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
What PS Fluid do you use?
- Thread starter Carlostrece
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Carlostrece
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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'm not sure that it is that simple. Unless there is a fluid analysis that points to the fact that the Honda PSF and Idemitsu PSF 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/PSF 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 PSF fluid.
Carlostrece
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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 PSF 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 PSF. It improved a lot after a flush and refill with new AC Delco PSF, but was still somewhat whiny and moany. New Lucas PSF offered more improvement, but still not perfect. Now the Lucas is 14 years old and it's getting worse.
This time I research PSF 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 PSF specifically. Well Honda PSF is made by Idemitsu. They're the same PSF. A 12 oz bottle of Idemitsu PSF costs $4.39 at Rock Auto, which is $1 less than same size bottle of Honda PSF from Honda dealership.
My other neighbor's Hyundai is not finicky about PSF. It works fine with any brand of Asian approved PSF.
Some cars aren't finicky about PSF. Some are. My Buick seems to be finicky in that it needs fresh top tier PSF to be happy. All Hondas are reputed to be finicky in that they're reputed to need Honda or Idemitsu PSF.
Jeeps aren't finicky with stock size tires, but with oversize tires they need top tier PSF. Ideally of a thick enough viscosity, which means any of the following: Idemitsu (it aint just for Hondas), Amsoil, Red Line, or Lucas. Lucas PSF 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 PSF, 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 PSF, such as Pentosin or Lubeguard Complete.
Valvoline synthetic PSF took a middle approach with a high quality medium viscosity PSF that probably works adequately for anything, though not ideal for anything. It's the jack of all trades PSF 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 PSF. 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 PSF 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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Carlostrece
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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 PSF, 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 PSF. I didn't look for one after being told Idemitsu PSF is the same. However, I did read Idemitsu PSF data sheet and was very impressed. It has the best specs I've seen. Even better than Amsoil PSF and Red Line PSF.
If you can get a data sheet for Honda PSF, please post it in a new thread. Then I will post the data sheet for Idemitsu PSF. Then we can compare. We could have a fun and informative thread about the comparison and topic.
That said, I am confident using Idemitsu PSF 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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Carlostrece
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Fresh is important for sure.
Rando HDZ 15 or 32
Carlostrece
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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 PSF for Hondas.
CHF fluid for the German stuff.
Maxlife ATF in vehicles that call for ATF.
Redline PSF for GM products. Something about hydroboost brake boosters not liking ATF.
Honda PSF for Hondas.
CHF fluid for the German stuff.
Maxlife ATF in vehicles that call for ATF.
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.
Is Rando a brand or do you mean any random PSF that's available?
How do you get "random" from Rando HDZ?
Our Mazda's EPS actually takes PSF.
And it's the best steering/tracking/handling vehicle we have.
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
Correction regarding using Idemitsu PSF vs Honda PSF in Hondas.
Idemitsu is 7.65 cSt @ 100C, which makes it by far the thickest power steering fluid you can buy (other than Honda PSF) AFAIK.
I downloaded a current Honda PSF data sheet to compare. Honda PSF 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 PSF. 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 PSF, 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 PSF 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.
Idemitsu is 7.65 cSt @ 100C, which makes it by far the thickest power steering fluid you can buy (other than Honda PSF) AFAIK.
I downloaded a current Honda PSF data sheet to compare. Honda PSF 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 PSF. 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 PSF, 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 PSF 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. 
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
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.@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.
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.
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
When you say CHF, do you mean Pentosin CHF?
Yes, CHF 11S or 202 is from Pentosin.
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
I knew what you meant. I just wanted to make sure any newbies reading would also know. Thanks for spelling it out.
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