PTE Brake Fluid Tester - calibrated for DOT 4 Brake fluids

With the help of my multimeter, I was able to determine that the voltage was 31 volt The battery check on the tester still showed a green OK light, but I discovered that if you don't have a fresh battery, it's reading 1. On brand new brake fluid, it gave high water readings at 5V or slightly higher. It reads now that I've replaced the battery. Both vehicles have never had their brake fluid changed. Both appeared to be in perfect working order. What gives me the confidence that these readings are correct? Only by having my brake fluid tested by a garage with a boiling point tester will I know. This is the most precise method for determining the amount of water in brake fluid. br>The main flaw with these conductivity testers is that they estimate the water content electronically by measuring the fluid's conductivity, which increases as water is absorbed in theory. The tester then converts this measurement to a supposed boiling point and indicates the result using an algorithm as a display of green , yellow , or red lights as% Unfortunately, because the conductivity of new brake fluids varies greatly from formulation to formulation within a DOT grade, depending on the additives used, this measurement principle is fatally flawed. This means that unless a conductivity tester is calibrated on a single manufacturer's product and then used exclusively for that product, the results are likely to be inaccurate. br>br>The brake fluid change schedules of different car manufacturers differ. For example, Chevrolet recommends changing brake fluid every 45,000 miles on most models, while Honda recommends changing it every three years regardless of mileage. Most Volkswagens have a three-year service interval, but Mercedes-Benz has a five-year service interval. Every two years or 20,000 miles, Mercedes-Benz vehicles require new fluid. On the other hand, there are no recommendations for replacing the brake fluid on the Ford Escape, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Camry, and other models from those manufacturers, only instructions to inspect it on a regular basis. br>br>As a result, Ford claims that I should never have to change the brake fluid in my Escape. Between the two, I'm in the middle. Yes, Dot 4 brake fluid is extremely hygroscopic, but systems are now much more tightly sealed. When I work on my brakes, I'm fine with just bleeding them thoroughly, but if you want to change your brake fluid every 2 years, that's fine too. 3 years or 30 years? After 40K miles, the decision is yours.

Bryant Green

| Jul 29, 2021

After comparing several different types of brake fluid testers on the market, I decided to buy this one. Test strips can cost as little as $10 and a professional test kit can cost upwards of $150. Because of the hygroscopic nature of DOT3, DOT4, and DOT5, I live in the Pensacola, Florida area, where high humidity has a significant impact on brake fluid life. 1 Bake the fluids (this is a DOT4 fluid tester, specifically). I used to change the fluid every 12 months or so. To counteract the negative effects of high humidity, it will take 18 months. Even with a positive pressure bleeder, this interval ensured the fluid was not water saturated, but the effort (especially on my Honda S2000) was time consuming and messy. This repetitive cycle based on an educated guess became too ambiguous, and the feeling of not knowing the actual condition of the fluid eventually prompted me to purchase a fluid tester, which would dictate the appropriate time to change fluid based on the actual condition of the fluid rather than a relatively arbitrary time interval based on an educated guess. br>br>I personally use ATE TYP200 fluid, which is the best DOT4 fluid on the market right now - for the widest possible range of applications ATE TYP200 lasted longer than any other fluid I've used over the years, and it covered a wide range of conditions, including light track use, extreme hot weather use, and cold winter conditions. I've used TYP200 in environments ranging from -40°F to +60°F. With temperatures ranging from 25 degrees Fahrenheit in Oklahoma to 129 degrees Fahrenheit in Bahrain, the results are consistent, reliable, and long-lasting. br>br>Even though I don't have professional brake fluid testing equipment, I decided to sample a variety of brake fluids ranging from new to neglected to see how well the tester could distinguish between samples. My S2000's fluid was the first fluid I took a sample of. This tester showed the fluid had approximately 1% water saturation, which is still reliably serviceable after 2018 months since the last brake fluid change in my S2000. I then tested unused fluid that had been stored in a pressurized container for 18 months and it tested at 0% saturation (as you would expect). I then tested my neighbor car, which hasn had the fluid changed in ever 3 years and showed 4% saturation. I then shamed him into having the system flushed with new fluid at the dealer. With these results, I was confident that the tester was measuring what the manufacturer claimed it should be measuring. br>br>In terms of determining when to change your brake fluid, I'd say the acceptable saturation level is determined by the type of car and the type of brakes the car is equipped with. Because the car is equipped with custom forged aluminum calipers, my threshold for my S2000 is 2% saturation - I also don't want to risk the brakes being damaged by internal corrosion. The 2% saturation limit also ensures that the brake fluid will continue to perform at the highest level in both street and track conditions. I believe 2% saturation is acceptable for continued use in my daily driver (and in any standard street car). A 2% saturation level provides not only a comfortable performance threshold, but also a good benchmark for a maintenance reminder. letting you know that your brake fluid will need to be changed in the next three months A six-month window is available. Even though this tester shows 3% in the 'caution' range), a saturation level of 3% is not acceptable for extended use , and the brake fluid will begin to show degraded performance% Although fluid discoloration is a useful indicator of fluid condition, water saturation can occur before the fluid turns dark. br>br>I believe this tester provides a simple, relatively accurate, and easily distinguishable measurement of the water saturation level in your car's brake fluid. This can give you peace of mind by indicating that your brake fluid is still serviceable, that you should start planning to service your brake fluid, or that you should flush the system to ensure reliable operation and longevity. I believe the tester is reasonably priced, but there are a few tweaks that would elevate it to a five-star rating. There are a few reasons why I only gave this tester a four-star rating. To begin with, the cheap four-LED 'display' dates from the 1980s and adds to the tester's shabby appearance and feel. A simple LCD display (like the one on the ZeroWater TDS meter) would present information much more accurately. Even if the LCD displayed information in a format of 0. The information would be twice as resolved as the meter currently shows if the increments were used. Second, this tester could have more than one "calibration" setting, as well as saturation levels for DOT3, 4, and 5. 1 fluids. With a simple press of a button, you can switch between calibration settings, which are displayed on the LCD display. Finally, this tester is made of low-quality materials, and the parts do not fit together well. As a result, opening the battery door (which required prying) has become extremely difficult. br>I believe it goes without saying that the majority of customers would be willing to pay $5-$10. For $10 more, you can get a better-built tester with all of the above features - It'd get a five-star rating as well.

Averie WALLIS

| Apr 21, 2021

Amazing product that has saved me a lot of time when it comes to maintaining my three vehicles at home. I tested a brand new bottle of brake fluid for water and it passed the test. After that, I tested a car that had a KNOWN fluid issue. came as 2% moisture as I expected it to be. Then I took a graduated cylinder and added 3% water to the brake fluid and let it sit for a week so it could dissolve properly in the fluid and let it% I tested it again and the fluid tester passed by giving it a 3% reading after it had been fully absorbed (actually took a week 1 day) in a sealed container it was% Both fluid changes were performed just 6 months ago and they passed at 1% moisture in my other two vehicles and they passed at 1% moisture in both vehicles and they When I tested 100% water, it obviously returned a 4% DANGER result. I'm pretty sure this works the way it's supposed to- I only hope it continues to do so over time or when the battery runs out. Later on, I'll write a new review.

Zeke Edwards

| Jun 28, 2021