I need to add a little, can I just get Prestone brand? Or does it need to be a specific kind/brand?

 

It’s in your owners manual, in the FSM and online.

 

Dextron is plain old automatic transmission fluid.

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i know its dexron III, but all the power steering fluids in the store don't mention that on the bottle.

 

That seems to depend on what store your shopping at ...

 

It's all about marketing , and profit.

People are willing to pay more per ounce of Dexron in a Power Steering bottle.

Feel free to buy some of that if you doubt us.

 

So everyone here just uses transmission dexron III fluid in their power steering?

 

Based on the fact that they’re the exact same fluid ... yes.

 

Power steering fluid is the same except for the color so you'll know what's leaking...I've used the regular old Prestone P/S fluid for years it's clear instead of being red! Here's what I found on the web:

Generally yes, you can use ATF in your power steering pump. Power steering fluid and Automatic Transmission Fluid are both hydraulic fluids. Your Power steering system is a hydraulic system. ATF has an advantage in that it has some detergents in it that can help keep your system cleaner.

 

We wouldn't steer you wrong. See what I did there?

 

I rather keep the fluid clear for easy detection of leaks.

I had an issue recently where I added the basic AutoZone PS fluid, and got my steering wheel locking up temporarily... drove home with a very stiff wheel. Started car again and it was fine again. A week later more fluid leaked out, I added some more PS fluid and again the wheel became super stiff. After a while it started being inconsistent, stiff/not stiff off and on as I drove.

Mechanic did something, says he replaced the pump (crappy mechanic, I don't trust him), and wheel is fine again, but I'm afraid to add more PS fluid if it leaks again. I'm worried the basic AutoZone PS fluid ruined something in the system.

This is why I'm paranoid about which fluid to use next. I have this Prestone basic one: Prestone PS Fluid, can I use that one? Or should I get their Asian car version: Prestone Asian PS Fluid?

Is it possible that simply adding generic AutoZone PS fluid (not Asian) would screw up the steering like it did?

 

Did you use Prestone Asian PS fluid? Or just generic Prestone fluid? This is the one I have and I'm scared to use it: Prestone PS Fluid

 

I want to keep PS fluid clear for leak detection reason.

I got a generic Prestone PS fluid but have not used it yet: Prestone PS Fluid. Or should I get their Asian car version: Prestone Asian PS Fluid? Or are these 2 exact same thing and I can use either one safely?

The reason I'm asking is cause my steering wheel screwed up badly after I added this PS fluid: AutoZone PS Fluid. Wheel got very stiff and hard to drive. Then fixed itself. Then a week later I added more fluid, and wheel got stiff again. Had to take to mechanic and he said he replaced the PS pump (maybe he lied though, I don't trust him).

 

I suppose you could use the most expensive fluid you can find, if that makes you feel better.

Or you might want to listen to four members who have owned their car for a decade or more.
We have posted here for years.

We use dextron 3 atf.
We don't have issues with our power steering systems.

You seem to think you know more than we do.

 

ATF is red in color, I don't like that. I want to keep it clear color to identify easily what is leaking. I have had lots of leaks in the past.

 

Please feel free to use whatever fluid it is that meets your appearance criteria.

Unfortunately the transmission and power steering fluids specified by the manufacturer of your vehicle happen to bring along with them a particular color.

It is also unfortunate that this specification does not meet your desires related to potential leak detection.

Perhaps you should consider changing/improving your procedures in accordance with the characteristics of the vehicle’s design and requirements, which won’t ultimately result in damage or failure to vehicle systems and components.

Again, you should feel free to use whatever fluids you feel best meet your needs.

Avacado oil is clear ... perhaps that will work.

 

Couldn't agree more with these fellas! Your reasoning really doesn't add up granturissimis. Use the proper fluid. PERIOD.

Water is clear, why not try that?

 

Well with all this being said I have just replaced my 4th and 5.5th Gen P/S pumps and I've used Prestone P/S fluid in both. Now both are hydraulic fluids but the ATF does have the detergents in it to help clean and treat your system plus the ATF is synthetic. Both my 4th and 5.5th Gen systems also include inline magnetic p/s filters!

 

I'll swap and see if anything improves I have plenty of synthetic ATF...My 5.5th Gen has a new p/s pump and new suction line that were both the original 17-18 yrs old units! So I can't really tell you how long I've been running Prestone P/S fluid maybe 10 yrs at the least.

 

OP, what fluid did you decide to use? May I suggest Mountain Dew Frost Bite? If you had a leak, you could taste it and know what it is right away. It also is a very cool blue color, easily distinguishable from the other fluids.

Major Melon would be a good choice too. Tastes just like a watermelon Jolly Rancher. Yummy.

 

morale of the story...just use whatever you want.
why bother asking when your mind is already made up on what you want to use anyway.

 

This appears to be the sentiment nowadays with regard to a wide range of automotive, ethical and moral issues.

 

i agree with you 100%.
i'm not touching the last two but i can comment on auto.
we can only provide the information and it's up to the reader to accept the information. if they don't want to accept the information then it's up to them to decide what to do. you can lead a horse to water....

on a side note just want to thank you and the other OGs that are still around the forum contributing. it's been over 20 yrs....i don't know about you guys but i feel old..lol

 

Coming up on 20 years here on the Org for me. Yikes. Time sure does fly as one gets older.

 

I don't feel old yet! However, I do feel a little bit sad as I remember when the 4th gen forums were full of activity. Now a days there isn't much going on here.

 

Umm, you're the one with bad reasoning here. Transmission fluid is red, engine yellow, PS fluid clear... easy to identify leaks. Whats so hard to understand? Clear PS fluid is same thing as red transmission fluid as I've come to learn.. only costs 5 cents more but you get easy leak identification.

 

no need to justify it.
do what makes you happy.

 

Do the 4th gen PS reservoirs have a filter or screen in the bottom? I've seen cases where a screen or filter in the reservoir becomes clogged and will starve the pump of fluid. Changing fluid helps but doesn't fully cure the issue. Something to think about if it does exist.

 

Nissan has the power steering fluid for sale and you can buy that or use the Nissan trans auto D-matic for the power steering.

 

I accidentally put brake fluid in my power steering reservoir a decade ago. I've been planning to flush the system but haven't gotten around to it. So far it hasn't caused any problems. My steering rack is pretty well worn out, so I'll probably wait to change the fluid until I replace the rack.

 

Just a curiosity question, but does it matter which transmission fluid you use, or are all created more or less equal? Dex III is a pretty old spec (which actually isn't even produced / licensed by GM anymore) so the closest you'll come are generic fluids that claim compatibility.

When I did my last transmission drain/fill on the Maxima ('96 GLE 285k) I used Valvoline Mercon V. Valvoline specifically lists this fluid as compatible with Mercon V and Nissan Matic D, J, K. I suppose this would work fine for power steering use?

Most newer transmission fluid specs (Dex VI and many others) are a low viscosity fluid. My guess is you would want to avoid these for power steering use, is that a logical assumption?

 

Any full synthetic ATF will work.

I use castrol Import atf, it's easily available at walmart.

(I also use it for my power steering as well)


​​​​​Also yoooooooooooooooo mods and admins flaming a dude over PSF 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

 

In their defense, I don't see why a person would use anything other than what the manual calls for, especially something so inexpensive and readily available as regular transmission fluid.

I don't buy the color argument, makes no sense to me. Power steering fluid is almost always a light amber color, much the same as oil. So if you're leaking power steering fluid, how do you differentiate it from the engine oil? As it runs down the block, subframe, hoses, wherever it is, it's going to have the exact same appearance as engine oil.

At least the major transmission and steering components are on opposite sides of the vehicle. If you have a leak on the PS pump side, it's unlikely to come from the transmission as there's nothing there to leak. If it comes from the transmission axle seals or something, it's going to be center of the car, or to the drivers side, away from most of the power steering components. If the rack is leaking, at least it's behind the transmission and should be easy to identify. On the other hand, the power steering pump, pressure & return hoses are right next to the engine which makes it very difficult to tell if it's engine oil or power steering that is leaking if all you have to go by is amber colored oil. That's my take on it, to each their own.

 

While you're at it, why don't you just throw some food colouring in it? I guarantee you'd have better luck finding that elusive leak of yours.

PS: Follow manufacturer's recommendations and stop crying.

 

Seems to me OP didn't come here for our opinions or to have a discussion, he came here solely looking for confirmation of what he wants to do.