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New Technology
Was Necessary! Strip Dip Tutorial Brake Fluid Testing and Flushing Contents:
Strip Dip™
What Factors Affect Brake Fluid Condition?
Note: If the corrosion inhibitors are in good condition, even high amounts of moisture (5%) will not cause corrosion. Most people believe that it is moisture that causes the corrosion. It is the lack of corrosion inhibitors that allow corrosion in the system. A very small amount (1%) of moisture can increase corrosion when the inhibitor package has been depleted.
What Happens To Brake Fluid Over Time ?
What Causes Depletion of Corrosion Inhibitors?
What Happens When Corrosion inhibitors in Brake Fluid are Significantly Depleted?
Note 1: This is very important-Corrosion inhibitors are designed to treat and protect the surfaces they are in contact with. So, as corrosion inhibitors are depleted the surfaces may still have some protection. There is a significant problem when a new hydraulic part is installed, a caliper for example. The other hydraulic parts have some protection from their exposure to the corrosion inhibitors in brake fluid, but the new caliper is unprotected. Since the corrosion inhibitors are now depleted the new part has no corrosion protection and can corrode very quickly. A thorough brake system flush is recommended to protect the new parts. Note 2: Corrosion in the brake system has been seen in vehicles after several years of operation where the brake fluid passed the J1703 standard. Some feel that J1703 cannot predict the affects of the long-term durability of the corrosion inhibitors in brake fluid.
Vehicle Manufacturer's Position on Flushing Brake Fluid
ASE and Brake Fluid Flushing Advertising Supplement taken from USA Today April 17,2002 Protect Your Auto Investment....... Probably the most ignored fluid in your car, and the most important, is brake fluid. Sludge will build up over a period of time and may block the valves inside the anti-lock brake (ABS) units and result in costly repairs or replacement. IN addition, this sludge may cause the calipers and wheel cylinders to leak, also resulting in repairs or replacement. SO the best thing you can do is to have the brake fluid flushed and refilled periodically, although the manufacturer recommendations vary as to how often.
US Department of Transportation Position DOT Report Participants
Testing Performed By:
Information taken from the Technical Information Services Library Note: The NIST study shows that internal corrosion does take place in the brake system over time. A prudent recommended practice to combat this situation would be to periodically exchange the brake fluid by completely bleeding the brake system and replacing the old fluid with fresh fluid that meets current OE (Original Equipment) specifications."
The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) The BAR's concern is what is in the best interest of the vehicle owner. They don't have a problem with suggesting a brake fluid flush, but do have a problem if the flush is not performed or performed improperly.
Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) IMPORTANT CHANGE to brake Uniform Inspection Guidelines (UIG) re: Brake Fluid: The 1996 version of the MAP UIG's stated: " It is suggested that the [brake] system should be flushed and refilled with brake fluid when performing hydraulic brake service". IMPORTANT NOTE: This statement WAS DELETED in the 1999 UIG's and remained deleted in the 2000 and 2002 UIG's Brake System versions. Therefore please be advised that MAP no longer suggests a flush and refill while performing routine brake service. NEW 2002 UIG's Reasons to suggest brake fluid flush:
What do the MAP Guidelines Mean? Reasons to Suggest a Brake Fluid Flush
What does the Brake Industry Say about Strip Dip? Dave Abbot, Wagner Brakes: "Pleased with the lab tests. Shelf life is three years and humidity won't contaminate the strips". Wally Marciniac, Raybestos: "It measures particulates of contamination vs. moisture. It is a better factor of worn brake fluid than measuring the boiling point, which determines possible braking failure, not breakdown of system parts. Lab test prove the validity of the test strips".
TEST Don't Guess
Prior to the development of FASCAR™ technology, brake fluid testing was based on measuring the moisture content that had accumulated in the fluid. This was done in a variety of ways: 1. Direct boiling point analysis (DBPA), 2. Conductivity meters, 3. Moisture indicating color strips and then finally 4. Optical refractometer meters. We even offered our own tester which used DBPA and that's when we learned first hand the limitations of the moisture measurement technology. In actuality, moisture level in the brake fluid only offers a limited physical picture of the fluid's overall condition, it's life expectancy. Another limitation is they only work on DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid. The new FASCAR™ technology is not a moisture or PH test, although brake fluid with a high FASCAR™ rating often has a lowered boiling point because of captured moisture.
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FASCAR |
Rating Proves 86% Of Brake Systems Require Flush
Approximately Each 24 Mo/24k Miles|
FAILED "Boiling Point" |
1 OUT OF 18 |
FAILED "FASCAR" |
14 OUT OF 18 |
| Vehicle Description | Miles (K) | Months | Boiling Point (F) | FASCAR |
| 96 Ford Contour | 29 | 36 | 398 | 86 |
| 98 GM Safari | 11 | 12 | 387 | 92 |
| 88 Chev P/U | 7** | 8 | 402 | 50 |
| 91 Chev S-10 | 30 | 36 | 349 | 100 |
| 92 T-Bird flush | 22 | 25 | 380 | 86 |
| 91 Ford Escort | 100* | 72 | 360 | 78 |
| 93 Jeep Cherokee | 25 | 21 | 360 | 78 |
| 97 Mazda | 5 | 6 | 407 | 38 |
| 80 Buick | 100* | 120 | 250 | 100 |
| 81 Buick | 100* | 112 | 285 | 100 |
| 82 Buick | 100* | 100 | 300 | 91 |
| 96 Dodge Van | 18 | 24 | 392 | 50 |
| 86 Chrysler LaBaron | -- | 40 | 348 | 88 |
| 86 GMC Jimmy | 100* | 80 | 326 | 98 |
| 94 Chevy Z71 | 25 | 24 | 391 | 82 |
| 84 Nissan | 1** | 3 | 393 | 15 |
| 64 Dodge | 100* | 72 | 348 | 92 |
| 88 Crown Vic | 100* | 90 | 348 | 100 |
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Simple visual test strip for brake fluid |
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Utilizes new FASCARtm Technology |
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Color reaction determines contamination level |
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Pre-corrosion detection |
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Easy to read and repeatable |
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Inexpensive and quick |
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Color reaction proves brake system requires flush approx. each 24 mo/24k miles |
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Make brake fluid flush standard preventative maintenance service |
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Works with DOT 3, 4, 5 and 5.1 brake fluid |
