Safe to use Maxlife ATF as PS fluid?

[3800Series]

So I want to change the PS fluid in my 95 regal however I don't really feel like ordering the fluid online. I don't know the part number off the top of my head but it says GM # or equivalent.

I have about 2 quarts of Maxlife Multi-Vehicle ATF fluid left from when I dropped my pan and changed it.

Is it safe to use the Maxlife ATF as PS fluid or should I just go buy a generic PS from the market?

Either way works fine with me I just have this stuff laying around. I've always used AFT as PS fluid but I have a bad habit of babying this car.

 

[BTW]

What does the manual call for, Dextron III? I use Maxlife ATF in our E46 BMW PS with no issues....

 

[3800Series]

It just says GM PS fluid parts # or equivalent.

 

[901Memphis]

Yes you can use Maxlife in Gm systems calling for PSF. I use Maxlife myself in my Buick Century and I've seen plenty of others use it too in other threads. It made some weird noises at first doing suck and fills when it was mixed but after it was all flushed out it was just the same as the regular stuff. If I was going to convert again I'd probably do a line disconnect so it got flushed faster.

 

[901Memphis]

Also just to add to the discussion many fluids claim meeting the GM part number including Prestone power steering fluid which I use with good results before switching to atf

 

[Phishin]

I use Maxlife in my 1990 K1500 truck...tranny and PS system.

 

[3800Series]

Thank you everyone for your help.

 

[ryanschillinger]

I've used maxlife in ps on several cars. Including my 67 f250. All with good results. Wouldn't put it in my Honda though, its fluid comes from the dealer.

 

[Farmer]

I would say it would be fine. I'm using it currently in a '97 GMC 3500 Workvan. No issues seems to smoothen it out since it had little to no fluid in the resivior.

 

[3800Series]

Well it's done, I was only able to get maybe 3/4th of a quart out using the turkey baster. That was some black crude oil looking PS fluid. It chirped (for lack of a better word) when I filled it back up. Spent about 5 mins turning the wheel back and forth and I feel I got a good bit of air out. Still going to keep a eye on it for a while.

Its not my DD so I don't use it a lot. Going to put 100 or so miles on it and do it once more and call it a day. Figured as good of time as any and drained the oil as well.

Let's see how the 3.8 handles the Mobil Clean 5000.

Thank you all for the advise as well. I have a bad habit of babying the car as my DD (2001 Chevy 1500 has 370k) and its been acting up the last 50k or so miles.

 

[ryanschillinger]

Might do the reservoir suck and fill like 5x. Seems like you gotta do it quite a few times before it starts coming out clean.

 

[stchman]

This appears to be an endless debate if ATF can be used in GM power steering pumps that call for power steering fluid.

I would imagine that if GM could have used ATF in their power steering pumps they would have as to not have to stock a different fluid.

With this being said would it work, probably, but who knows the long term impact.

 

[Turk]

Great! Do 1-2-3 more suck-outs & refills.

I use ATF in all my GM's for 20+ years. All is well.

 

[wirelessF]

GM truck power steering setups are "dumb", run whatever hydraulic fluid in there (as long it does not harm the seals) and it will still work.

I use Maxlife in all the PS systems I service, except for some of the ones call for exotic fluid cuz MB and VAG has to be sooo special.