brake fluid type?

[Haley]

Ok, this car spends more time on the jack than on the road!
Now I noticed my brakes were almost going to the floor. Check my fluid...almost empty. Look under the car....leak!!
So, anyway, I notice on the cap it says dot 3 fluid. If I remember correctly, you can mix dot 3 and 4, right? So I could safely use dot 4?
My next question is this:
If I just fill the fluid up, do I have to bleed them right away or will I be ok to drive home from work and do it later?
Haley

[Inodoro Pereyra]

You can use DOT 3 or DOT 4, no problem. You can NOT use DOT 5.

The main difference between DOT 3 and 4 is that DOT 4 has a higher boiling point. Other than that, they're about the same.

[wytbishop]

If it's almost empty there's a decet chance that there is some air in the lines. You'll need to bleed them to be sure and it's a good idea to do anyway.

Speed bleeders are an awesome investment btw. I got some recently and it makes bleeding so easy. They are made by Russell and usually available at your local speed shop. Just find out where the hotrod muscle car guys go to get their cool stuff and call them. Part number guide below. Worth the $35 or so I paid for mine.

http://www.russellperformance.com/mc/speed/import.shtml

[stereoking15]

a lot of the fluid is synthetic nowadays and is compatiblile with dot 3,4 and 5.1 which is different then the silcone based dot 5. Its a good idea to go ahead and flush every 2-3 years. I do it every year since I track my car I use the Ate super blue race fluid can be had for $15 and 1 quart will take care of your whole car and remember to bleed the clutch slave cylinder line since it is linked from the master cylinder.

[mikeinaus]

If it's almost empty there's a decet chance that there is some air in the lines. You'll need to bleed them to be sure and it's a good idea to do anyway.

Speed bleeders are an awesome investment btw. I got some recently and it makes bleeding so easy. They are made by Russell and usually available at your local speed shop. Just find out where the hotrod muscle car guys go to get their cool stuff and call them. Part number guide below. Worth the $35 or so I paid for mine.

http://www.russellperformance.com/mc/speed/import.shtml

those are awesome!

[kakarot135]

not available for drum brakes on the mx3, guess I need to do the rear disc swap....