Hi. I have an old 1948 Bedford O-Series truck, and I need to know what type of brake fluid to use. The truck itself uses a Lockheed hydraulic braking system, which is servo-assisted. The manual calls for “Lockheed brake fluid” and specifies that it needs to be orange. I just need to know the modern equivalent. Thanks!

 

For your 1948 Bedford with a Lockheed hydraulic braking system, DOT 3 brake fluid is usually a safe choice. The “Lockheed brake fluid” from the manual is no longer made, but DOT 3 has similar properties and should work fine in older hydraulic systems like yours.

Before using it, make sure to flush out any old fluid if you’re not sure what’s in there, as mixing different types of brake fluid can cause issues. If you're not comfortable, a mechanic who works with vintage vehicles might help to check compatibility.

Hope this helps!