XADO DOT-4 is a synthetic brake fluid for cars and trucks with disc or drum brakes, including those with ABS. It is also used in hydraulic clutch systems.

Brake fluid is the one fluid in your car that you hope you never have to think about, which is why most people don’t. Yet when you press the pedal, the pads are not what stops the car first. The fluid is. It carries the force of your foot to all four wheels, instantly and evenly, every single time.

It also has one weakness. Brake fluid slowly absorbs moisture from the air, and water lowers the temperature at which the fluid boils. On a long descent, such as the road down the escarpment with a loaded car, the brakes get extremely hot. If the fluid boils, bubbles form in the lines, the pedal goes soft and sinks, and the brakes fade just when you need them most.

This fluid is made to resist that. It boils at 265°C when fresh, and still holds above 170°C after it has taken on moisture, well beyond the DOT 4 standard. It stays firm under long, hard braking and carries heat away from the brakes quickly. It also protects the inside of the system against corrosion and deposits, so the brakes work smoothly without sticking.

Why drivers choose it

It keeps the pedal firm and consistent, even under repeated heavy braking. Its high boiling point guards against brake fade. It protects the brake system from corrosion and keeps it clean. It works with ABS and traction control systems. And it can be mixed with other DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 fluids, so topping up is straightforward.

Made for vehicles like yours

Almost every car, 4×4, pickup, van and light truck on the road uses DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid, and this fluid suits them all: Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Honda, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and more. It also suits vehicles with a hydraulic clutch.

It is especially worth having if you drive in hilly country, tow, carry heavy loads, or cannot remember when the brake fluid was last changed.

Do not use it in systems that specify DOT 5 silicone fluid or mineral hydraulic oil (LHM). The cap on your brake fluid reservoir shows the type required. If you are unsure, our specialists will confirm it for you.

Genuine XADO, straight from the source

Every can we sell comes directly from XADO and arrives sealed. That matters for brake fluid, which begins to absorb moisture once opened. Changing it means bleeding the brakes at each wheel, so many customers have it done at our Nairobi service centre.

You service the engine so the car will go. Service the brakes so it will stop.

How to use

Check the cap of the brake fluid reservoir or your owner’s handbook to confirm your car uses DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid. A full fluid change on a car takes about one litre.

To top up, wipe the reservoir cap clean, open it and add fluid up to the MAX mark. A level that keeps dropping means worn pads or a leak, so have the brakes checked.

A full change means bleeding the old fluid out at each wheel until fresh fluid comes through. Brakes are a safety system, so if you have not done this before, leave it to a workshop.

Brake fluid damages paint. Wipe up any spills straight away and rinse with water. Close the can tightly after use, and do not keep an opened can for long.