Can you use baby oil for brake fluid?

Shimano use mineral oil in all their brakes. The proper stuff is pretty thin, and specially formulated (so Shimano claim anyway) to have a quite high boiling point. Baby oil could be used in an emergency, but its higher viscosity could affect performance, and may have a lower boiling point than the proper stuff.
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What else can be used as brake fluid?

If you have a brake fluid emergency while you're out on the road and don't have access to soap, it is acceptable to use just radiator water. In either case, try to be light on the brakes, and stop by slowing the engine when possible: if the brakes get too hot, the water can boil.
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What oil can be used as brake fluid?

Most brake fluids used today are glycol-ether based, but mineral oil (Citroën/Rolls-Royce liquide hydraulique minéral (LHM)) and silicone-based (DOT 5) fluids are also available.
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Can I use baby oil instead of mineral oil MTB?

If you look at the labels, even generic motor oils will say mineral oil as the main ingredient. You can use any lower weight fork oil, with matched viscosity, as these are not complex oils. If the viscosity is higher, the calipers wont retract correctly and you will have more brake rub.
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Is Baby Oil mineral oil?

Baby oil is a petroleum-based mineral oil. It's considered a byproduct of the process to refine crude oil. Baby oil is refined further for use in skin care products and is safe when used externally on the skin. It has been shown to effectively protect babies from diaper rash.
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I filled my mountain bike brakes with baby oil for a year and here are the results!



What is a good substitute for mineral oil?

Mineral Oil Alternatives

Examples include coconut oil, shea butter and olive oil. Hewett says to specifically look for oils with larger molecules that don't penetrate the skin easily to replicate the effect of mineral oil. They include castor oil, avocado oil and grapeseed oil.
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Can you use baby oil MTB brake fluid?

No, you absolutely should not. Bicycle disc brake systems are very delicate and using the wrong kind of fluid can and will damage the seals and rubber components of the brake. The safest thing to do is to only use Shimano mineral oil for your brakes which is available at most bike shops.
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Can you put oil on disc brakes?

At all costs avoid getting any type of oil or bike spray (think GT85, WD40 etcetera) on your rotors. This involves just a little more precision when lubing or spraying your drive chain to avoid getting anything on your discs. It might even be worth removing the wheels before you begin.
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What is Johnsons baby oil made of?

It's a clear liquid made out of petroleum-based mineral oil and fragrance. According to Johnson & Johnson, baby oil can be applied to a baby's skin before a massage.
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Can I use oil instead of brake fluid?

Tom: Motor oils, including synthetic ones, are based on mineral oils. The problem is that mineral oils and rubber don't mix well. The oils can cause rubber to swell or deform, and because there are lots of rubber seals in your brake system, that eventually can make your brakes stick, leak or even fail.
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Can you use shampoo as brake fluid?

Cuban mechanics cannibalize Russian Ladas and Volgas for parts. They make exact replicas of 1950's hood ornaments and windshields from scratch. For brake fluid, they use a concoction of oil, shampoo and soap. ''And it works!
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How do you make brake fluid?

They are obtained by reacting alkylene oxides (ethylene and propylene) with bifunctional components such as diols or water. Brake fluids usually contain up to 5% of additives.
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Can I put power steering fluid in my brakes?

When a petroleum-based fluid, such as power steering fluid, enters the brake system, damage begins immediately. The first damage is usually to the reservoir cap and master cylinder seals.
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Can you use rubbing alcohol for brake fluid?

Rubbing alcohol is the most aggressive solvent I'll use in a brake fluid reservoir.
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Can you stop without brake fluid?

Without any brake fluid, no pressure can be created to stop the car. Brake systems are completely sealed to assist in creating pressure. If there is a leak in the system, and the vehicle is losing brake fluid, your brakes will not be able to function well, or at all.
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Can you put WD40 on brakes?

WD40 should not be put on your brakes since it can reduce friction where it is needed and even break down and damage brake components. While spraying WD40 may temporarily reduce a brake squeal or squeak, it could also cause the brakes not to function correctly when you need them most.
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Can you put WD40 on disc brakes?

Well, you're in luck because WD-40 has formulated the perfect solution that can dissolve the grime and dirt stuck in your brakes for easy removal. Smart, right? WD-40 BIKE® Degreaser has been specially formulated for quick and easy removal of dirt, mud, and grime from the brake disc rotors.
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What can I use instead of disc brake cleaner?

Isopropyl alcohol is an alternative that you can buy from pharmacies or supermarkets. This popular antiseptic is the perfect safe cleaner for disc brakes.
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What can I use instead of Shimano brake fluid?

You can get just about 100% pure mineral oil at Walmart or probably any other pharmacy. It the viscosity is relatively high but it doesn't have anything else in it like Shimano or Magura would put in for seal longevity. It is used as a laxative. I have used it to lubricate sticky pistons.
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What oil can I use for Shimano brakes?

Genuine Shimano Mineral Oil is the only fluid compatible with Shimano brakes.
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Can I use mineral oil instead of dot 4?

No, mineral oil and DOT brake fluid are different and are NOT compatible.
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Can I use vegetable oil instead of mineral oil?

Mineral oil and vegetable oil have different properties and uses. Vegetable oil comes from plants, whereas mineral oil is a petroleum derivative. Mineral oil is used primarily in cosmetics and as a laxative; vegetable oil is used mainly in cooking. Both oils have miscellaneous household uses.
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Is peanut oil a mineral oil?

Vegetable oils are all those oils that are derived from plant products like seeds, nuts and fruits. Its popular sources include groundnut, soybean, sunflower, rapeseed, linseed, safflower, peanut, coconut, plum, olive, etc.
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Is glycerin the same as mineral oil?

Glycerol, also known as glycerin or glycerine, is actually an alcohol. Its molecules only contain 3 carbons, and it has a density of about 1.3 g/mL. Unlike mineral oil, it is soluble in water. In fact, it is hygroscopic, meaning glycerol will actually absorb water vapor from the air.
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