brake fluid

[genpk]

Was doing an oil change on my 2014 gc and decided id check the quality of the brake fluid being i had bought a brake fluid tester.
The fluid looked a little dark, checked it and it came up as needing replacement.
As a temporary measure i extracted the old fluid in the master cylinder and replaced it with new dot 4 .
Brakes are working fine still.
Couple of questions- is Dot 4 fluid ok? and , when i get the system bled, can a local mechanic shop do it or does it need a dealer to do it.

[Fishframe]

Originally Posted by genpk

Was doing an oil change on my 2014 gc and decided id check the quality of the brake fluid being i had bought a brake fluid tester.
The fluid looked a little dark, checked it and it came up as needing replacement.
As a temporary measure i extracted the old fluid in the master cylinder and replaced it with new dot 4 .
Brakes are working fine still.
Couple of questions- is Dot 4 fluid ok? and , when i get the system bled, can a local mechanic shop do it or does it need a dealer to do it.

I use a specialist brake guy for my cars, he has a mobile business. No issue on current model Audi’s so I don’t think your GC will be an issue.

[TR Laredo]

Have a read of the brake fluid info on the lid of the brake master cylinder. My Jan 15 build Laredo says to use DOT 3 so I use that (amber colour)
I’ve used DOT 4 fluid in clutch hydraulic systems that recommended DOT 3 & found the seals would suffer from premature wear/leakage after approx 18 months.

Cheers

[layback40]

IIRC Dot4 fluid has a higher max opperating temperature but this was a trade off as lubrisity ia not as good, hence TR's comment about seals. If you drive in a manner that results in extream brake useage maybe you should consider Dot4. The fluids are able to be mixed.

[drover]

If you haven't bled brakes before especially with ABS systems then go to a brake shop, if you stuff it up and get air in the ABS you have some problems....... With Brakes like Tranny's first stop is a specialists shop, then it would be my mechanic, dealer doesn't even make the list...