Best PS fluid for cold temps

[Rachael]

Lately, my area has been hovering in the low 20's and teens. The last few cold starts on my truck (the Suburban in my sig), the power steering made a very loud whining noise for about 3 seconds and then died away. The only explanation I can think of is that the 3 year old PS fluid is getting really thick in the cold and not flowing well. What are the best power steering fluids for cold weather? I was going to use my transfer pump and just get everything out of the reservoir and pour new stuff in, if that would help.

My first thought was synthetic power steering fluid, but neither my Autozone nor Walmart had any.

 

[tig1]

A good synt. ATF should work well for you. I use Mobil 1 ATF in mine and have for years. This morning it was +3F and my pump on the Focus was silent as for as any differant noises.

 

[Ken2]

Can you use automatic transmission fluid in your system? If so, there are plenty of syn ATF choices...use the type listed in your owner's manual. Mobil 1 is one good choice.

 

[J_Sap]

Originally Posted By: tig1
A good synt. ATF should work well for you. I use Mobil 1 ATF in mine and have for years. This morning it was +3F and my pump on the Focus was silent as for as any differant noises.


+1 that is the first thing that came to mind. Just make sure that your vehicle can take ATF for PS fluid.

 

[sunfire]

The 98 Suburban specifies PSF.

 

[beast3300]

Valvoline syn-blend Power steering fluid works very well in GM power steering systems.

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

Find an AMSOIL dealer and get their PSF

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: beast3300
Valvoline syn-blend Power steering fluid works very well in GM power steering systems.


Not in my 03 GMC Sierra!!!!!!

Groaned like crazy.., had to suck it out & put in Prestone.

As soon as the normal PSF was in, the groaning went away!!

 

[beast3300]

Originally Posted By: tpitcher
Originally Posted By: beast3300
Valvoline syn-blend Power steering fluid works very well in GM power steering systems.


Not in my 03 GMC Sierra!!!!!!

Groaned like crazy.., had to suck it out & put in Prestone.

As soon as the normal PSF was in, the groaning went away!!



Sounds interesting

 

[xxch4osxx]

I use AMSOIL power steering fluid in my Silverado and it works great.

 

[unDummy]

Amsoil, Redline, RoyalPurple, Pentosin, Neo, Lubegard... have PSFs that should help.

Doesn't GM have a cold weather PSF too?

 

[Audi Junkie]

ATF+4

 

[scurvy]

Whichever potion you choose, please keep in mind that PSF is one of the most neglected fluids in the car. I make a habit to suction out the reservoir on both cars at every oil change and pour in fresh. Not a complete change, but a good portion of the system gets renewed.

AJ, I've read your posts on ATF+4 in the power steering system with interest. My tin of CHF11s is almost done, so please PM me about using +4 in its place.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: beast3300
Originally Posted By: tpitcher
Originally Posted By: beast3300
Valvoline syn-blend Power steering fluid works very well in GM power steering systems.


Not in my 03 GMC Sierra!!!!!!

Groaned like crazy.., had to suck it out & put in Prestone.

As soon as the normal PSF was in, the groaning went away!!



Sounds interesting


Exactly. I could not believe it, but it's true.

 

[Rachael]

All of those fancy fluids sound fine, but I'm really strapped for cash and just want something I can pick up at the store

Is Prestone a good power steering fluid?

Oh yeah, and the owner's manual doesn't say anything about ATF in the power steering system....

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Rachael
All of those fancy fluids sound fine, but I'm really strapped for cash and just want something I can pick up at the store

Is Prestone a good power steering fluid?

Oh yeah, and the owner's manual doesn't say anything about ATF in the power steering system....


I beleive your SUBURBAN takes P/S fluid although I'm not sure if ATF would hurt. I have used Genuine Honda Power Steering fluid in new GM vehicles that experienced "Morning Sickness" and it has quieted down the unit. "Morning Sickness" is a term used by many pertaining to noisy GM P/S units of your generation even when they were new. But, to your question about the Prestone P/S fluid, I also beleive that it is sutable for your vehicle.

 

[charbaby]

Genuine Honda Power Steering Fluid is "argurably" one of the best P/S Fluids in the business and deffinatly needed for Honda Vehicles. But, can be used in other vehicles P/S units that require P/S fluid and I have used it successfully in many other makes/models that required P/S fluid. I am in fact trying it in my daughters Mazda3 without issue. Her Mazda3 has an electric P/S unit that has the typical electric whine. The mix of ATF/Honda Power Steering fluid has changed nothing thus far, good or bad in 16 months. I also use it strictly in my '80 Firebird FORMULA and have for over 20 years.

LubeGard, the makers of many ATF addatives, oil suppliments and P/S fluid/addatives, has a specific Honda Power Steering fluid as-well-as a P/S fluid addative that when added to regular P/S fluid, changes the fluid to Honda Power Steering fluid, or close to it depending on the % of the mix. This is stated on the label of their product. Although the label doesn't mention anything about adding their P/S suppliment to the ATF that is being used as P/S fluid.

 

[J_Sap]

Originally Posted By: Rachael
All of those fancy fluids sound fine, but I'm really strapped for cash and just want something I can pick up at the store

Is Prestone a good power steering fluid?

Oh yeah, and the owner's manual doesn't say anything about ATF in the power steering system....


Well considering the PS fluid in your car is 3 years old almost anything will be an improvement over what you have already. Saying that a synthetic PS will be your best bet to get rid of that noise and it will last a lot longer then the regular PS fluid.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
ATF+4


AJ: I have some ATF+4 on hand and wondered how I would get rid of it. Have you used it as a PSF in a GM (or any other make) successfully?

 

[Rachael]

Well I ended up buying Prestone in the red bottle, I will find out soon if it helped! Like j sap said, anything will be better than what's in there. I am going to drive it today, and then pump the reservoir again tomorrow and refill. That should be good, right?