Hi - I own a 1986 Ford Ranger. I was told that I can use Transmission fluid in my Power Steering reservoir. Is this true? Is it the same?
Thanks.

 

The manual say use Mercon ATF.....

 

Yes, that is the recommended fluid as BearMan54 said.

If your PS is as good as my 88' just carry an extra qt. Stupid truck, it doesn't leak oil anymore after a rebuild so it starts to leak from the PS. I figure it's not happy unless it's leaking.

 

It's just marking it's territory...

 

my gear box is what's leaking PS fluid for some reason. the return line was until I replaced it with some hose and hose clamps

 

Not Mercon, look in your owners manuals. 1995 and earlier use Type-F in the power steering. The later models can use Mercon-III.

 

My 78 Merc & 94 Taurus both use type F fluid in the power steering.

I just did a P/S flush on the Taurus & took the time to look up the specs on some different brands of type F fluid & was surprised to find such a WIDE difference in published parameters, especially pour points -50~ -38F & flash points 320~460F . I suspect this may hold true for the other types of tanny fluids too, but I've not looked them up to date!!!!

If any of you have a vehicle that uses type F fluid, check out these numbers. Some like volatility & pour point, should be interesting to those that live in the extreme ends of hot & cold weather.

A low pourpoint could make the difference in whether your tranny or P/S works well, during those really cold times.

A high flash point & high viscosity index is a good gauge of the base fluids quality & how the fluid will hold up in hot conditions.

Mfgr / Pour / VI / Flash

Union76 /-56 / 172 / 424

Kendal / -54 / 174 / 410

RedLine / -50 / 170 / 460

Chevron / -49 / 165 / 417

Texaco / -49 / 165 / 417

Phillips / -45 / 145 / 401

Citgo / -40 / 165 / 392

Shell / -40 / 165 / 370

Exxon / -40 / 150 / 320

Mobil / -40 / 150 / 320

Valvoline/ -38/ 178/ 457

Castrol / ? / ? / 347

Caltex / ? / 158 / 203C

Motorcraft/ ? / ? / ?