Service advisor did not like ATF in P/S system.

[mrsilv04]

Just thought I'd pass this gem along.

I've had a noisy power steering pump in my pickup. The truck was under extended warranty, and I'd complained to the dealer, but they refused to replace the pump under warranty. The response was that it 'works' just fine... learn to ignore the noise.

They did replace the P/S rack because of seepage from a bad seal, but the noisy pump continued.

I eventually replaced the fluid with Mobil 1 ATF, and the pump quieted down considerably.

Before the warranty expired, I thought I'd give getting the pump replaced one more try. I complained one more time about the steering on the truck.

I guess they'd had enough of my complaining, because the dealer replaced the P/S rack (again), the P/S pump (finally), and for good measure... put an intermediate shaft on it as well (which it didn't even need).

But the kicker was the lecture that I got from the service advisor about putting ATF in the power steering system. He stated that using ATF in the P/S system was acceptable "in the past", but not anymore.

However, the Mobil 1 ATF had quieted down the noisy pump that he'd earlier refused to replace.

Maybe that was why they felt the need to replace the pump and the rack as well... did they feel that the system had been "contaminated" by the Mobil 1 ATF?

 

[bepperb]

What does it call for? I still see DEX 3 on the cap in our Toyota.

 

[sunfire]

I fully flushed my Corolla's PS with Dexron VI over a year ago. Nothing has blown up yet.

 

[gathermewool]

Subaru ATF Type-HP with a backup of Dex 3 for my Subie.

Dexron 6 isn't specified for PS use, AFAIK.

 

[MegaCorp]

Most companies recommed power steering fluid for the PS system

 

[KrisZ]

How did they know there was M1 in the system, if you told them and it was against manufacturer's recommendation, they would've voided the warranty and not replaced the pump at all.

Check your owner's manual not advisor's opinion for matters like that.

 

[bigmike]

I don't use ATF. I know I might catch some flack for it, but I use GM power steering fluid in my truck. It's a bit more money than ATF, but it's the right fluid specified in the manual. A quart runs about $7.

 

[tinmanSC]

What kinda truck was this?

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: MegaCorp
Most companies recommed power steering fluid for the PS system


I wouldn't say most.

Ford (and apparently Toyota) call for ATF in their PS systems. I'm sure there are many others.

OP: Mobil 1 ATF has been excellent in my PS systems as well.

 

[K20FA5]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool

Dexron 6 isn't specified for PS use, AFAIK.


From the manual for my Frontier.

Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent.*3

*3: DEXRON™ VI type ATF or Canada NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid may also be used.

Nissan doesn't seem to have a problem using it? It's what I was planning on using too.

 

[sunfire]

PSF and ATF is just fancy hydraulic fluid.

 

[Spazdog]

Was it a Ridgeline?

'Cause then he has reason to say that.

Maybe if it's an Audi Q7 or something... Audis used Pentosin Hydraulic fluid at one point in time. They may still specify that. I honestly don't know what Audi specifies now.

But otherwise it looks like another case where the "Service Advisor" is more salesman than experienced auto repair advisor.

 

[mechtech2]

HOnda had many cars that had to use their proprietary fluid.
There may be others.
But in general, ATF and PS fluid are virtually the same.

 

[dparm]

Follow the mfg recommendation. ATF and PS are similar but are not identical. Additives are different. They're both hydraulic oils in the end so I doubt it will harm it for temporary fixes or short-term.

 

[Tempest]

I've put Amsoil ATF in 4 different cars (3 makes) and had no problems with PS systems.

 

[musicmanbass]

Mercon recommended for both my Lincolns. Castrol Merc V is what's in 'em now.

 

[ABomb369]

Originally Posted By: K20FA5
Originally Posted By: gathermewool

Dexron 6 isn't specified for PS use, AFAIK.


From the manual for my Frontier.

Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent.*3

*3: DEXRON™ VI type ATF or Canada NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid may also be used.

Nissan doesn't seem to have a problem using it? It's what I was planning on using too.


I think this is interesting as GM says it is not acceptable in PS systems. Especially those that used to call for DexIII and that the GM power steering fluid is to be used as the replacement.

 

[UncleS2]

For my '02 Dodge Dakota, both the owner's manual & the Factory Service Manual specify ATF+4 for the power steering.

 

[hooligan24]

so how long ago was it ok to use ATF in the PS system according to the tech? My 05 dodge manual recommends ATF4 in my system. I assume most, if not all Chrysler passnger cars recommend ATF4 in their systems.

I currently use Redline C+ATF in mine.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: ABomb369
Originally Posted By: K20FA5
Originally Posted By: gathermewool

Dexron 6 isn't specified for PS use, AFAIK.


From the manual for my Frontier.

Genuine NISSAN power steering fluid or equivalent.*3

*3: DEXRON™ VI type ATF or Canada NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid may also be used.


Nissan doesn't seem to have a problem using it? It's what I was planning on using too.


I think this is interesting as GM says it is not acceptable in PS systems. Especially those that used to call for DexIII and that the GM power steering fluid is to be used as the replacement.


Dexron VI is thinner than most power steering fluid and Dex III by a few cSt, right? I always figured the recommendation AGAINST using Dexron VI as a power steering fluid was for this reason; that maybe it didn't have the viscosity to pump properly. Maybe it was more of a pumping problem than a wear issues.

Either way, I asked Subaru of America about power steering fluid in both my old 97 Legacy and my new Impreza and they said not to use Dexron VI. The manual for my new Subie says to use their atf or Dex III as a substitution.