What power steering fluid do you use?

Chris142 said:
The dealer originally sent me ATF+4 and the pump screamed. Put the prestone stuff in it and it's been fine for over 100000 miles
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OK. Well I guess that means Prestone PSF is better than ATF+4 for your Jeep power steering. Oreilly Master Pro (house brand) PSF is made by Prestone. So it's really just Prestone PSF.

I used to use a Valvoline synthetic ATF in one of my Jeeps with good results. Lucas ATF in another with good results.

However, I now know more. Today I'd run Idemitsu, Amsoil, or Red Line PSF in a Jeep, especially if it has larger than stock tires. Probably Amsoil.
 
I have been using ATF or whatever PS fluid is on the shelf......I think Prestone in the yellow bottle.
 
Carlostrece said:
Honda oils are made by Idemitsu.

So if you buy Idemitsu power steering fluid you're getting the same thing as Honda Power Steering Fluid, but Idemitsu name costs less than Honda name. Idemitsu power steering fluid is $4.39 per 12 oz bottle at Rock Auto. I bought some last week from Rockauto for a CR-V. Idemitsu power steering fluid is less $ per ounce than Honda Power Steering Fluid, and way less $ than inferior Oreilly Master Pro power steering fluid for Honda.

Idemitsu also makes Honda brand motor oil. I think Idemitsu also makes Honda ATF. When I buy Honda ATF for CR-V it will be Idemitsu ATF from Rock Auto.
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I'm not sure that it is that simple. Unless there is a fluid analysis that points to the fact that the Honda Power Steering Fluid and Idemitsu power steering fluid are identical, I would not make that conclusion. Many other examples where a similar logic is not true.

With regards to Honda ATF fluid DW-1. Common knowledge that Idemitsu makes the fluid for Honda, per Honda's specifications.
Idemitsu also markets their own version of DW-1 branded fluid. Many posts here on BITOG that they are chemically quite different.
So anyone buying the Idemitsu branded DW-1 thinking that they are getting the Honda fluid would be quite mistaken.

Denso makes air filters for Toyota per Toyota's specs. They also make aftermarket versions for Toyota cars under their "First Fit" line. Cursory inspection would show that the quality of the two are definitely not the same. Just that the aftermarket Denso is built to a lower price point and so lower quality (less number of pleats, thinner material). Not saying that there would be any harm by using the Denso product, but not the same as OEM, for sure. Just saying.
Personally, for my Odyssey, I have not strayed from OEM ATF/power steering fluid products.

Plus, to the best of my knowledge, Honda has never endorsed any other brand fluid as 'equivalent' or 'compatible' with their brand of ATF or power steering fluid fluid.
 
burbguy82 said:
I have been using ATF or whatever PS fluid is on the shelf......I think Prestone in the yellow bottle.
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That used to be my approach as well and it worked fine until I had a Jeep with oversize tires which stressed the power steering. Suddenly my choice of power steering fluid mattered.

Now with my Buick, it matters because the power steering seems to be its achilles heel. It was very unhappy using old AC Delco power steering fluid. It improved a lot after a flush and refill with new AC Delco power steering fluid, but was still somewhat whiny and moany. New Lucas power steering fluid offered more improvement, but still not perfect. Now the Lucas is 14 years old and it's getting worse.

This time I research power steering fluid and various brands more carefully. For my Buick: Idemitsu, Amsoil, and Red Line all look excellent in their specs in data sheets. I expect good results from any of those. Idemitsu costs the least of those 3 and actually has the best specs.

Then there's my neighbor's Honda. It needs Honda Power Steering Fluid specifically. Well Honda Power Steering Fluid is made by Idemitsu. They're the same power steering fluid. A 12 oz bottle of Idemitsu power steering fluid costs $4.39 at Rock Auto, which is $1 less than same size bottle of Honda Power Steering Fluid from Honda dealership.

My other neighbor's Hyundai is not finicky about power steering fluid. It works fine with any brand of Asian approved power steering fluid.

Some cars aren't finicky about power steering fluid. Some are. My Buick seems to be finicky in that it needs fresh top tier power steering fluid to be happy. All Hondas are reputed to be finicky in that they're reputed to need Honda or Idemitsu power steering fluid.

Jeeps aren't finicky with stock size tires, but with oversize tires they need top tier power steering fluid. Ideally of a thick enough viscosity, which means any of the following: Idemitsu (it aint just for Hondas), Amsoil, Red Line, or Lucas. Lucas power steering fluid is actually good stuff if you live in a moderate or hot climate where temps are don't get too frigid. However, the other 3 I mentioned are good in any climate.

What I just said above applies to Asian and American cars (which like thicker power steering fluid, especially highend thick stuff). At least it applies if you have a finicky car or just care about your car a lot. If your car is not finicky and/or you don't care, then use whatever.

European cars are a different animal because they like good quality thinner viscosity power steering fluid, such as Pentosin or Lubeguard Complete.

Valvoline synthetic power steering fluid took a middle approach with a high quality medium viscosity power steering fluid that probably works adequately for anything, though not ideal for anything. It's the jack of all trades power steering fluid that's reasonably good for almost anything, but not ideal for anything.

I used Valvoline in a Jeep that had stock size tires and it was fine in that application.

It's also worth noting that (unlike motor oils) there are a lot of brands of low quality power steering fluid. The worst often don't have a data sheet to look at. Some do and they will make you cringe if you read it. Oreilly Master Pro (house brand made by Prestone) is one such example, especially if you have a Honda, but really for anything else too. I assume Prestone power steering fluid is that same cring worthy stuff. Read the data sheet and compare to other brands data sheets. You'll see signifigant differences.
 
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samiamz said:
I'm not sure that it is that simple. Unless there is a fluid analysis that points to the fact that the Honda Power Steering Fluid and Idemitsu power steering fluid are identical, I would not make that conclusion. Many other examples where a similar logic is not true.

With regards to Honda ATF fluid DW-1. Common knowledge that Idemitsu makes the fluid for Honda, per Honda's specifications.
Idemitsu also markets their own version of DW-1 branded fluid. Many posts here on BITOG that they are chemically quite different.
So anyone buying the Idemitsu branded DW-1 thinking that they are getting the Honda fluid would be quite mistaken.

Denso makes air filters for Toyota per Toyota's specs. They also make aftermarket versions for Toyota cars under their "First Fit" line. Cursory inspection would show that the quality of the two are definitely not the same. Just that the aftermarket Denso is built to a lower price point and so lower quality (less number of pleats, thinner material). Not saying that there would be any harm by using the Denso product, but not the same as OEM, for sure. Just saying.
Personally, for my Odyssey, I have not strayed from OEM ATF/power steering fluid products.

Plus, to the best of my knowledge, Honda has never endorsed any other brand fluid as 'equivalent' or 'compatible' with their brand of ATF or power steering fluid fluid.
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I joined an international Honda CR-V forum 2 weeks ago to get detailed info about Honda CR-V. At that forum they say you can use Honda or Idemitsu power steering fluid, but only those 2. They said it's the same oil. If it's not the same, it must be close enough because many of the members at that forum are using Idemitsu with no problems and are recommending it.

I did not read the data sheet for Honda Power Steering Fluid. I didn't look for one after being told Idemitsu power steering fluid is the same. However, I did read Idemitsu power steering fluid data sheet and was very impressed. It has the best specs I've seen. Even better than Amsoil power steering fluid and Red Line power steering fluid.

If you can get a data sheet for Honda Power Steering Fluid, please post it in a new thread. Then I will post the data sheet for Idemitsu power steering fluid. Then we can compare. We could have a fun and informative thread about the comparison and topic.

That said, I am confident using Idemitsu power steering fluid in a CR-V because many CR-V owners all over the world are using Idemitsu with no problems and are recommending it.
 
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I hate that I have to buy specific power steering fluid as like with coolant/antifreeze. IMO it's a 'dumb' hydraulic system but some OEM systems are picky with fluids.

Redline PSF for GM products. Something about hydroboost brake boosters not liking ATF.
Honda Power Steering Fluid for Hondas.
CHF fluid for the German stuff.
Maxlife ATF in vehicles that call for ATF.
 
IndyIan said:
It seems my cars with hydraulic power steering are all beaters, so once I ran out of old ford transmission fluid from the 90's, I just put in whatever tractor fluid is handy. The pail of Petro Canada duratran has a couple litres left so that's what I used last time in Focus. Probably a bit higher in viscosity than is ideal at -30C, but that's a rare event for me. No noises, or foaming in the reservoir so I'm calling it good.
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I use the same THF that meets J20C or both C&D in power steering, transfer cases and the hydraulic fluid in JD lawn tractors.
 
Correction regarding using Idemitsu PSF vs Honda Power Steering Fluid in Hondas.

Idemitsu is 7.65 cSt @ 100C, which makes it by far the thickest power steering fluid you can buy (other than Honda Power Steering Fluid) AFAIK.

I downloaded a current Honda Power Steering Fluid data sheet to compare. Honda Power Steering Fluid is 12.6 cSt @ 100C. 😳 That's thicker than most Xw30 motor oil! 😳

Member Samiamz is correct. Idemitsu PSF has signifigantly lower viscosity than Honda Power Steering Fluid. Like a 20 grade vs 30 grade amount of difference!

Idemitsu PSF claims (on the bottle) to be for Asian cars and be acceptable for Honda. I think it must work OK in Hondas because it was recommended to me people at a Honda CR-V forum. However, it's not the same oil.

I now think Idemitsu PSF is the 2nd best choice after Honda Power Steering Fluid, if you own a Honda. However, if you own another brand of Asian car then Idemitsu PSF is 😘 excellent and the best and affordable, especially at Rockauto.

For comparison, Valvoline Pro Series PSF (for Honda) has 7 cSt @ 100C. Would it be acceptable in Honda? Maybe, but I have my doubts for using it in Honda. However, I think it would be excellent for other Asian cars, and American too, IMO. Also, easier to find in small town and rural autostores.

AMSOIL power steering fluid has 7.2 cSt @ 100C. It says it's for American & Asian cars, but not Honda. I'm impressed by Amsoil, but it's slightly expensive.

Various other brands that claim to be acceptable for Honda range from 5.5 to 6 cSt @ 100C, which is way too thin for Honda. Prestone, Oreilly Master Pro, and Lubeguard Complete are among the thinnies claiming to be approved for Honda. They are clearly not acceptable for Honda (IMO) and most of them I wouldn't even put in my Buick. I prefer 7-7.5 cSt for my Buick PS.

Most lesser brands of PSF have cSt 6 or less. I'm aware that there are some very good brands (good for Euro cars) that are thin. Pentosin and Lubeguard Complete are examples of good quality thin viscosity PSF that would be good for Euro cars, but I don't have any Euro cars.

I will soon post data sheets.
 
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@Carlostrece, Lucas used to sell a PSF with conditioners suitable for all PS systems, even Hondas. It came in a white 16oz. bottle but I'm not sure it's still available, WM cleared it out several years ago. 🤷‍♂️
 
GSCJR said:
@Carlostrece, Lucas used to sell a PSF with conditioners suitable for all PS systems, even Hondas. It came in a white 16oz. bottle but I'm not sure it's still available, WM cleared it out several years ago. 🤷‍♂️
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I don't know. The only Lucas PSF that I know of is what's in my Buick right now. It's clear fluid that came in a clear bottle. I'd describe it as an adequate PSF, but nothing to brag on even when new. Now it's 14 years olds and needs to go.

It's a good conventional PSF (I mean good for a conventional) with 7.5 cSt @ 100C. A nice respectable cSt (thicker than most) for American and Japanese cars, but it would be thin for use in a Honda. The Lucas currently available is not synthetic. I think Honda requires synthetic.
 
Tomioka said:
I hate that I have to buy specific power steering fluid as like with coolant/antifreeze. IMO it's a 'dumb' hydraulic system but some OEM systems are picky with fluids.

Redline PSF for GM products. Something about hydroboost brake boosters not liking ATF.
Honda Power Steering Fluid for Hondas.
CHF fluid for the German stuff.
Maxlife ATF in vehicles that call for ATF.
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When you say CHF, do you mean Pentosin CHF?
 
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