ATF=P/S FLUID?

[IMAGINEER]

I have been using ATF for P/S fluid my entire life in GM saginaw type powersteering systems. Some say it is ok some say it is not. I have never had any trouble but I would like to know.

What is the difference between ATF and Power steering fluid?

Thanks.

 

[widman]

I put the ATF (a good Dexron III) in everything that comes in. No power steering specific product in the whole country.

 

[PandaBear]

Except Honda PS which is a higher visc than typical, and have additional AW and detergents, I agree with widman that you can use any ATF in PS.

 

[Quest]

I used Mobil 1 ATF on my wifey's 93 camry 3VZ-FE camry power steering fluid and it whined. I used a turkey baster to suck out all the ATF and then replaced it with Castrol power steering fluid and the whining is all but gone.

So much for substituting Dexron/Mecron III for Toy power steering fluid...

Q.

 

[JonnyHotcakes]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Except Honda PS which is a higher visc than typical, and have additional AW and detergents, I agree with widman that you can use any ATF in PS.


Can the Honda fluid be used in other systems?

 

[AzFireGuy79]

THats strange that your camry didnt like the ATF. Pretty much every new toyota comes with ATF installed and it is listed in the manual. I asked why it was clear and a tech told me that the ATF they get for P/S systems does not have the red added?? Never heard of that but my 06 camry loves RedLine ATF!

In honda I have only ever used Honda/Acura spec fluid.

 

[chevrofreak]

I flushed my system and used Supertech ATF in my reservoir the other day. Seems to work just fine, and from what I understand Fords are meant to use it.

 

[Boomer]

Nissans use ATF as well. My local dealer does not stock Nissan PS fluid but just uses Mobil 1 ATF. Works great!

 

[artificialist]

NAPA brand "Honda approved PSF" states that it is also suitable for use in GM, Ford, and Chrysler products that use regular PSF.

 

[meep]

Originally Posted By: widman
I put the ATF (a good Dexron III) in everything that comes in. No power steering specific product in the whole country.


NOT TRUE.

Honda's require unique additives. That's been discussed here at length.

Dump ATF in a DMC PS and it will buzz and shudder and the wheel will buzz in your hands. I own the T-shirt, because I too used to think the same. Had to do full flush with PS fluid for it to behave.

M

 

[mechtech2]

I have learned that Honda's should use their proprietary PS fluid.
But for almost anything else, PS fluid and ATF are virtually the same. The red coloring is an additive. And like mentioned^^, many cars COME with ATF in the PS systems.

 

[chevrofreak]

I finished off an old bottle (probably 5 years) of Supertech power steering fluid that was almost completely water clear with a very slight blue-green tint to it. Is Group II oil that clear?

 

[VK56VD]

I've read on another forum before that power steering fluid is ATF w/o the red dye.

 

[chevrofreak]

The Supertech brand ATF is the same price as their Power Steering Fluid. $2.77 per quart

 

[artificialist]

In new Toyota products, that is true.

 

[tdi-rick]

Originally Posted By: meep
Originally Posted By: widman
I put the ATF (a good Dexron III) in everything that comes in. No power steering specific product in the whole country.


NOT TRUE.

Honda's require unique additives. That's been discussed here at length.

Dump ATF in a DMC PS and it will buzz and shudder and the wheel will buzz in your hands. I own the T-shirt, because I too used to think the same. Had to do full flush with PS fluid for it to behave.

M


Widman isn't in the US. This is a world wide board, remember

 

[MolaKule]

Here's a similar thread:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/synthetic-power-steering-fluid-whered-it-go.93026/

Chrysler and Honda fluids do not have the red dye, are slightly amber (but clear) and are higher in viscosity than Dexron VI and most other ATF's.

Honda's additive package is different from all others.

AS others have stated, Ford, GM and the imports (except of course for Honda) all use ATF in their Power Steering systems so for these vehicles, PS = ATF.

And Honda Z1 ATF does not = Honda Power Steering Fluid.

 

[wgtoys]

In the UK the Honda Power Steering fluid cross references to the same fluid which is used in the forks of certain motorcycles.

Just a fun fact .

To the original question, many vehicles specify ATF as the P/S fluid right in the owner's manual. YMMV.

 

[IMAGINEER]

Thanks for the info. I decided to try out the Royal purple Max easy in my steering system. It is in a rock buggy with full hydraulic steering, and a hopped up pump. The only thing I noticed that was differnt from conventional ATF was the Full synth. fluid did not foam as much when I first filled the system. In the past it would take 12 hours or so of rest for all the bubbles to work out of the fluid.

-Lucas

 

[meep]

Ooooooh...