I've heard in the past that spilling brake fluid in your engine bay can cause a delayed reaction fire or some such. Anybody know if this it true or BS?

Have also heard from a generally good source that power steering fluid will blind you if you get it in your eyes. I use good eye protection anyway.

From the MSDS;





For definitions purposes:

The flash point of a flammable liquid is the lowest temperature at which there will be enough flammable vapor to ignite when an ignition source is applied. Unlike flash points, the autoignition temperature does not use an ignition source. ... As a result, the autoignition temperature is higher than the flash point.

It seems with having a minimum flash point of 201* DOT 3 brake fluid has the potential to combust if an ignition source is there to light the vapors within a normally heated engine compartment.

With it having an auto ignition point at nearly 600*, it seems this is too high for self combustion to occur in a normally heated engine compartment.

Not sure how long after spilling DOT 3 fluid these properties will remain to be active?

For the power steering fluid. From the MSDS;



Nope.. It will not make you blind. The first aid instructions say to flush until irritation subsides, and to seek medical attention only necessary if the fluid is temperature hot.

If you drink it though.. it will give you diarrhea and cramps. Generally non-toxic otherwise.

Yea I always wondered about that from the couple of sources I heard it from. One was a fleet manager with a real Logistics & Transportation degree too.

I ussually always wonder about everything.

I also put it like this too - I have trouble trusting myself at times.. let alone trusting someone else's word.

For a comparison factor of a common fluid I think we all know - gasoline (all grades);

Flash point = -45*
Auto ignition = 536*

MSDS for gasoline also states to immediately call 911 and/or seek immediate medical attention...

Warnings in an MSDS are always very dramatic and over-hyped, to keep the lawyers happy. I once read the MSDS for a chemical used to control odors in RV waste tanks. It would make anybody wonder how this very dangerous stuff could even be sold to the general public. Scary stuff!

The chemical was chalk dust.


By the way, brake fluid is a pretty good paint remover.

Smokes like crazy if you get some on the exhaust manifold. If Ihave been working on the engine area, I use a little brake cleaner, to clean up any brake fluid etc. on there. Cold engine only...brake cleaner will definitely make your cherokee go up in flames...highly flammable. Anyone old enough to remember using your mom/sisters hairspray and lighting it off with a cigarette lighter flame..worked good on wasp nests..if you didn't burn down the garage/house with it...lol

Or, directing it at your sisters.. burning their Barbies in front of them.. Normal right?

I can confirm 2 things

ATF; if you get your hair covered in it, will give your hair "body", better than any shampoo conditioner...found this out years ago (when I had hair)

Aerosol degreaser is an effective self-defence item against humans and dogs, is legal, stings the eyes if sprayed, and if accompanied by a lighter, well that ups the ante considerably

Be aware that catalytic converters work at around 600*, so brake fluid could flash if sprayed on them, as in 2000 CA emission jeeps. AND they are right below the master cylinder!

BTW, for those of you who DON'T know, WD-40 is flammable if sprayed on a running engine or heater blower motor! Part of that is the propane propellant used.

Check the label. Many chemical products contain a really nasty bit of legalese: "It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling". IOW, using it for anything other than the intended purpose is a federal crime. You could potentially be found justified in using deadly force, only to have the feds come after you for misusing a product.

Yes, it ups it to deadly weapon status. You had better be sure you are on solid legal ground for a deadly defense, because it will be treated legally just the same as if you had used a gun. If you are found to have not been justified in using deadly force, the "well, it wasn't a gun or a knife" defense will not help you one bit.