Power Steering Fluid vice ATF
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Mobile, AL
Power Steering Fluid vice ATF
Pretty sure the PO didn't know the proper fluids, so what are the risks to running PS fluid vice ATF in the steering system? It seems to be fine, responds to inputs, no whine/noise, and breaks good. Will it cause harm or boil under loads? Just curious...
Go Bills !
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 65
From: Buffalo, NY
Didn't change to ATF until a year or so ago in both our trucks. No difference and no whines/noise either way. I did it for the flush aspect and also hoping to get longer life from our pumps. Plus i don't like a whiny pump so if i can prolong that. It is worth the change. ATF Personal preference
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
I have always used ATF. When I flushed it last year, we used Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. Took about 3 qts to do the flush. Still working great. Might be my imagination, but the p/s seems to work better now. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
With my original power steering pump I had ATF in it accidentally topped it off with PS fluid and it worked well. When I realized ATF is supposed to be in there, I did the flush and replaced it with Mobil 1 and it was quieter and lighter even with the 315's and an 8 ft Western plow. A few weeks ago, my pump was leaking from several abrasions in the lines as well as fittings on the pump so I had a mechanic replace it and the lines. When he filled it, he used PS fluid and it is heavier steering and louder. When I get a chance, I am going to go back to ATF Mobil 1 Synthetic.
