another question regarding PSF vs ATF. multi compatible fluids and etc.

[91camarosRS]

so at the risk of beating a dead horse....

I've searched and have seen a lot of info, but beating around my question/situation.

my Subaru. the manual says to use ATF in the power steering if its an automatic, but PSF if its a manual. so, my guess to this is to avoid multiple fluids in a shop or home as the pump has no difference for manual or automatic. so if i want fluid, i should be able to use either, and/or get a PSF that works with "any" fluid, such as the lubegard PSF it has in it now.

that's one "issue" down.

But now i want to replace fluid in our 2000 4runner. it calls for ATF. Shure, i can go get some maxlife atf and continue but here goes the overthinking......
looking at redlines offerings, they suggest their atf, I believe D4. cool, and out of curiosity, i look at the PSF offerings and see that it is compatible with DEX 3 which should also work. which one should one go with?


so, if there are so many PSF products that are compatible with DEXIII, why should one put one fluid or another?

help me stop the overthinking! it would be nice to just have one container of Lubegard or redline psf for all my vehicles.

 

[bdcardinal]

It is just being used as a hydraulic fluid. There aren't any frictions to worry about like in a transmission. Just as long as it isn't some goofball fluid that doesn't play nice with whatever that manufacturer uses for seals, you should be good.

 

[Johnny248]

As a matter of fact, Both BG and Wynns use the same exact fluid for systems with ATF and PSF. One is dyed red, to match what was in it. The other is clear/gold. Same fluid otherwise.

 

[wlk]

so at the risk of beating a dead horse....

I've searched and have seen a lot of info, but beating around my question/situation.

my Subaru. the manual says to use ATF in the power steering if its an automatic, but PSF if its a manual. so, my guess to this is to avoid multiple fluids in a shop or home as the pump has no difference for manual or automatic. so if i want fluid, i should be able to use either, and/or get a PSF that works with "any" fluid, such as the lubegard PSF it has in it now.

that's one "issue" down.

But now i want to replace fluid in our 2000 4runner. it calls for ATF. Shure, i can go get some maxlife atf and continue but here goes the overthinking......
looking at redlines offerings, they suggest their atf, I believe D4. cool, and out of curiosity, i look at the PSF offerings and see that it is compatible with DEX 3 which should also work. which one should one go with?


so, if there are so many PSF products that are compatible with DEXIII, why should one put one fluid or another?

help me stop the overthinking! it would be nice to just have one container of Lubegard or redline psf for all my vehicles.

Nothing wrong with Lubegard ps fluid, I have it in my kids 04 Chevy 1500, my 94 F350 and my Honda(Honda version). Actually the Honda version is smoother in the Honda than Honda brand ps fluid.
If you want atf use M1 ATF it is very good fluid in ps and transmissions calling for Dex3.

 

[91camarosRS]

So it sounds like I could just stock a bottle or two of the Lubeguard at my house for my cars? I have no Hondas.

or maybe redline?(my Camaro has it as its regarded to hold up to the heat better for an autocross car)

 

[Toy4x4]

In my '93 Toyota p/u, the PS pump would get overheated and the seals would go (so I was told). Had it rebuilt twice in the first ~110k (?) due to leaks. Found this site in '02, read up on synthetics and switched the ATF out to Redline D4. Wow! I actually had to adjust the way I turned the wheel as it was much easier and over the next 95k and 10 years, not a problem or a leak. Every once and a while I'd suction out the reservoir and replace. I did/do the same for the current '07 4Runner. No problems. I'm sure the M1 equivalent would be just fine, and less expensive.

 

[nthach]

Unless specified, I use MaxLife or Red Line D4 ATF for PSF. Honda, GM and Mopar are exceptions to the rule - so is Euro stuff unless it calls for ATF.

Supposedly, Honda fluid fixes morning sickness and makes things a little nicer in systems calling for PSF. Car Care Nut uses Idemitsu PSF in everything.