What PS fluid for GM (2002 Malibu)?

[FL-400S]

I cant find anything in the owners manual and the shop manual for a 1998 malibu says use some GM part number or equivalent and thats it. So what do I use?

Also, my toyota says "use only dexron ATF" for PS fluid. Is this the same as Dexron III? I think Ill just get Mobil 1 ATF if thats the case...please let me know!

Thanks!

 

[XS650]

Pensoil sez regular old Pennzoil Power Steering Fluid

It might also pay to take another look in your manual, fluid specs aren't always in an obvious location. Also, what about the PS resevoir cap? Any info there.

 

[FL-400S]

Nothing on the cap except a steering wheel and a little book with an "i" on it for "look it up you shadetree mechanic" I suppose

 

[olympic]

The owners manuals for my Pontaic Montana's are the same way. They just list a GM part number for the PS fluid. I don't know what the difference is between GM PS fluid and Dexon/Mercon ATF but the GM stuff is the same color as motor oil.

Amsoil does not recommend their ATF for my vans and GM does not recommend ATF in their PS systems. So I play it safe and buy the GM stuff. It's not expensive and I only change it every 60k so using the recommended fluid is no big deal.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

I have a 99 Saturn. Just flushed and filled power steering pump. Started with power steering fluid from Wal-Mart. It specifically said it met the GM specs. Ended up putting Valvoline SynPower Power Steering Fluid towards the end. It also met the GM Specs and worked well. My 93 Sentra calls for Dexron II, but I use Dexron III to top it off.

 

[1maniac]

My all time favorite PS fluid is Redline Synthetic PS fluid. Superb cold weather performance and equally as good on hot days at the track.

 

[FL-400S]

I double checked the manual, still says GM PS fluid or equivalent. So I can use any PS fluid then?


And still need to know if I can use Mobil 1 ATF for the "Dexron" requirement in my toyota.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by FL-400S:
I double checked the manual, still says GM PS fluid or equivalent. So I can use any PS fluid then?


And still need to know if I can use Mobil 1 ATF for the "Dexron" requirement in my toyota.

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You can use any PS fluid that a reputable company says is a substitute for GM fluid.

For the tran fluid, see what Mobil says. If they do';t say it's suitable for your transmission, don't use it, if the do, use it. Start at www.mobil.com and look for products then find spec sheets, then search for Mobil 1 atf and see what it's good for. Took me less than 30 seconds to find out.

 

[FL-400S]

quote:

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Originally posted by XS650:

quote:

---

Originally posted by FL-400S:
I double checked the manual, still says GM PS fluid or equivalent. So I can use any PS fluid then?


And still need to know if I can use Mobil 1 ATF for the "Dexron" requirement in my toyota.

---

You can use any PS fluid that a reputable company says is a substitute for GM fluid.

For the tran fluid, see what Mobil says. If they do';t say it's suitable for your transmission, don't use it, if the do, use it. Start at www.mobil.com and look for products then find spec sheets, then search for Mobil 1 atf and see what it's good for. Took me less than 30 seconds to find out.

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Well I took the 30 seconds and it says nothing about using the ATF as power steering fluid. It says that Mobil 1 ATF is approved by GM for Dexron III use. That part I know already. What Im asking is whether I can use it for PS fluid in my toyota which says use "Dexron" fluid and doesnt specify II or III. I mentioned all of this above if you read it.

 

[Shaman]

quote:

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Originally posted by FL-400S:
I cant find anything in the owners manual and the shop manual for a 1998 malibu says use some GM part number or equivalent and thats it. So what do I use?

Also, my toyota says "use only dexron ATF" for PS fluid. Is this the same as Dexron III? I think Ill just get Mobil 1 ATF if thats the case...please let me know!

Thanks!

---

I am run Valvoline Synpower in mine. I switched it out after the pump went. i am currently running Auto-RX through it to clean up the steering rack. Got my first whine on a cold morningafter about 6 months of no noise. Put the ARX that afternoon, and will b changing out PS fluid and oil at the same time.

 

[MolaKule]

Most PS fluids for GM are Dexron III fluids.

 

[MolaKule]

quote:

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What Im asking is whether I can use it for PS fluid in my toyota which says use "Dexron" fluid and doesnt specify II or III. I mentioned all of this above if you read it.

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Dexron III fluid superceeds Dexron II. If Toyota says you can use Dexron fluids, then Dexron III would be my pick, since it is more oxidation resistant than Dexron II.

 

[FL-400S]

OK I went to pepboys and valvoline synpower is approved for GM 1050017 specs, which is what I need. It says on the back label, but I cant find it on their website which would have saved me a trip over there.

And Ill use Mobil 1 ATF in my toyota.

Thanks all!