ATF vs P/S fluid....

[Johnny248]

Most of the vehicles I see these days have Red power steering fluid (GM's excluded) Some manufactures recommend using "Brand Power Steering Fluid" and then says ATFxxx can be used if you can not find the power steering fluid. At some point,Chrysler replaced P/S Fluid with ATF+4 and superceeded it for all vehicles.

Is there an advantage one way vs the other for use ATF or PowerSteering fluid in a vehicle?

Any side effects for the friction modifiers and additives that are in todays latest ATF's in a p/s?

If you had the choice of runninga premium syn ATF vs a premium syn p/s fluid, which would you chose?

 

[tig1]

Have been using Mobil 1 ATF for 15-20 years with no failures in PS pumps. Great for very cold temps.

 

[Trav]

Really it depend on the car.On cars that recommend either i usually use a good synthetic transmission fluid like M1,Amsoil,RL.
On cars like Honda that have special wishes i go OEM,Amsoil,RL PS fluid.

 

[StevieC]

My Hyundai calls for PSF-3 but the dealer uses Transmission fluid. I use Amsoil Power Steering Fluid and it makes the steering like butter.

 

[mechtech2]

I have not seen a difference in real life.
[PS or ATF]
But a Full Synthetic is smart for best performance in cold and hot conditions.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Have been using Mobil 1 ATF for 15-20 years with no failures in PS pumps. Great for very cold temps.


Same here.

 

[Johnny248]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
My Hyundai calls for PSF-3 but the dealer uses Transmission fluid. I use Amsoil Power Steering Fluid and it makes the steering like butter.



But what exactly is PSF-3? I'm pretty sure that is like Atf+3 or Diaqueen ATF

 

[gogozy]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
I have not seen a difference in real life.
[PS or ATF]
But a Full Synthetic is smart for best performance in cold and hot conditions.


does the same rule apply for Honda?
i want to know because power steering factory fill fluid looks reddish, but the parts guys say not to use ATF-Z1 in power steering for my honda..

 

[sciphi]

Z-1 ATF is purplish-red.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: Johnny248
Originally Posted By: StevieC
My Hyundai calls for PSF-3 but the dealer uses Transmission fluid. I use Amsoil Power Steering Fluid and it makes the steering like butter.



But what exactly is PSF-3? I'm pretty sure that is like Atf+3 or Diaqueen ATF
I dunno and neither does the dealer so I use Amsoil instead of the ATF they recommended.

 

[Gary Allan]

I use Amsoil ATF in all my PS applications. M1 would be no different. It's hard to recommend it though with a specific synthetic PS fluid available.

I think the whole evolution to specific PS fluid was for packaging/profit's sake. I don't see any advantage of a PS fluid over ATF other than it should be cheaper to make and that you rarely need a quart of fluid to top up.

For all I know it could be the same (mostly clear) plain old hydraulic fluid.

 

[Johnny248]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Originally Posted By: Johnny248
Originally Posted By: StevieC
My Hyundai calls for PSF-3 but the dealer uses Transmission fluid. I use Amsoil Power Steering Fluid and it makes the steering like butter.



But what exactly is PSF-3? I'm pretty sure that is like Atf+3 or Diaqueen ATF
I dunno and neither does the dealer so I use Amsoil instead of the ATF they recommended.


I have Amsoil ATF in there right now.. Is the power steering fluid they sell clear?

 

[StevieC]

No it's a brownish colour.

 

[StevieC]

No it's a brownish colour after it has been in for a couple of days but starts out red in the bottle. (Not because it's mixed with other stuff that is old, but because it looses the dye quickly)

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: gogozy


does the same rule apply for Honda?
i want to know because power steering factory fill fluid looks reddish, but the parts guys say not to use ATF-Z1 in power steering for my honda..


From what I found in MSDS in 3rd party for Honda fluid, Honda Power Steering Fluid is thicker than ATF, and has a dose of ZDDP and other detergents in there.

I wouldn't use ATF-Z1 because it might not have the same additive amount. Honda Power Steering Fluid isn't expensive, they are only $4 per 12oz bottle from my dealer (need 2 to flush the system).

 

[AdRock]

I've always used ATF for the PS. Except on Hondas.

 

[Ben99GT]

I've been using Redline D4 in my power steering systems for the last couple of years, works like a charm. Previously used primarily M1 with a trial or two of Motorcraft Mercon V.

 

[dailydriver]

^^^^^^^
Now you've got me wondering if there is any difference between D4 and their P.S. fluid (what I use)??

 

[gogozy]

i also see that PS hose have different spec than ATF hose. at least they are not the same hose when i asked.. does this also mean atf/PS are still different?

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: gogozy
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
I have not seen a difference in real life.
[PS or ATF]
But a Full Synthetic is smart for best performance in cold and hot conditions.


does the same rule apply for Honda?
i want to know because power steering factory fill fluid looks reddish, but the parts guys say not to use ATF-Z1 in power steering for my honda..


Older Hondas for sure needed their own PS fluid.
This is not so important anymore.
but good of you to remember this!