ASE Brakes Certification Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

The property of being not harmful to painted surfaces is not characteristic of DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids. In fact, both DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids are glycol-based and can potentially cause damage to automotive paint finishes if spilled. Maintaining the integrity of painted surfaces is important in automotive repair and maintenance, which is why care must be taken when handling these fluids.

On the other hand, the other properties highlight essential features of DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids. They typically have high boiling points necessary for performance under extreme braking conditions, which helps prevent brake fade. Additionally, their relatively low freezing points contribute to consistent performance in various weather conditions. Lastly, being hygroscopic means they absorb moisture from the environment, a property that requires regular monitoring and replacement to maintain effective braking performance, as absorbed moisture can lower the boiling point of the fluid.