PS fluid in transmission?

[joaks]

Simple question: can I put power steering fluid in my automatic transmission?

I had a trans cooler installed and it is leaking FAST. I have some PS fluid I could refill with to drive back to the place that did the install. If not, I will go someplace closer.

 

[Darren270]

No.

 

[GreeCguy]

At the risk of sounding like a total turn coat, do not pour power steering fluid in your tranny.

 

[joaks]

okay, thanks guys. I know you can usually use ATF fluid for PS fluid which is why I asked.

 

[yonyon]

Why not call the shop who did the install and ask them to bring you some ATF or better yet, a wrecker?

 

[GreeCguy]

And don't drive it low on fluid either - that's really bad, even worse than using the power steering fluid. Get a buddy or neighbor to give you a ride to a local parts store and buy a couple of quarts to get you to the repair shop, then present them with the bill for however many quarts you had to buy.

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: joaks
okay, thanks guys. I know you can usually use ATF fluid for PS fluid which is why I asked.


Umm yeah if it is dual rated. For example, Chrysler uses ATF +4 in its trans' and also uses ATF +4 for its power steering system. It isn't a situation where a type of power steering is used, but hey if you can't find it ATF +4 is suitable.

 

[ahoier]

yea this is a dodge/chrysler thing only I think

[censored], even at my local WM, I see they now got a whole slew of power steering fluids available, Prestone brand, "For Asian" (KIA, Hyundai, etc...) and then a "for Honda/Acura" fluid....and then their generic yellow Prestone 12 oz. bottle I guess "for all the others" lol....

Dodge/Chrysler, and the "imports" appear to be the most picky...noticed that when I had my KIAs....they spec their own power steering brand...but it always had me curious....did they SERIOUSLY "reinvent" the wheel and create a power steering system that "knows" only their fluid? :eye roll:

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: joaks
okay, thanks guys. I know you can usually use ATF fluid for PS fluid which is why I asked.

Transmission fluid has additives that PSF doesn't have. That is why it doesn't work in a transmission.
In the right power steering system, ATF is okay, certain additives simply do nothing in the power steering system.

Certain Asian car companies are not the only ones using special PSF. Many European cars take something special as well.

 

[TechnoLoGs]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: joaks
okay, thanks guys. I know you can usually use ATF fluid for PS fluid which is why I asked.

Transmission fluid has additives that PSF doesn't have. That is why it doesn't work in a transmission.
In the right power steering system, ATF is okay, certain additives simply do nothing in the power steering system.

Certain Asian car companies are not the only ones using special PSF. Many European cars take something special as well.


You can use Mercedes-Benz CHF 11S in cars like, oh, say, Volvos.