MG Midget Forum

Been a while since someone has said something about cars and I was totally oblivious.... today's comment was "Clutch Fluid". Now I feel like a total newbie again...

I only have one stick-shift car (my Midget) and I was always under the assumption that Brake Fluid is Clutch Fluid. I was thinking perhaps he was joking and was going to go on to "Blinker Fluid" next - but no. Upon further investigation I was amazed that all of my auto part stores actually carry "Clutch Fluid" (and many options at that). I have seen several on-line comments similar to the one below that are now puzzling me:


It’s the right stuff to use in a clutch master and slave if you have a separate system for the clutch. Clutch slaves that bleed off the brake master are designed for the harshness of straight brake fluid.


Which leads me to my question. Our Midget brake and clutch cylinders are separate systems - which would seem to indicate the use of "Clutch Fluid" in our cars.

Anyone ever come across this before? Opinions?
(I'll go get some popcorn for the ensuing discussions)

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Thomas (Count) Basey
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“With each replacement of parts, my British car slowly becomes Chinese.”

I think the clutch was the only fluid I didn't replace when I got mine.
Trans was dry . Drained what was there & topped up with MT90
Brakes got done when I replaced both front calipers
Diff done as a precaution
Coolant done when I changed to the Spitfire constant speed fan
Fuel, as needed
Clutch reservoir looked clean, so I didn't R&R that one.

Following for the comments, esp since we both have 1500s.

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1975 MG Midget 1500 - Midge
Work in Progress

The owners manual calls for using DOT 3 brake fluid in both the brake & clutch reservoirs.

Oh... I know. I've drained and filled mine a long time ago when I first bought it (and please, no one start the DOT3 vs DOT4 conversation again - plenty of threads about this already out there). Let's just leave it at "the manual calls for BRAKE fluid".

I've just never heard of Clutch Fluid before today. Blew my mind.

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Thomas (Count) Basey
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“With each replacement of parts, my British car slowly becomes Chinese.”

Hydraulic fluid would be a better name.

But if you were a manufacturer wouldn't you want people to buy two different bottles of the same thing?

I've never heard of it being called "clutch fluid" either. I haven't had to buy any in several years. I'll bet it's a marketing thing like Karl says. They're trying to get you to buy two bottles of the same thing.

I use silicone brake fluid in my clutch. I’ve been using it for 15 years. No problems.