MK6 GTI Brake Fluid

[Sir_GTI]

Guys, the time has come for the brake fluid to be replaced.

Any ideas on a good fluid to use?

Or stick with the OEM stuff?

Cheers

[Diesel_vert]

Guys, the time has come for the brake fluid to be replaced.

Any ideas on a good fluid to use?

Or stick with the OEM stuff?

Cheers

Most VAG models from 2006 onwards use a low viscosity brake fluid, in order for the electronic stability control systems to work optimally at low temperatures.

As such, the workshop manual says the brake fluid must conform to VW TL 776 Z and hence meet VW 501.14

You don't have to use the genuine fluid, but as we are not in Europe, alternatives are few and far between on the local market.

[Transporter]

I use only ATE SL6 ATE Brakes -Original ATE brake fluid

[Diesel_vert]

I use only ATE SL6 ATE Brakes -Original ATE brake fluid

Yep, ATE SL.6 is fine. Other options include Pentosin DOT 4 LV, Textar DOT 4 PRO, TRW DOT 4 ESP, etc.

Basically, any brake fluid that meets ISO 4925 Class 6 should be fine.

[Sir_GTI]

Thanks all for the replies.

Great info. I like the ATE SL.6.

Does anyone know where I can get the ATE SL.6 in Sydney?

I could not see a listing on the site of local vendors.

[team_v]

ATE or redline are meant to be better than OEM
Also Valvoline synpower fluid but i don't know if we have that in Aus.

[ongti]

Any one tried Endless brake fluid on their Mk6 GTI??

[richmurphy]

Does anyone know where to buy a vw501.14 compliant fluid? Id prefer ATE but can't find it anywhere.

[Umai Naa!!]

HSY will sell you ATE, and you should be able to get the Textar fluid from Imparts.

Be prepared to BS them about being a trade customer

[nat225]

Does anyone know where to buy a vw501.14 compliant fluid? Id prefer ATE but can't find it anywhere.

any DOT 4 fluid will do, but given that you have a nice BBK, I would at least use Penrite Racing RBF600 or Motul RBF600 fluid and change it every 6 months.

[richmurphy]

BBK...?

[team_v]

BBK...?

big brake kit

[nat225]

any DOT 4 fluid will do, but given that you have a nice BBK, I would at least use Penrite Racing RBF600 or Motul RBF600 fluid and change it every 6 months.

oops, sorry I mistakenly read ongti's signature as richmurphy's... any dot 4 is fine, penrite super dot 4 is prob better.

[richmurphy]

Got some ATE SL.6 from HSY today. Quite a bargain i thought at $12.50 for 1l. Thanks all for your assistance.

[thedriver]

So I've just ordered ATE SL.6 from HSY today for my Passat B7 V6 4Motion Highline as VW also specifies the need for VW Standard 501.14 brake fluid in my car. Ordering from HSY was very easy and they were very helpful. So thanks to HSY.
And thanks for the info

HSY will sell you ATE

Initially, it was somewhat of a challenge finding a suitable non OEM fluid. And at the end of the day I'm not sure it's actually going to make much of a difference. The boiling points of the VW OEM fluid are dry 265°C / wet 170°C. The ATE SL.6 is dry 265°C / wet 175°C.

In my search for information though I found these threads that others might also find interesting:
- Car and image Forum
- Jaguar Forums

It seems the primary difference with the VW standard is the need for a low kinematic viscosity at -40°C of <750 or <700 cST. This seems to be the ISO 4925 Class 6 standard. Many DOT 4 fluids only meet the ISO4295 standard or other classes. Although I haven't been able to find a reference to the standard to find out the specifics.

I'm not sure how much of a difference this will make in Australia. Perhaps if you live in the cooler regions where we get sub 0°C temps it might benefit your ABS system over a higher viscosity fluid. Considering we're talking about a system that can be responsible for saving our life though, I'm not sure I want to risk the use of a product that doesn't meet this spec.

So it seems some other brake fluids that meet this VW spec are (links to manufacturer info where possible):

• VW OEM brake fluid (from dealer, VW/Audi/Sloda Part#:B000750M3)
• Land Rover RRS D3 (from dealer?)
• ATE SL.6 (from HSY)
• Pentosin DOT 4 LV (from Liquid Intelligence or Phoenix Lubricants)
• Textar DOT 4 PRO (from Imparts)
• Ford Dot 4 LV High Performance WSS M6C65 (from dealer)
• Shell ESL Super Dot 4 (not available in Aus, can order from OS)
• Castrol React Dot4 Low Temp (not available in Aus, can order from OS)
• Comma Oil DOT 4 ESP (not available in Aus, can order from OS)
• Eurol DOT 4 LV (not available in Aus, can order from OS)
• Liqui Moly SL6 DOT 4 (not available in Aus, can order from OS)
• TRW DOT 4 ESP (not available in Aus, can order from OS)
• TRW 5.1 ESP (not available in Aus, can order from OS)

Note: Some info taken from subabrad - thanks!