brake fluid DOT 3 / 4?

[KZ]

It's time to change the brake fluid, and it says to use only DOT 4 but I'm having a hard time to find it. Tried several shops, all they have is DOT 3. Some older bikes use 3 or 4, so can I simply take 3? What's up with these numbers anyway? Are these fluids really different from each other? I know silicone based fluid is, but what's the difference between 3 and 4?

 

[deckx]

Don't know where your from but they have it in carrefour, think i've seen it it in tescos as well.

Its to do with the boiling point of the fluid.

 

[KZ]

I'm in Hua Hin, we have a Tesco Lotus but I doubt that they have brake fluid...
Can I use DOT 3 even though it says use DOT 4?

 

[deckx]

check in tesco, there is a local thai brand which comes in a blue or yellow bottle , think blue is dot 3 is blue and yellow is dot 4.

I've topped up my rvf400 with dot 3 before, wouldn't think it'll make a huge difference for normal road riding.

 

[Marco]

We dont have carrefour, but should able to find any local car spare part shop,, thats where i got mine DOT4

 

[KZ]

I've checked with MC repair shops and some showed me products which didn't even say what DOT it was. But I've located some DOT 4 at the SHELL station.
I found some interesting information here: http://www.xs11.com/tips/maintenance/maint1.shtml
Seems like you can use DOT 3 instead of 4 without any problems or damage to the system, but it's not a good idea since DOT 4 is the better product. DO NOT use DOT 5 in a 4 designated system since it will lead to brake failure. The silicone will eat up your seals - you might as well poke a few holes into your brake lines!