Power Steering Fluid Choice

[firemediceric]

Is STP Power Steering fluid a good choice for my Mercedes and Ford?

Here's the backround:
My '81 Mercedes calls for Dexron/Mercon ATF in the power steering. There have been many reports about the new formulations causing the seals in the old Mercedes to fail. The general concensus among the old Mercedes gurus is to use a product labled just for power steering and not ATF. From all the reading I have done on Mercedes sites, using today's ATF is a gamble, but using Power Steering fluid is sure not to cause problems.

I contacted STP and was told that their Power Steering fluid will not harm the Mercedes or my '99 F-350. Of course, the owner's manual of the F-350 calls for ATF, but once again, the ATF from '99 is different from todays stuff.

To keep things simple, I would like to use the same fluid in both vehicles.

What do you think?

 

[Tempest]

Run an Auto Rx cycle on the PS units. That will help to clean and hopefully rejuvenate the seals. Run 2 cycles if the fluid gets dirty on the first run. Then onto MaxLife ATF for the units. I use Amsoil ATF in my PS units and am very happy.

 

[unDummy]

The ATF isn't much different. Don't believe the hearsay.
Seals are failing because of years of neglect, and the fact that they are simply old.

If you can use ATF, an easy choice to help condition the seals would be a high mileage ATF, or any of the synthetic ATFs.

If PSF is your choice, Redline, Valvoline, RoyalPurple, have good products.

 

[firemediceric]

Quote:

---

If PSF is your choice, Redline, Valvoline, RoyalPurple, have good products.

---

So Power Steering fluid will work just fine, although the ATF of today will also work?