Power steering fluid

[penn70]

The manual calls out PSF-3. What is that ? What is compatable? I used normal power steering fluid and I have a pump noise now.

[vsolo]

What is "normal" Power steering fluid. GM uses one type "Dextron III", Ford uses another "Type F" , Chrysler uses 2 different types depending on the year of the car, "ATF+3" &/or "Dexron®-III Mercon® ATF".
Cross mixing them is not good.

http://carcommons.com/-vp28486.html

http://www.carstalk.net/viewtopicp-1648270.html

from checking around I found: hyundaitech said Hyundai uses Dexron ATF for power steering fluid.

& this http://www.phillips66lubricants.com/NR/rdonlyres/C4B61594-D6FB-47F7-BB18-145ADBE2FDEE/0/66_Dex_Merc_ATF.pdf

DEXRON®-III/MERCON® ATF is recommended for service fill in all
domestic and import vehicles that require a DEXRON®-III or
MERCON® fluid. It meets the performance requirements of the new
GM DEXRON®-III H-Revision specification, and may be used in
automatic transmissions where previous generation DEXRON® fluids
are specified. It also meets the performance requirements for Allison
C-4, Caterpillar TO-2 and Sundstrand Hydrostatic transmissions.
This fluid also may be used in industrial and mobile hydraulic
systems operating over a wide temperature range.
DEXRON®-III/MERCON® ATF

DEXRON®-III/MERCON® ATF meets or exceeds the requirements of:
• Allison C-4
• Caterpillar TO-2 (obsolete)
• Denison Hydraulics HF-0
• Ford MERCON®
• GM DEXRON®-III (Approved for H Specification), DEXRON®-II
• Sundstrand Hydrostatic Transmissions
• Vickers (Eaton) M-2950-S and I-286-S





All car companies recommend particular fluids for thier cars, there is no "normal" . later VW Jetta's have to use a special windshild washer fluid or it will mess up their windshieds, nost peoiple dont know this tall after they buy a car.

Power steering fluid is just Automatic transmission fluid anyway..

[jwoair23]

How would a washer fluid mess up a windshield?

[wev567]

First thing, check yer level - maybe the was an air bubble that worked its way out?

"Power steering fluid is just Automatic transmission fluid anyway.."

Power Steering fluid is *not* ATF - besides that one is pink-ish and the other is clear-ish, they do have different properties. Back in the 1970s, ATF was recommended as PS fluid, but not now. It's is important to use the right stuff, cause you *may* cause some damage to the pump, rack or seals.

That said, PS fluid itself seems pretty universal (and cheap!) to me. Honda has their special stuff made out of liquid gold or something, and GM made special fluid to "cure" its front drive steering rack problem. (It had better flow when cold, so your PS actually worked 1st thing in the morning!!) Maybe someone with a chemisty background can explain what is really in those bottles.