What power steering fluid do you use?

[Carlostrece]

In regard to post 55. Here are some data sheets for comparison. Note the cSt viscosity differences at KV100 aka 100C.

Stock PSF for Buick & GM (for comparison):
AC Delco OE cSt ?, ?, VI 150, FP347, PP -44F

View attachment 289488

 

[Carlostrece]

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.

For American and GM specifically I'll rank the 5 best PSF in order of best, excellent, excellent, very good, good: Idemitsu, Amsoil, Red Line, Valvoline Professional Series, Lucas. That list and ranking is based solely on datasheets, not official recommendations. Idemitsu greatly exceeds official requirements for American and GM and exceeds the performance of other oils listed. The other 4 oils listed exceed GM requirement, but to a lesser extent than Idemitsu. The other 4 are officially recommended for American cars.

For Asian cars (excluding Honda) I'll rank PSF in order of best, excellent, very good, probably good: Idemitsu, Amsoil, Valvoline Professional Series, Red Line. That's based on datasheets. All of those (except Red Line) are officially recommended for Asian cars.

For Honda, I'd rank PSF in order of best, good: Honda, Idemitsu. Honda Power Steering Fluid is the ideal choice for Honda. Idemitsu is a distant 2nd best choice due to viscosity difference, IMO. That's based on datasheets and recommendations I got at a CR-V forum. Idemitsu officialy claims to be good for Honda and Asian cars in general.

For Euro cars I'd rank PSF in order of best, good: Pentosin, Lubeguard Complete

The above are my opinions. Yours may vary. Please read the datasheets in post 61 and decide for yourself.

 

[Tempest1]

Lubegard Complete is doing well in my son's 02 Tundra. Will be moving to this fluid on my mom's 02 Highlander when I get a chance.

43% PAO per their SDS.

 

[gordo585]

Amsoil PS
I've been maintaining a 2005 Honda CRV since 2007. Swapped over to Amsoil PS back when the label said it was for Honda. Never looked back, do the turkey baster method every second oil change. Power steering working great, no issues and it's cold here in the winter.

Honda and its miracle unicorn juice.......If you use another fluid your vehicle will crumble. Don't drink the cool aid.

Saying that I do stick with the Honda OEM PS2 pump fluid for the rear diff. Who knows what that is.

 

[nthach]

Red Line D4 or MaxLife ATF here unless it needs something special.

 

[Retirednow]

Mobilfluid 428. 2005 Ford Falcon BA.

 

[RobbS]

Amsoil power steering fluid. It feels great

 

[Retirednow]

Mobilfluid 428, which is the replacement for Mobilfluid 424, which was the OEM fluid.

 

[skaughtz]

MaxLife ATF in my 2007 Camry since I always have it on hand for the transmission anyway.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Honda in Hondas and MaxLife in Toyotas.

 

[gamefoo21]

I'm a bit of a naughty PSF applier.

In the VW, I found Redline PSF the best, hot/cold honestly felt better than the CHF7.1 it had and I refreshed with a 1ltr can. When the CHF7.1 got hot the steering got heavy feeling. It howled like a stuck pig after 50-100km with AMSOIL power steering fluid. Put thousands of KM on the Redline before I spun the crank pulley. Added two tool steel dowels, that pulley won't jump without taking the crank with it now.

In the Volvo XC90s, it's been incredibly happy with Idemitsu PSF. Stock is CHF202. Probably going to try Redline PSF after adding an extra cooler to the V8 one.

The Acura has had either Lubegard, white bottle Lucas or Idemitsu.

For domestics, I've swapped the family Ford's, Jeeps and GMs to white bottle Lucas, Amsoil or Lubegard. With no issues.