Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[IamFODI]

What's the shelf life of brake fluid? Asking about fluid in a previously opened container but the fluid isn't used, and brand new in a sealed unopened container. If I check the moisture is that a good enough indicator that it's good or not?

Not sure how useful my experience/perspective is, but...

All my brake fluid is SRF (thank-you, FCP Euro), which is is supposedly less hygroscopic than many fluids, and even its wet boiling point is still high enough for street use. So, for the Mazda, I'll use unsealed but unused brake fluid as long as my brake fluid test pen shows no moisture. I know pens are not super trustworthy, but SRF is such hilarious overkill that I figure I'm okay using it as long as the pen reads zero moisture on all its modes.

...But for the M3, I'll still only use fluid from sealed, unopened containers (largely because occasional track time).

[Slideways]

Not sure how useful my experience/perspective is, but...

All my brake fluid is SRF (thank-you, FCP Euro), which is is supposedly less hygroscopic than many fluids, and even its wet boiling point is still high enough for street use. So, for the Mazda, I'll use unsealed but unused brake fluid as long as my brake fluid test pen shows no moisture. I know pens are not super trustworthy, but SRF is such hilarious overkill that I figure I'm okay using it as long as the pen reads zero moisture on all its modes.

...But for the M3, I'll still only use fluid from sealed, unopened containers (largely because occasional track time).

I would guess it depends on the environment where the container is kept. If it is stored in a dry environment with the container in a sealed plastic bag, the brake fluids moisture content should not change much and will probably still test good. Found this video where the owner is testing Motul RBF 600:

[Nate047]

Thanks guys, I have some LiquiMoly fluid left over and I will test it and see.

[davidinnyc]

Update in case anyone is pursuing the following:

ZCP 8.0” front ET+47
ZCP 9.5” rear ET+27
245/35/19R Continental Extremecontact Sport 02 XL
275/30/19R Continental Extremecontact Sport 02 XL
Porsche 996 BBK (4 pot front and rear)
stock suspension (for now)

I attempted 12MM spacers in the rear and immediately concluded that the top of the tire would rub the rear fender by about 5MM. I’ll try 8MM and the 5MM, but I may just leave the rears without spacers.

The front has a great look and clears the fenders with 15MM spacers. I’m sure that I could go 18MM, not sure about 20MM. Right now the gap between the tires and the fenders are pretty close to even on the front and the rear with this setup.

[Tbonem3]

It's the tires David. The recommendation for years has been 15/12 for stock wheels, but that was based on people having the stock 225/255. Might get away with it on 235/265, but not 245/275.

I would run a 5mm in the rear. 6-9mm will not leave enough hub lip to center the wheel when torquing. Actually, I have a spare set of 5mm spacers I can give you.

[L0okitzRaj]

And just so I can post a [sideways] picture of my car - you can do 275/30 with 15mm spacers in the rear if you are willing to shave your fenders…..

[heinzboehmer]

And just so I can post a [sideways] picture of my car - you can do 275/30 with 15mm spacers in the rear if you are willing to shave your fenders…..

If my car ever needs major paint work, I'm going full out and redoing the entire thing in oxford green. Such a great looking color.

[Tbonem3]

If my car ever needs major paint work, I'm going full out and redoing the entire thing in oxford green. Such a great looking color.

Same same.

[L0okitzRaj]

If my car ever needs major paint work, I'm going full out and redoing the entire thing in oxford green. Such a great looking color.

…it pretty much looks black most of the time, unless you get a shot of direct lighting

[heinzboehmer]

…it pretty much looks black most of the time, unless you get a shot of direct lighting

That's why I like it!

[Tbonem3]

And we're in Socal Raj, so the OG, like my jerez, gets to pop a lot.

[Nate047]

Is this a euro headliner or US? Need a quick dummy check

[heinzboehmer]

Is this a euro headliner or US? Need a quick dummy check

US. Euro ones don't have that bump in the middle.

[Nate047]

Thought so, man these things are hard to find.

[heinzboehmer]

They really are. I ended up settling for a US one. Figured it's easy to swap a euro one in if I come across one in the future.