Opie oils for Dexron 3.

For Dot3 brake fluid, you'll struggle to get it. Mainly because Dot 4 is better (higher boiling points for wet and dry). If you speak to Opie, they'll recommend an alternative.

Power steering fluid is the same product as Auto Transmission fluid. AIUI Dexron is a brand. Other (cheaper) brands are available from sources such as Euro Car Parts.

DOT3 is quite an old spec for brake fluid and is getting hard to source though ECP still have it from time to time. Current equivalent spec seems to be DOT4 and best advice would probably be to use that instead, getting system drained and bled at time of refill. Best practice is to change brake fluid every couple of years anyway as it absorbs water which can boil on (eg) long mountain descents and cause vapour locking leading to loss of braking action

For topping up -

Brake fluid 500ml £4.50 delivered - I've bought stuff from here, no problem

goo.gl/P24Yzr (ebay)

Power steering fluid 335ml £3.99 delivered - ECP via ebay.

goo.gl/ypPf3T

Edited by Manatee on 03/07/2014 at 11:33

Brake fluid for [most] cars comes in DoT 3, DoT 4 and DoT 5.1 and these standards came out in that chronological order. They are also forwards compatible (ie if 3 is specified you can use 4, if 4 specified you can use 5.1 but not 3). They are also perfectly compatible and mix fine, but if moving 'up' from 3 to 4 I'd suggest you flush through the whole system (you should do this every 2 to 4 years anyway). **see below**

To complicate matters further, there are more recent variations on the DoT 4 standard. Many manufacturers make their own brand of DoT 4 fluid which has superior properties in some way or other compared to the standard.

If your car has ABS and/or ESP then a low viscosity version of DoT 4 would be recommended (improves responsiveness). There are also long service and cold climate versions.

My car has both ABS and ESP so I use Shell DoT4 ESP, which I change every 2 years. There are many sellers, but I buy mine from Demon Tweeks to ensure I'm getting the genuine product and not some rip-off fake version.

If you do have ABS and you are DIYing, be sure to open the bleed nipples when pushing back the pistons. Do not pump fluid 'backwards' through the ABS system. I use a Gunsons Easi-Bleed kit.

** the pedantic here will point out that where I said [most] cars I forgot to include DoT 5 (DO NOT use this it is a silicon formula) and that some cars like Citroens and Rolls use a special fluid for their active brake systems.