Hello,

I need to add some more power steering fluid to my Maxima and I went to Wal Mart to purchase the Dexron. I know that Dexron is transmission fluid also. I looked in the power steering section did not find any Dexron. Went to the Transmission Fluid and found 3 WITH Dexron present. There was Valvoline and Pensoil which both had Dexron 3/Mercon. And then there was an off brand that just had Dexron.

- Which do I get, or are none of these what I need?

2) Also for Windshield Washer Fluid, I saw some windsheield Washer that was de-icer as well, can I mix that with the current blue washer fluid in the car now?

3) Also what type of fuel injector should I add. I heard it should include techron. There was some up there for cold starts as well... can I use both?

I would appreciate any responses ASAP so I can go purchase the items ASAP

Thanks again

 

You should use ATF that complies with Dextron II or above in the power steering system.

You want windshield washer fluid with de-icer in it. You can mix it with what is there.

If you need fuel injector cleaner, get the Chevron brand with Techron. It is a black bottle. You don't really need anything else. And you only need to use it occasionally, like the last tank before you change the oil. If you can put Chevron premium fuel in the tank regularly it already has Techron in it, so you might not need to add any.

 

i posted in the fluid/lubricant thread. They said it's ok to use Valvoline Synpower PS fluid. I'm still iffy though because it doesn't say Dexron III on the label. I've had it for 500 miles now, no problems. I don't know. anyone have any other input

 

Read the stickies.....

1. Power Steering Fluid will say just that on the bottle, while Transmission Fluid will advertise itself as "transmission fluid." Do not put Tranny fluid in the power steering resovoir. I don't know what all this dexron business is about... I'm confused as to whether you're asking about tranny fluid or power steering.

2. Mix it up all you like - de-ice, re-ice, whatever. It seems like a waste of time and effort to drain out the leftover washer fluid before pouring in the new stuff because it's not the exact same.

3. Techron is a trademark of Chevron, so you'll only see that name on their bottles. I've heard nothing bad about it, but is it something special? I couldn't tell ya - maybe it is, maybe it's not. Just stick with name brands - not the Wal-Mart brand injector cleaner - Chevron is fine. I would NOT recommend dumping all kinds of cleaners and boosters into your tank at the same time, though. Cold start stuff may contain silicon - good for preventing freezing in the lines, but it may cause unwanted deposits in the system. It's your call....

 

Dexron is what Maxima recoomends, I dont know if its a brand

 

1. The Factory Service Manual for our cars says:

The manufacturer seems to disagree with you. I believe Dexron is a type of ATF originally specified for GM vehicles, BTW.

3. Techron is one of the only fuel injector cleaners that has been found effective by the SAE. Most of the others have not demonstrated their effectiveness.

I agree with you that mixing a bunch of fuel additives together is a waste. Most fuel additives are snake oil, anyway.

 

Hmm.... I've never heard of Dexron in power steering fluid. I thought steering fluid was a simple pertroleum oil - nothing fancy...

And it's not a brand, just a trademarked formula - Valvoline, Castrol, Pennzoil, etc all advertise their tranny fluids as being a Dexron tranny fluid.

 

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ....asp?Product=6
or
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...asp?Product=64

-- Is either of these what I should get for my power steering?

It has Dexron 3 and says ATF but also has Mercon, what is that? I cant find one with just Dexron 3

Or this penzoil one
http://www.pennzoil.com/products/trans_fluids/dex3.html

 

Look, Dexron is a specification put out by GM for a type of ATF. Mercon is a similar specification put out by Ford/Mercury.

Dexron and Mercon are not ingredients.

If the fluid meets Dexron-III, then it also meets Dexron-II. You can use it in your power steering!

 

No! Those are tranny fluids (ATF = auto transmission fluid), not power steering. Dexron is a trademarked formula that GM seems to have come up with, while Mercon is Ford's. It appears that those names actually have more to do with the durability of the fluid - Castrol's website claims their TQ-Dexron III tranny fluid "meets the requirements of GM Dexron III-G, Ford Mercon, and Allison C4 specifications."

For steering fluid, get something like this:

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...asp?product=30

 

So I can use any of the above?
-- Which is best penzoil's or Valvolines?


-- Solid Snake,in the manual it says to use Dexron

 

Really? Power steering will operate with any oil in it?

And what does your quote from the FSM reference? Is that talking about what to use for tranny fluid or power steering fluid?

 

So I can use any of the above?
-- Which is best penzoil's or Valvolines?

Also if I have some power steering left in the resevoir do I need to empty it or can I just top it off?
--- Also the fluid in there currently is light blue, I thought ATF fluid (Dexron) was dark?

 

All I'm saying is that the manufacturer recommends to use ATF of type Dexron-II in the power steering system. Fluids that meet the Dexron-III specification will meet or exceed the Dexron-II specification.

Loko, either of them is fine as long as they meet the specification. Pick the one that is the best deal or the one that has the prettiest label.

 

Milesa,can you please comment on my question above?

 

I edited the older post just a minute ago!

Sorry, SolidSnake, I didn't see your question before. That reference from the FSM is in the Power Steering section. It's true you can buy fluid that is marked specifically for power steering, but that's what the FSM calls for.

 

thanks milesa

Also if I have some power steering left in the resevoir do I need to empty it or can I just top it off?
--- Also the fluid in there currently is light blue, I thought ATF fluid (Dexron) was dark?


/\ What about that /\

 

Interesting... and the confusion is over. I just read up on Dexron I, II, and III, so I understand the specs and how that system works. I find it surprising that ATF has more than one purpose - makes me wonder why anyone sells products labeled "Power Steering Fluid"....

Forget what I said, newbie! I learned just as much as you did here. I should hang my head for adding to the misinformation of our forums

 

Loko, if you go to www.motorvate.ca, there is a write-up in there for changing the power steering fluid. If you want change it, just follow that.

 

Thanks for the info...

But what Im trying to figure out is, can I just add that new Dexron Fluid on top pf what Power Steering fluid is in there now?

Or do I need to change it if I do not know what type is in there now?

 

anyone know this?

 

If the new fluid meets or exceeds Dexron-II, then it is compatible with the fluid that's already in there.

The manufacturer does not specify that you have to change power steering fluid. But if you want to change it, you can. Just folllow the write-up on www.motorvate.ca.

I'm surprised you haven't asked this question: "Why do I need to add power steering fluid?"

 

LOL
Thanks

I was just afraid that if the fluid currently in the car (since I bought this car used) was not ATF Dexron 3, if it was just regular PS fluid, that I couldnt just put the ATF DExron 3 on top of that, but your saying I can no matter whats in there currently right?

 

It should be fine, but why not change it out if it will give you some peace of mind? It's easy to do. Who knows what the previous owner put in there, if anything? Maybe he put windshield washer fluid in there!