Brake Fluid shelf life

[chrisbruck]

I need to flush my brakes fairly soon and found an unopened can of ATE Super Blue on my garage shelf. Guessing it's 5-10 years old. Is it still good to use or does is separate or break down over time? Never opened so not worried about moisture contamination.

Thoughts???

[GH85Carrera]

There are millions of 10 to 30 year old cars on the road with the factory fill of brake fluid in them. If your can is factory sealed, used it.

I change my brake fluid every single spring.

[thetorch]

Probably fine. But considering that a liter of ATE Typ 200 is less than 20 bucks, you have to ask yourself...do you feel lucky?

[Locker537]

I wouldn't, even if it is fine.

[MBAtarga]

I'd use it in a heartbeat.

[sugarwood]

hygroscopic !! hygroscopic !! hygroscopic !! Blah blah blah.

I bought a new bottle of ATE in 2017 for a 911 track day.
Used the same opened bottle again in 2018 for a 911 track day.
Used that same opened bottle for 2 commuter cars in 2019.
No problems. There's still some left. I'll use it as cooking oil.

As Glen said, there are cars on the road with 20 year old brake fluid with zero issues.
I would love for you to use the 10 year old bottle, carefully drive around the block, and possibly bust some internet myths.

[proporsche]

no brainer --use it...i just did in january ..it`s 12 years old and i`m still around driving it;-)

Ivan

[sus911]

For what it's worth I have an opened one that is at least 10 years old.
Now I don't put it in any of my cars or motorcycles but I recently used it to solve a brake fade issue on my disc brake mountain bike which had the original fluid in there from new, 2008...

[Noah930]

Unopened can: I would be willing to use it.

[smadsen]

Blue brake fluid. How retro! Use it. Amaze the Cars & Coffee guys.

But don't confuse it with window washer fluid.

[HarryD]

Put it on flea bay or bringatrailer.com. Set a $1000 reserve.

[stownsen914]

I had the exact same experience, and used it on the racecar. I’d have to be convinced that a vacuum sealed container could somehow allow moisture to get in.

[chrisbruck]

Decision made... I'm gonna use it !!!

[Tremelune]

Originally Posted by HarryD

Put it on flea bay or bringatrailer.com. Set a $1000 reserve.

You kid, but I would for sure pay triple for some friggin' blue brake fluid...

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by tremelune

you kid, but i would for sure pay triple for some friggin' blue brake fluid...

:d:d:d:d

[safe]

Racing Blue, that's vintage!
Personally I would save it unopened and get some new Typ 200 for the car.

[aj88cab]

Originally Posted by safe

Racing Blue, that's vintage!
Personally I would save it unopened and get some new Typ 200 for the car.

^^^This is my thought also.

Now, I'm not advocating that a can of brake fluid should be part of your retirement portfolio, but they are selling for $75 on FleeBay...and empty cans for $14

[RSTarga]

People will collect anything. I have a few cans myself, I even have a few cans of Castrol R! That stuff smells glorious, reminds me of going to F1 races in the 60's.
I used it in My Elsinore 2cycle dirt bike.

[stownsen914]

Originally Posted by aj88cab

Now, I'm not advocating that a can of brake fluid should be part of your retirement portfolio, but they are selling for $75 on FleeBay...and empty cans for $14

You made me look! I can't quite believe it, but it's true - an empty can of Super Blue for $14 ...

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by aj88cab

^^^This is my thought also.

Now, I'm not advocating that a can of brake fluid should be part of your retirement portfolio, but they are selling for $75 on FleeBay...and empty cans for $14

The early gray rectangular cans or the later square blue cans?