Workshops, clubs and home mechanics who bleed Shimano brakes regularly or look after several bikes.
This is Shimano Hydraulic Mineral Oil in the big 1 litre bottle, the fluid Shimano specifies for its hydraulic disc brakes. Use it for full bleeds, topping up after a hose shortening, or fitting new brakes.
Mineral oil is friendlier to work with than DOT fluid. It doesn't absorb water from the air, so an opened bottle keeps well when the cap is closed, and it won't strip paint if you spill a drop.
One important check: Shimano's newest XTR and XT brakes, including M9200, M9220, M8200, M8220 and MT805 models, use the new LV Mineral Oil. The two fluids must not be mixed, so confirm which one your brakes need before bleeding.
Genuine Shimano oil
The fluid Shimano specifies for its disc brakes.
1 litre bottle
Plenty for many full bleeds.
Easy to handle
Doesn't absorb water or damage paint.
Know your fluid
Not for LV Mineral Oil or DOT brakes.
Fluid
Compatibility
Mineral oil
Unlike DOT fluid, mineral oil doesn't absorb water from the air and isn't corrosive to paint, so it's easier to handle and store.
Great for
Maybe not for
Check your lever or caliper, or its manual, for the fluid type. Never mix standard Shimano mineral oil with LV Mineral Oil or DOT fluid. You'll need a Shimano bleed kit (funnel, bleed cup and syringe or bag) to do a bleed.
Bleed from the bottom up
Push fresh oil in at the caliper and out through the lever funnel so air bubbles travel up and out. Flick the hose and pump the lever gently until no more bubbles appear, then cap it off.
Keep it off the pads
Mineral oil on pads or rotors ruins braking. Pull the pads out before you bleed, fit a bleed block, and clean the rotor with isopropyl alcohol if anything drips.
