going in the factory fill. It also says in the Owners Manual and the brake fluid cap that OEM is DOT-3.

Make no mistake, the ZL1 1LE is a street car first and foremost. Any pretense about trackability comes down to you doing a competent preparation per the Performance Supplement and Track Preparation guide, the latter which explicitly states they recommend changing the brake fluid to DOT-4. Your job as an entrant to a track day is to follow the car prep rules laid out in the club's vehicle inspection guide. Every single club worth their insurance policy includes verbiage for a fresh brake fluid flush.

UrbanKnight · 03-19-2019, 09:59 AM

Stock fluid is garbage for track use. GM even says so in their track supplement. Buy Castrol SRF, change once a year. Your car will thank you.

ZZebes · 03-19-2019, 10:42 AM

Get the stock fluid out of the car before you even consider tracking the car, I "flushed" mine and obviously didn't get all of it since I boiled mine at COTA this last weekend and it very nearly ended up being a really bad situation. One of the worst feelings I've ever had was a foot full of floorboard going into 12...

Checkmate1 · 03-19-2019, 10:59 AM

How many Liters of SRF do you reckon will be required for a brake fluid flush?

UrbanKnight · 03-19-2019, 11:20 AM

Just 1

SFV1LE · 03-19-2019, 12:49 PM

I prefer Motul RBF 660. A little pricey but great stuff.

Dont use just any DOT 4, many lower priced DOT 4 will boil almost as fast, maybe faster, than stock fuid. e.g. regular Castrol DOT 4 is inadequate, get the Castrol SRF for sure.

detltu · 03-19-2019, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Checkmate1

All,

Considering the 'track biased' nature of the ZLE...does it come with DOT4 Brake Fluid from the factory?

Just wondering because I don't want to buy a DOT4 fluid and swap if unnecessary.

As everyone says, Dot 3 from the factory. The main issue is DOT4 absorbs water at a higher rate and therefore doesn't last as long/ needs to be changed more frequently.

Still seems like they could go ahead and put DOT4 in the track focused cars and just change the recommended maintenance to match, but I suppose they don't want the confusion for the average dealer who may never see one.

Checkmate1 · 03-19-2019, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detltu

As everyone says, Dot 3 from the factory. The main issue is DOT4 absorbs water at a higher rate and therefore doesn't last as long/ needs to be changed more frequently.

Still seems like they could go ahead and put DOT4 in the track focused cars and just change the recommended maintenance to match, but I suppose they don't want the confusion for the average dealer who may never see one.

What's interesting is the GT350s and +2019 Corvette C7 GS/Z06 come loaded with DOT4 from the factory!

UrbanKnight · 03-19-2019, 01:47 PM

But it’s still not good enough for track use

Srf is the right answer

DANACO · 03-19-2019, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Checkmate1

What's interesting is the GT350s and +2019 Corvette C7 GS/Z06 come loaded with DOT4 from the factory!

I’d be curious to see what they recommend for change intervals.

Ryephile · 03-19-2019, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Checkmate1

What's interesting is the GT350s and +2019 Corvette C7 GS/Z06 come loaded with DOT4 from the factory!

So does the Hyundai Veloster N. Point still stands that if you're attending track days, a brake fluid flush is part of your prep. What came from the factory is just a placeholder until you prep the car.

PROMETHEUS · 03-19-2019, 03:14 PM

Castrol SRF...….I change mine in the Spring, before track season and it lasts entire year, without a problem. Little expensive, but it has one of the highest wet/dry points.

Stealth7 · 03-19-2019, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PROMETHEUS

Castrol SRF...….I change mine in the Spring, before track season and it lasts entire year, without a problem. Little expensive, but it has one of the highest wet/dry points.

This! Others need changing but Castrol SRF seems to last a good period (1 year for me at least).

03-19-2019, 09:22 AM	#1
Checkmate1 Drives: Garnet Red / ZL1 1LE Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Bel Air, MD Posts: 492	ZL1 1LE and Brake Fluid All, Considering the 'track biased' nature of the ZLE...does it come with DOT4 Brake Fluid from the factory? Just wondering because I don't want to buy a DOT4 fluid and swap if unnecessary.

03-19-2019, 09:42 AM	#2
Ryephile Hot Dog Drives: '17 1SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,937	Think about this. It's built in Lansing along with the rest of the Camaro line, Cadillac ATS and CTS, all of which are street cars. Whatever bulk barrel of brake fluid that's from the lowest bidder that happens to meet DOT 3 is what's going in the factory fill. It also says in the Owners Manual and the brake fluid cap that OEM is DOT-3. Make no mistake, the ZL1 1LE is a street car first and foremost. Any pretense about trackability comes down to you doing a competent preparation per the Performance Supplement and Track Preparation guide, the latter which explicitly states they recommend changing the brake fluid to DOT-4. Your job as an entrant to a track day is to follow the car prep rules laid out in the club's vehicle inspection guide. Every single club worth their insurance policy includes verbiage for a fresh brake fluid flush. __________________ 2017 "M1SS1LE" in Hyper Blue w/PDR

03-19-2019, 10:42 AM	#4
ZZebes Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 20	Get the stock fluid out of the car before you even consider tracking the car, I "flushed" mine and obviously didn't get all of it since I boiled mine at COTA this last weekend and it very nearly ended up being a really bad situation. One of the worst feelings I've ever had was a foot full of floorboard going into 12... __________________ 2018 ZL1 1LE

03-19-2019, 09:59 AM	#3
UrbanKnight Drives: Fastish Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 228	Stock fluid is garbage for track use. GM even says so in their track supplement. Buy Castrol SRF, change once a year. Your car will thank you.

03-19-2019, 10:59 AM	#5
Checkmate1 Drives: Garnet Red / ZL1 1LE Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Bel Air, MD Posts: 492	How many Liters of SRF do you reckon will be required for a brake fluid flush?

03-19-2019, 11:20 AM	#6
UrbanKnight Drives: Fastish Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 228	Just 1

03-19-2019, 12:49 PM	#7
SFV1LE Drives: 2018 Hyper Blue ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: CA Posts: 1,360	I prefer Motul RBF 660. A little pricey but great stuff. Dont use just any DOT 4, many lower priced DOT 4 will boil almost as fast, maybe faster, than stock fuid. e.g. regular Castrol DOT 4 is inadequate, get the Castrol SRF for sure.

03-19-2019, 01:47 PM	#10
UrbanKnight Drives: Fastish Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 228	But it’s still not good enough for track use Srf is the right answer

03-19-2019, 03:14 PM	#13
PROMETHEUS Drives: 2019 ZL-1, Shadow Gray, Sold Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,390	Castrol SRF...….I change mine in the Spring, before track season and it lasts entire year, without a problem. Little expensive, but it has one of the highest wet/dry points.

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