FWIW, DOT3 and DOT4 brake fluid absorbs moisture by design. No matter how tight you think your brake system is, moisture will and does get in. With glycol based brake fluid, which is hygroscopic, the moisture is absorbed into the entire volume of fluid. Over time this will mean replacing the brake fluid. Silicone brake fluid does not absorb moisture. While this seems to be an advantage, it isn't. Because the moisture is not absorbed into the fluid it ends up in the lowest point of the system, the calipers and wheel cylinders. As you know, water boils at 212˚F, so therein lies one of the problems with DOT5 brake fluid.
Another problem with silicone brake fluid is the fluid itself is compressible. That leads to a spongy pedal feel. I've never felt that the fact that silicone brake fluid doesn't damage paint to really be that big a deal.
If you switch over to the DOT-5 fluid you WILL have to change everything made of rubber in your brake system and flush out your hard line thoroughly, as it is not compatible with DOT-3 or DOT-4. If you do that and decide to switch back, you will have to change out everything rubber again.
The only entity that has gone completely with DOT-5 brake fluid is the US military, due to its superior cold weather properties, but they are in the process of phasing it out.
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John
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots!"
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