Braking News: ATE Super Blue Deemed Illegal for US Distribution
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7,242
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From: Wherever she takes me.
Braking News: ATE Super Blue Deemed Illegal for US Distribution
Braking News: ATE Super Blue Deemed Illegal for US Distribution
Last night, we heard through the grapevine that Alfred Teves Enginieering (ATE, a division of Continental) would be discontinuing the sales and distribution of the popular “Super Blue” variant of its DOT 4 brake fluid. Apparently the Super Blue fluid has run afoul of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard after nearly 15 years on the market for being blue. For the correspondence Continental sent to their distributors, and more of the story, click through the break.
It seems that the federal government has taken 15 years to figure out that Super Blue fluid is, in fact, blue in color. Evidently there is a stipulation that all brake fluids distributed in the US must be either clear or amber in color. This begs the question, why is that a law? The blue color was one of the major selling points of Super Blue fluid, as it made a complete bleed of your braking system much easier to accomplish. I would use ATE Super Blue and ATE Typ 200 fluids alternately (Typ 200 is the amber version of Super Blue), filling the master cylinder with one color, and when the color coming out through the caliper changed, it was easy to tell that all of the old fluid had been expunged from the system.
As this is effective immediately, the supply line for this brake fluid has already dried up. That said, there are likely some retail establishments that will continue to have it on their shelves until it is sold out, and some of those retailers will likely continue importing Super Blue under the auspices of “For Off-Highway Use Only”, but we’ll see. In the long run, I guess these are the brakes…
http://hooniverse.com/2013/08/16/bra...-distribution/
Last night, we heard through the grapevine that Alfred Teves Enginieering (ATE, a division of Continental) would be discontinuing the sales and distribution of the popular “Super Blue” variant of its DOT 4 brake fluid. Apparently the Super Blue fluid has run afoul of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard after nearly 15 years on the market for being blue. For the correspondence Continental sent to their distributors, and more of the story, click through the break.
It seems that the federal government has taken 15 years to figure out that Super Blue fluid is, in fact, blue in color. Evidently there is a stipulation that all brake fluids distributed in the US must be either clear or amber in color. This begs the question, why is that a law? The blue color was one of the major selling points of Super Blue fluid, as it made a complete bleed of your braking system much easier to accomplish. I would use ATE Super Blue and ATE Typ 200 fluids alternately (Typ 200 is the amber version of Super Blue), filling the master cylinder with one color, and when the color coming out through the caliper changed, it was easy to tell that all of the old fluid had been expunged from the system.
As this is effective immediately, the supply line for this brake fluid has already dried up. That said, there are likely some retail establishments that will continue to have it on their shelves until it is sold out, and some of those retailers will likely continue importing Super Blue under the auspices of “For Off-Highway Use Only”, but we’ll see. In the long run, I guess these are the brakes…
http://hooniverse.com/2013/08/16/bra...-distribution/
First they monitor who I call....
Then they read my e-mail and monitor the internet.....
Now they want to control what I use for brake fluid?!
Next....regulation of toilets... Oops too late...shower heads...too late...
Maybe this will be the LAST THING THEY MUST DO TO SAVE US!!
Then they read my e-mail and monitor the internet.....
Now they want to control what I use for brake fluid?!
Next....regulation of toilets... Oops too late...shower heads...too late...
Maybe this will be the LAST THING THEY MUST DO TO SAVE US!!
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...far-this-time/
"First they came for the communists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the socialists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me."
In an act of almost incomprehensible stupidity, ignorance, and just plain mean-spiritedness, the Federal Government of the United States of America has apparently struck a blow against motoring enthusiasts across the country.
That’s right. The sons-of-******* have banned ATE Super Blue brake fluid. Club racers and track rats have long known that by alternating Super Blue and ATE 200 Gold, it was possible to easily confirm that your system was properly flushed, even under low light or in hectic conditions.
The notice doesn’t make it absolutely plain that the G stepped in, but why else would Continental stop distributing and forcibly recall a product that has, to my knowledge, never been used to mislead or cheat or otherwise injure a motorist? I mean, sure, I’m running Super Blue in Boxxy, my 986S Anniversary Edition, right now, and driving it around on the street, but that isn’t hurting anyone. Super Blue is made for and sold to people who know what to do with it. There’s no risk of any kind here. I feel sick to my stomach. Yeah, it was never as good as, say, Motul 600, but it was the everyman’s brake fluid.
I’m going to wrap this up because I start to channel Thomas Paine, but seriously… with all the problems facing the United States in the year 2013, is SUPER BLUE RACE FLUID the biggest priority? The hell with this. If you guys need me, I’ll be out in the woods building a cabin or something.
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the socialists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me."
In an act of almost incomprehensible stupidity, ignorance, and just plain mean-spiritedness, the Federal Government of the United States of America has apparently struck a blow against motoring enthusiasts across the country.
That’s right. The sons-of-******* have banned ATE Super Blue brake fluid. Club racers and track rats have long known that by alternating Super Blue and ATE 200 Gold, it was possible to easily confirm that your system was properly flushed, even under low light or in hectic conditions.
The notice doesn’t make it absolutely plain that the G stepped in, but why else would Continental stop distributing and forcibly recall a product that has, to my knowledge, never been used to mislead or cheat or otherwise injure a motorist? I mean, sure, I’m running Super Blue in Boxxy, my 986S Anniversary Edition, right now, and driving it around on the street, but that isn’t hurting anyone. Super Blue is made for and sold to people who know what to do with it. There’s no risk of any kind here. I feel sick to my stomach. Yeah, it was never as good as, say, Motul 600, but it was the everyman’s brake fluid.
I’m going to wrap this up because I start to channel Thomas Paine, but seriously… with all the problems facing the United States in the year 2013, is SUPER BLUE RACE FLUID the biggest priority? The hell with this. If you guys need me, I’ll be out in the woods building a cabin or something.
Pretty sure this has been illegal in many states for a long time now. Maybe the federal govt has finally stepped in to save us from putting brake fluid in our windshield washer reservoir. Oh noes the horror of differently colored brake fluid.
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Crap!! I have blur radiator fluid!!
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Western NC
First they monitor who I call....
Then they read my e-mail and monitor the internet.....
Now they want to control what I use for brake fluid?!
Next....regulation of toilets... Oops too late...shower heads...too late...
Maybe this will be the LAST THING THEY MUST DO TO SAVE US!!
Then they read my e-mail and monitor the internet.....
Now they want to control what I use for brake fluid?!
Next....regulation of toilets... Oops too late...shower heads...too late...
Maybe this will be the LAST THING THEY MUST DO TO SAVE US!!
Making more on my 3D printer....no worries!!
If they try to take my 4 gallon flush toilet that I smuggled in from CANADA OR my high-flow shower heads....wow!!
Crap...guess I can't keep a secret....
Oops...dinner on the stove is ready...pressure cooker is jiggling.....
Knock-knock....oops...got a go the KGB is at the door....er I mean the FBI!!
If they try to take my 4 gallon flush toilet that I smuggled in from CANADA OR my high-flow shower heads....wow!!
Crap...guess I can't keep a secret....
Oops...dinner on the stove is ready...pressure cooker is jiggling.....
Knock-knock....oops...got a go the KGB is at the door....er I mean the FBI!!
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, CA
Most Ive seen is 1.6--must be regulation. That must be one hell of a hiding spot if you truly "smuggled" it in (as in completely hidden). And its easy to remove the plastic piece in a shower head that restricts water flow
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: baltimore, md
Last week while I was looking for an engine air filter and more brake fluid. ... I found that minicarparts.net still sells Super Blue.
Actually, they still have it today.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using NAMotoring
Actually, they still have it today.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using NAMotoring
Ok I'm as freedom loving as the next guy, but the law is nothing new..
NHTSA: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations, No. 116
The law began in 1968, as a way to avoid brake fluid from being misused due to color. Dumb law? Of course. But this isn't the government doing anything new or drastic in the world of regulation. Its just the company's liability lawyers not being able to cover their rear any more.
NHTSA: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations, No. 116
The law began in 1968, as a way to avoid brake fluid from being misused due to color. Dumb law? Of course. But this isn't the government doing anything new or drastic in the world of regulation. Its just the company's liability lawyers not being able to cover their rear any more.
I got two cans on eBay. $18 each free shipping. Got em in just a few days.
I’m ready to go for the next 4 years as the 200 will always be available.
Rich
I’m ready to go for the next 4 years as the 200 will always be available.
Rich
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
Hello everyone,
Been off link for while, for don't drive my mini too much. About two years ago I purchased a brake bleeding kit and 3 one liter cans of ATE Super Blue Racing. But, I never got around to doing it.
Since then I purchased a 2009 Jetta and learned that it and the mini can share the same fluid Pentosin DOT4 LV. With that I plan to replace the fluid.
Of the super blue, it has never been opened, always keep in shipping box in my garage. One can does have a ding mark on it, but they all look shiny.
With that, anyone interested in the Super Blue, and will the Pentosin DOT4 LV really work for both cars?
I don't know how much to ask for this, nor shipping costs, nor how to receive payment, thus advise. I am in West Virginia.
Of the forum, a ton of information and enjoy reading it.
Juanpablo2002
Been off link for while, for don't drive my mini too much. About two years ago I purchased a brake bleeding kit and 3 one liter cans of ATE Super Blue Racing. But, I never got around to doing it.
Since then I purchased a 2009 Jetta and learned that it and the mini can share the same fluid Pentosin DOT4 LV. With that I plan to replace the fluid.
Of the super blue, it has never been opened, always keep in shipping box in my garage. One can does have a ding mark on it, but they all look shiny.
With that, anyone interested in the Super Blue, and will the Pentosin DOT4 LV really work for both cars?
I don't know how much to ask for this, nor shipping costs, nor how to receive payment, thus advise. I am in West Virginia.
Of the forum, a ton of information and enjoy reading it.
Juanpablo2002
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
Super 8 blue racing brake fluid - DOT4
Hello everyone,
been away for a bit, and haven't been driving my mini in such bad weather. I have a 2002 Mini Cooper S, always garage kept, never seen snow.
Question: Two years ago I was to replace the brake fluid with Super 8. Bought 3 one-liter cans and a pressure system. Looked at the brakes and decided to just wait. Now I also have a 2009 Jetta SE, which also needs its brake fluid replaced.
I did check and seems that Pentosin DOT4 LV will work for both. Given that, I would rather use the Pentosin. Therefore I don't have a need for the Super 8. Of the Super 8, its been kept in the shipping box, never opened, and all cans are spotless, one is a bit dinged, but likely by the UPS man. I would be glad to package up and ship, but don't know of a fair price, nor how to arrange payment.
Side note: never take your mini for an oil change to a quick place. I did that, then when I changed the oil myself the oil pan plug was so tight that I liked to have never got it off. As I did unscrew it I noticed metal shavings along the threads. Once out I had a nice clean hole in the pan, but no threads for the plug????????????
I thought I would have to buy a tap and get a larger plug. But told the NAPA store of the problem and they sold me an oversize drain plug. This is a plug that taps as you screw it in. To eliminate shavings I raised the front of the car, then carefully aligned the plug and turned it. I would go about 1/2 turn, remove the plug, wipe the hole for shavings, then pour about 8 ozs of regular 10-40 into to engine to flush any shavings out. I continued doing this until it was tight. Then removed it again, cleaned shavings, last flush with regular oil, and replaced the plug. No leaks, and now use a suction pump for the engine oil.
Again, I enjoy this forum and the knowledge and helpful people,
juanpablo
been away for a bit, and haven't been driving my mini in such bad weather. I have a 2002 Mini Cooper S, always garage kept, never seen snow.
Question: Two years ago I was to replace the brake fluid with Super 8. Bought 3 one-liter cans and a pressure system. Looked at the brakes and decided to just wait. Now I also have a 2009 Jetta SE, which also needs its brake fluid replaced.
I did check and seems that Pentosin DOT4 LV will work for both. Given that, I would rather use the Pentosin. Therefore I don't have a need for the Super 8. Of the Super 8, its been kept in the shipping box, never opened, and all cans are spotless, one is a bit dinged, but likely by the UPS man. I would be glad to package up and ship, but don't know of a fair price, nor how to arrange payment.
Side note: never take your mini for an oil change to a quick place. I did that, then when I changed the oil myself the oil pan plug was so tight that I liked to have never got it off. As I did unscrew it I noticed metal shavings along the threads. Once out I had a nice clean hole in the pan, but no threads for the plug????????????
I thought I would have to buy a tap and get a larger plug. But told the NAPA store of the problem and they sold me an oversize drain plug. This is a plug that taps as you screw it in. To eliminate shavings I raised the front of the car, then carefully aligned the plug and turned it. I would go about 1/2 turn, remove the plug, wipe the hole for shavings, then pour about 8 ozs of regular 10-40 into to engine to flush any shavings out. I continued doing this until it was tight. Then removed it again, cleaned shavings, last flush with regular oil, and replaced the plug. No leaks, and now use a suction pump for the engine oil.
Again, I enjoy this forum and the knowledge and helpful people,
juanpablo
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