Need to add a little Brake Fluid to the Mini. It is a 2003 MC. What Brand/Type should i use. Thanks

 

Since you have to add some fluid anyway, now would be a good time to flush the brakes and add new fluid. I used Ate blue fluid (DOT4) so its easy enough to see when the old fluid is out and the new (blue) fluid is in. If you don't want to flush or can't find Ate Blue, any DOT 4 fluid will be fine.

 

People screw this up all the time. They change oil all the time but neglect this. Brake fluid absorbs moisture. All except 5.1 but that has its issues with spongy brake feel. You should never go more than three years without flushing your fluid. Imagine all that water in your system ruining your calipers.

A great track type fluid is MotulRBF600. The problem is that it is an amber color and not friendly to see when the old fluid is out. It should be changed yearly. The best is CastrolSRF at about $100 per change. A great alternative is Valvoline Syntech Dot4 usually found in a large size at Murray's or Autozone for about $5, a great fluid. A great pressure bleeder is Motive for $50. 2 pints of the Valvoline leaves a lot of room for error and learning. Easy to do. Reminder...turkey baster out the old clutch fluid and refill with the excess.

 

Agreed. DOT 3 and 4 fluid needs to be changed every couple years. ATE Superblue (or the gold version) are good low-cost fluids. Search around, there are a lot of threads on brake flushing/bleeding. If you don't want to get a pressure bleeder, they sell "speed bleeders" that replace the bleed valve in the brake calipers making it a 1 man job. I don't have them on the MINI yet but they work great on my other car.

 

Thanks for the help. I am going take the advice to have the Fluid changed.