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Transport Canada
Disclaimer: These documents are not the official versions (more). Standard 116

MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT

Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations

Standard 116



Hydraulic Brake Fluids

116. (1) Every hydraulic brake system of a vehicle shall contain

(a) grade DOT 3, grade DOT 4 or grade DOT 5 brake fluid; or

(b) hydraulic system mineral oil.

(2) Grade DOT 3 brake fluid is a brake fluid that complies with the specifications set out in subsection (5) and that, when subjected to the test methods set out in Motor Vehicle Safety Test Methods, Section 116, "Hydraulic Brake Fluids", shall have

(a) an ERBP of not less than 205°C (401°F);

(b) a wet ERBP of not less than 140°C (284°F); and

(c) a kinematic viscosity when measured in mm2/s

(i) at -40°C (-40°F), of not more than a maximum value of 1 500 mm2/s, and

(ii) at 100°C (212°F), of not less than a minimum value of 1.5 mm2/s.

(3) Grade DOT 4 brake fluid is a brake fluid that complies with the specifications set out in subsection (5) and that, when subjected to the test methods set out in Motor Vehicle Safety Test Methods, Section 116, "Hydraulic Brake Fluids", shall have

(a) an ERBP of not less than 230°C (446°F);

(b) a wet ERBP of not less than 155°C (311°F); and

(c) a kinematic viscosity when measured in mm2/s

(i) at -40°C (-40°F), of not more than a maximum value of 1 800 mm2/s, and

(ii) at 100°C (212°F), of not less than a minimum value of 1.5 mm2/s.

(4) Grade DOT 5 brake fluid and grade DOT 5.1 brake fluid are brake fluids that comply with the specifications set out in subsections (6) and (5), respectively, and that, when subjected to the test methods set out in Motor Vehicle Safety Test Methods, Section 116, "Hydraulic Brake Fluids", shall have

(a) an ERBP of not less than 260°C (500°F);

(b) a wet ERBP of not less than 180°C (356°F); and

(c) a kinematic viscosity when measured in mm2/s

(i) at -40°C (-40°F) of not more than a maximum value of 900 mm2/s, and

(ii) at 100°C (212°F) of not less than a minimum value of 1.5 mm2/s.

(5) Grade DOT 3 brake fluid and grade DOT 4 brake fluid, and grade DOT 5.1 brake fluid, when subjected to the test methods set out in Motor Vehicle Safety Test Methods, Section 116, "Hydraulic Brake Fluids", shall

(a) have a pH value of not less than 7 and not more than 11.5;

(b) have high temperature stability such that the ERBP does not change by more than 3°C (5.4°F) plus 0.05°C (0.09°F) for each degree that the ERBP of the fluid exceeds 225°C (437°F);

(c) have chemical stability such that the ERBP of the fluid mixture does not change by more than 3°C (5.4°F) plus 0.05°C (0.09°F) for each degree that the ERBP of the fluid mixture exceeds 225°C (437°F);

(d) with respect to corrosion, not exhibit at the end of the test

(i) in the case of the various metal test strips,

(A) weight changes more than those set out in Table I to this section,

(B) pitting or etching to an extent discernible without magnification, excluding the area of contact 13 ± 1 mm (1/2 ± 1/32 inch) measured from the bolt hole end of the metal test strip, and

(C) a crystalline deposit forming on or adhering to either the surface of the metal test strip or the wall of the glass jar,

(ii) in the case of the water-wet brake fluid,

(A) gelling at 23 ± 5°C (73.4 ± 9°F),

(B) more than 0.10 per cent sedimentation by volume, and

(C) a pH value of not less than 7 and not more than 11.5, and

(iii) in the case of the rubber cups,

(A) disintegration as evidenced by blisters or sloughing,

(B) more than 15 IRHD decrease in hardness, and

(C) more than 1.4 mm (0.055 inch) increase in base diameter;

(e) with respect to fluidity and appearance at the storage temperature and for the storage times set out in Table II to this section,

(i) show no stratification, sedimentation, sludging or crystallization,

(ii) upon inversion of the sample bottle, allow the air bubble to travel to the top of the fluid in not more than the maximum bubble flow times set out in Table II to this section, and

(iii) on warming to room temperature the fluid shall resume the appearance and fluidity that it had before chilling;

(f) with respect to evaporation,

(i) not experience a weight loss in excess of 80 per cent,

(ii) not contain precipitate brake fluid residue after evaporation that remains gritty or abrasive when rubbed with the fingertips, and

(iii) have a residue pour point below -5°C (+23°F);

(g) with respect to water tolerance,

(i) at -40°C (-40°F)

(A) show no stratification, sedimentation, sludging or crystallization,

(B) upon inversion of the centrifuge tube, allow the air bubble to travel to the top of the fluid in not more than 10 seconds, and

(C) if cloudiness has developed, the wet fluid shall regain its original clarity and fluidity when warmed to room temperature, and

(ii) at 60°C (140°F), show

(A) no stratification, and

(B) not more than 0.15 per cent sedimentation by volume after centrifuging;

(h) with respect to compatibility,

(i) at -40°C (-40°F) show no stratification, sedimentation, sludging or crystallization, and

(ii) at 60°C (140°F), show

(A) no stratification, and

(B) not more than 0.05 per cent sedimentation by volume after centrifuging;

(i) with respect to resistance to oxidation,

(i) show no pitting or etching of the metal test strips outside the areas in contact with the tinfoil to an extent discernible without magnification,

(ii) deposit no more than a trace of gum on the test strips outside the areas in contact with the tinfoil,

(iii) not change the weight of the aluminum strips by more than 0.5 g/m2, and

(iv) not change the weight of the cast iron strips by more than 3.0 g/m2;

(j) with respect to the effect on rubber brake cups subjected to brake fluid,

(i) increase the diameter of the base of the cups not more than 1.40 mm (0.055 inch) and not less than 0.15 mm (0.006 inch),

(ii) decrease the hardness of the cups not more than 10 IRHD at 70°C (158°F) and not more than 15 IRHD at 120°C (248°F),

(iii) not increase the hardness of the cups, and

(iv) cause no disintegration of the cups that is evidenced by stickiness, blisters or sloughing; and

(k) with respect to stroking properties,

(i) cause no pitting or etching of metal parts of the test system that is discernible without magnification,

(ii) not change the diameter of any cylinder or piston by more than 0.13 mm (0.005 inch),

(iii) not cause more than 15 IRHD average decrease in hardness in 7 of 8 rubber brake cups tested (6 wheel cylinder and one master cylinder primary), nor more than 17 IRHD decrease in hardness in more than 1 of the 7 cups,

(iv) not cause an unsatisfactory operating condition as evidenced by stickiness, scuffing, blisters, cracking, chipping or other abnormal changes in shape from original appearance in any of the 8 rubber brake cups tested,

(v) not cause more than 0.9 mm (0.035 inch) increase in diameter in any of the 8 rubber brake cups tested,

(vi) not cause the average lip diameter of the 8 rubber brake cups tested to be deformed by more than 65 per cent,

(vii) not cause more than 36 ml by volume loss of fluid during any period of 24,000 strokes,

(viii) not cause the cylinder pistons to freeze or function improperly during the test,

(ix) not cause more than 36 ml total loss of fluid during the 100 strokes at the end of the test,

(x) show no formation of gels at the end of the test,

(xi) not contain more than 1.5 per cent by volume of sediment at the end of the test, and

(xii) not cause in brake cylinders deposits that are abrasive or that cannot be removed when rubbed moderately with a non-abrasive cloth wetted with ethanol.

(6) Grade DOT 5 brake fluid, when subjected to the test methods set out in Motor Vehicle Safety Test Methods, Section 116, "Hydraulic Brake Fluids", shall meet the requirements set out in subsection (5), but omitting

(a) the requirements of paragraphs (5)(a) and (c), clause (5)(d)(ii)(C), clause (5)(h)(ii)(A), and

(b) the no stratification requirements of subparagraph (5)(h)(i).

(7) The colour of brake fluid shall

(a) in the case of grade DOT 3, grade DOT 4, and grade DOT 5.1 brake fluids, be from colourless to amber; and

(b) in the case of grade DOT 5 brake fluid, be purple.

(8) The colour of hydraulic system mineral oil shall be green.

TABLE I

Test Strip Material Max. permissible weight change, g/m2 of surface
Steel, tinned iron, cast iron 2
Aluminum 1
Brass, copper 4

  

TABLE II

Fluidity and Appearance at Low Temperatures

Storage Temperature Storage time (hours) Max. bubble flow time (seconds)
Minus 40 ± 2°C (Minus 40 " 3.6°F) 144 ± 4.0 10
Minus 50 ± 2°C (Minus 58 " 3.6°F) 6 ± 0.2 35

Established by the CONSOLIDATED REGULATIONS OF CANADA, 1978.

amended by

SOR/79-940 6 December, 1979 pursuant to sections 4 and 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act

Section 118 of Schedule IV is renumbered as section 116.

SOR/93-561 9 December, 1993 pursuant to sections 4 and 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act

The heading preceding section 116 of Schedule IV; subsection 116(2) of Schedule IV preceding paragraph (a); subsection 116(3) of Schedule IV preceding paragraph (a); subsection 116(4) of Schedule IV preceding paragraph (a); subsection 116(5) of Schedule IV preceding paragraph (a); paragraph 116(5)(c) of Schedule IV; subparagraphs 116(k)(iii) to (vi) of Schedule IV; subsection 116(6) of Schedule IV preceding paragraph (a); section 116 of Schedule IV by adding sections 116(7) and 116(8).


Last updated: 2005-03-02 Top of Page Important Notices