Best PS fluid for cold temps
- Thread starter Rachael
- Start date
- Status
Rach,
You'll be fine with the Prestone Red Bottle
You'll be fine with the Prestone Red Bottle
I have used Walmart Supertech in my 2001 GMC Sierra. I have not had any problems. I was up in the snow last year for several weeks and didn't notice anything bad. Once a year I remove all the fluid in to reservoir and refill with new fluid. I do not do a complete flush. It seems to help keep my PS system running good. If I had the money I would run Redline PS fluid.
To me the PS fluid is thicker than ATF.
To me the PS fluid is thicker than ATF.
Last edited:
The Dodge truck PS systems have went back and forth between ATF and power steering fluid for 30 years...my 79, 86, and 88 took ATF (Dexron III), my 95 and 99 took power steering fluid (Valvoline worked the best), and my 04.5 uses ATF+4.
The pumps and gear boxes are almost identical between all those years...except that some of the later trucks are gear driven, not belt.
In one case, the 99 was known to pop the drive gear off the PS pump when the fluid was cold (ie. thick)...I ran synthetic power steering fluid, but I know guys who changed to ATF to prevent the issue.
The older GMs share similar boxes and pumps as the dodge in a lot of cases...might be able to interchange power steering fluid and ATF?
The pumps and gear boxes are almost identical between all those years...except that some of the later trucks are gear driven, not belt.
In one case, the 99 was known to pop the drive gear off the PS pump when the fluid was cold (ie. thick)...I ran synthetic power steering fluid, but I know guys who changed to ATF to prevent the issue.
The older GMs share similar boxes and pumps as the dodge in a lot of cases...might be able to interchange power steering fluid and ATF?
Amsoil universal aft is what I use. The coldest I've experienced was 13 degrees. Not much compaired to some. No noise.
Well after putting in the Prestone fluid, haven't heard a peep out of the pump! Just needed new juice I guess.
Originally Posted By: Rachael
Well after putting in the Prestone fluid, haven't heard a peep out of the pump! Just needed new juice I guess.
I had a similar experience with a 03 sunfire. At 60k the OEM fill of PS fluid was toast. A few extractions with a turkey baster, and I pumped in about 2 quarts of fresh walmart supertech fluid.
Not a peep since. The stuff I pulled out of the car was black, you couldn't even see through it.
Well after putting in the Prestone fluid, haven't heard a peep out of the pump! Just needed new juice I guess.
I had a similar experience with a 03 sunfire. At 60k the OEM fill of PS fluid was toast. A few extractions with a turkey baster, and I pumped in about 2 quarts of fresh walmart supertech fluid.
Not a peep since. The stuff I pulled out of the car was black, you couldn't even see through it.
I cannot see any reason not to use ATF+4 is any system. It costs $4 for Supertech.
A bold statement, yes, but plain PSF is the lamest automotive fluid there is. A cold test should be rather telling.
Dex 6 finally go approved for PSF, but ATF+4 is a known quantity for me, trust it. All the extra FMs should be good.
A bold statement, yes, but plain PSF is the lamest automotive fluid there is. A cold test should be rather telling.
Dex 6 finally go approved for PSF, but ATF+4 is a known quantity for me, trust it. All the extra FMs should be good.
just as an anecdote, about 10 years ago I worked as a mechanic in three different shops, one was high end european (from VW up to Lambo and Porsche) private owned, one was a ghetto gas station, and one was a buick/pontiac/GMC GM dealership. We used the same ATF for the trans as the PS pumps (from the same drum) without exception. No probs that I know of.
Originally Posted By: Rachael
Well after putting in the Prestone fluid, haven't heard a peep out of the pump! Just needed new juice I guess.
Good to hear it just needed new fluid. Looks like new PS fluid every 3 years or less will keep your car happy.
Well after putting in the Prestone fluid, haven't heard a peep out of the pump! Just needed new juice I guess.
Good to hear it just needed new fluid. Looks like new PS fluid every 3 years or less will keep your car happy.
Originally Posted By: Rachael
Well after putting in the Prestone fluid, haven't heard a peep out of the pump! Just needed new juice I guess.
Glad to hear it worked. If down the road you feel the need to go with a synthetic, I've had really go luck with Redline PSF in my GM cars.
Well after putting in the Prestone fluid, haven't heard a peep out of the pump! Just needed new juice I guess.
Glad to hear it worked. If down the road you feel the need to go with a synthetic, I've had really go luck with Redline PSF in my GM cars.
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
I cannot see any reason not to use ATF+4 is any system. It costs $4 for Supertech.
A bold statement, yes, but plain PSF is the lamest automotive fluid there is. A cold test should be rather telling.
Dex 6 finally go approved for PSF, but ATF+4 is a known quantity for me, trust it. All the extra FMs should be good.
My ford vehicles specify ATF in the power steering pump. A switch to Mercon V or ATF+4 works wonders in cars with noisy pumps.
However, I have a 2003 GM that specifies "power steering fluid" in the pump, so I'm sticking with what the book says. I don't know if it will cause any problem with existing fluid to change to ATF.
I cannot see any reason not to use ATF+4 is any system. It costs $4 for Supertech.
A bold statement, yes, but plain PSF is the lamest automotive fluid there is. A cold test should be rather telling.
Dex 6 finally go approved for PSF, but ATF+4 is a known quantity for me, trust it. All the extra FMs should be good.
My ford vehicles specify ATF in the power steering pump. A switch to Mercon V or ATF+4 works wonders in cars with noisy pumps.
However, I have a 2003 GM that specifies "power steering fluid" in the pump, so I'm sticking with what the book says. I don't know if it will cause any problem with existing fluid to change to ATF.
- Status
Similar threads
