4WD
$50 site donor 2025
I wish - only one left that takes fluid - the Mopar liquid gold.
Who is using ATF in your power steering system?
- Thread starter slomo
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The Focus has some duratran tractor hydraulic fluid in it, as it was handy when I had to drain it for the new subframe. It has a lower pour point than most dexron 3 fluids, so it the pump is always silent even in -28C so far.
That makes sense as GM has typically recommended to use Power Steering Fluid in their PS systems, not Dexron III.
I've got a 2002 Silverado owners manual, and it shows this as the Power Steering fluid: GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. 1052884 - 1 pint,1050017 - 1 quart, or equivalent).
MolaKule
Staff member
Many manf. specified ATF or PSF for their power steering units.
However, DO NOT use ATF in a system that uses Electronic Power Steering Fluid (ePSF) such as in the later model Nissans as they require the ePSF.
However, DO NOT use ATF in a system that uses Electronic Power Steering Fluid (ePSF) such as in the later model Nissans as they require the ePSF.
Toyota and Subaru, just to name a couple. Steering systems requiring a fluid is becoming rare in my area.
Any idea why a power steering system would have any issue with ATF vs PS?
I have dex6 in my 05 Silverado PS and it's been flawless and quiet even in the well below freezing weather this week.
I did have issues with it in the past. Before I bought from my employer I thought the pump was failing - it would lose some assist at times. Can't remember if I changed it before owning it or not....at one point I put cheap PS fluid in as I planned to change it again shortly after.....while it was in there I was trying to back up a heavy lift platform in my father in law's yard and overheated it and lost all power steering for a bit. I changed the fluid with ATF of some kind and the problem went away.
It's now been years since I had an issue and I changed it with Dexron 6 a couple years ago.
I have dex6 in my 05 Silverado PS and it's been flawless and quiet even in the well below freezing weather this week.
I did have issues with it in the past. Before I bought from my employer I thought the pump was failing - it would lose some assist at times. Can't remember if I changed it before owning it or not....at one point I put cheap PS fluid in as I planned to change it again shortly after.....while it was in there I was trying to back up a heavy lift platform in my father in law's yard and overheated it and lost all power steering for a bit. I changed the fluid with ATF of some kind and the problem went away.
It's now been years since I had an issue and I changed it with Dexron 6 a couple years ago.
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
is it a HD model? if so the hydroboost will get the fluid hot quickly. i remember coming the mountains in colorado and having the system start to groan when braking/turning. a quick and easy upgrade is to grab a OEM replacement (Dorman) HD model power steering cooler and route it in the return side. it’s a bolt up job.
No just a 1500 no hydro boost. It was a unique situation with lots of steering with little to no backward movement. Original 270k mile PS system.
If I had to use it that way regularly I would add a cooler. I've added a good auxiliary trans cooler years ago and it's probably extended the life of the 4L60E significantly.
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
you could probably pick-a-part for near nothing, would help extend service life on the pump.
All my older Panthers spec’d plain Mercon. My 2011 Grandma Keith specs Mercon V.
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2025
Synthetic ATF is required in early 2000s BMWs...its what I use in my 2001 BMW 540. I use Mobil 1 ATF
I replaced the factory fill PSF in my 2012 Ram truck when I dropped the Automatic Transmission pan to change out 75% of the ATF - around 33K miles. No problem in the subsequent 45K miles thus far. The Owners manual calls for Mopar PSF +4 or ATF +4.
I'll replace the ATF +4 fluid in my power steering reservoir next time I replace the ATF +4 automatic transmission fluid and filters in the transmission around 93K miles.
I'll replace the ATF +4 fluid in my power steering reservoir next time I replace the ATF +4 automatic transmission fluid and filters in the transmission around 93K miles.
Only Honda PSF in my old CRV. Dexron III in my old Toyota and Ford.
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I've used Valvoline max life in my Xterra and Avalon. Each has 200k miles, changed like ever 20k miles, flushed at 100k. Both have original rack and pinion and no leaks, squeals or issues.
I had trouble with my FX50S a while ago where in heavy mountain driving the pump would make noise and the fluid would foam and overflow. I was using the OEM Nissan power steering fluid. I replaced it with Dex 6 which was supposed to be compatible, same problem. I replaced the pump and suction line with new OEM parts, it seemed fine until I did some more spirited mountain driving with a trailer. I topped off with Royal Purple PSF I got in the mountains and the problem disappeared. I fully swapped to royal purple fluid when I got home. About a year later, I added a setrab oil cooler to the power steering return line while I had the bumper off to replace some light bulbs. I'm still running the same fill of RP PSF 80K miles later and have done thousands of mountain miles, many with a heavy (for my car) trailer. I was never particularly a fan of Royal Purple products, but this one works for me. I could have saved some money and time if I tried it before replacing parts.
If you watch the "car care nut" on YT, he says it is Idemitsu PSF. I can say it sure looks the same and is what I use for Toyota PSF. No issues with 50k+ miles of using it. Specifically about color, it goes in looking like honey, comes out a little closer to maple syrup.
manually flushed and filled with Maxlife ATF in my 17 4Runner every 30k miles. 
Valvoline Maxlife ATF Multi Vehicle in Subaru and Tundra. For a time being on here --- multiple people were running this which swayed me to give it a shot. Vehicles in use get turkey baster method annually. Been using for years with no issues.
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