On 22 Jan 2004 13:16:23 -0800, sstula@hotmail.com (Sebastian) wrote:

>I have a 2002 Civic EX with ABS. Approximately 10,000km's (6,000
>miles) and 6 months ago the reservoir for the break fluid was at the
>Minimum level, I refilled the reservoir to the max line and now it is
>at the Minimum level again. This is the first car that I've owned
>with ABS so I'm wondering if this is normal.

No - it's not normal. The level goes down somewhat with normal brake pad
wear... from max to say about 1/3 the way up from the min level, until you
change the pads, when it should go back up again to the max. You must have
a leak and need to find out where. This could be a dangerous situation so
find it quickly.

>Also, does the type of break fluid that I use have any impact on
>breaking performance. I was at my local automotive shop and noticed
>the following types of break fluid, DOT3, DOT4, and DOT3 for ABS. Does
>it matter which one I use?

In recent years, Honda recommends their own brand DOT3. Personally I don't
like it and continue to use a premium DOT4 fluid, like Castrol GTLMA or
Valvoline Synpower, as I always did before their new recommendations.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??