DOT 4 Brake Fluid - longevity

[Vince in Milwaukee]

I have a couple of sealed containers of Dot 4 down my basement.  I'd say that they are about 2 years old.  Are they still okay to use, or even with being sealed, does some water still get in?  Thanks. 

[Spokane2303]

Same question from me!

Also, how about engine, transmission (gearbox) and final drive oils?

[pyoungbl]

I'm pretty sure the liquids in those sealed DOT 4 containers are just fine.  Heck, they might well have been on the shelf of AutoZone for that long before I bought my last one.  As for the oil, that's certainly OK since oil is not hydroscopic (big college word to make me sound smart...just means that the oil does not absorb water from the air like brake fluid does). 

Peter Y.

[nbags]

seal containers ok, once open 1 to 3 months i allway buy brake fluid in small containers so there is no left over.

[Wayne Orwig]

Better send it to me. I'll test it for you and report back in a few years.

[Bill Dee]

I am OK with using Dot 4 that is old as long as it is sealed.  Old new oil is good as long as it is sealed too. 

[Huzo]

I am OK with using Dot 4 that is old as long as it is sealed.  Old new oil is good as long as it is sealed too.

Don't know about y'all, but once I've dumped the front and rear brake fluid as well as the distilled cat's piss that comes out of the clutch m/c on my Norge and replace the whole shooting match, there's 3/5 th's of 5/8 th's of sweet bugger all left anyway, so I just give the rest the arse..!