When I bought my used 95 Nissan Maxima SE about 2 weeks ago they did a power steering flush and about a week later I opened the hood and the fluid was at the cold min.

So I went and purchased Valvoline Max Life Dexron 3 ATF and topped it off to the Cold Max...

Should I have emptied out what the dealer had put in there? Do you think they had put the same fluid?

What if the fluid was Dexron 3 compatible but not Valvoline?

Should I empty what I can out using the motorvate way and then top it off again?

 

Hey how did you do a ps flush? I was only able to suck out what was in the resevoir, but nothing else. I replaced the fluid with Mobile 1 Syn ATF. It has been about 2 months now and I have noticed that the level has dropped below the Cold Min.

 

I didnt do a flush.
I just topped it off, Im wondering if its ok or should I have not topped it off without being sure what was in there?

-- Please help...

Also the motorvate way I believe you just stick a turkey baster in the resvoir and suck out whatever you can from the hole in the resevoir. - Am I correct?

 

I do not see how Topping it off would be bad. The way Motorvate described changing the fluid is exactly the way I did it

 

But what Im saying is what if the fluid that the dealer put in is different than mine.

Like the fluid I used to top it off was Valvoline Max Life Dexron 3 comapatible, what if theres was not Dexron 3 or was not Valvoline, is it still ok ?

 

It should be fine. The brand would not matter too much when mixing. As long as both are good brands there shouldn't be any problems. Oils and ATF don't tend to be too picky with new and used.

 

so what brand names of PS fluid can i use for my maxima 97. i notice it is towards the COLD MIN ... what brands are good?

thanks..

 

The brand doesn't matter, as long as its dexron. I'm running Mobil 1 syn ATF. 1 qt. is enough to flush the resovior twice.

Thanks for the turkey baster idea, I'll do that next time.

 

okie i settled for valvoline atf dexcron III for my 97 max.. it was MUCH cheaper than the PS fluid kind...i am curious as to why atf is okay.

so im good to go then?

 

ATF is a multi purpose oil that works for many different things including a hydrolyic fluid which is what your ps needs......valvoline atf should be excellent

 

okie i just did mine..so im cking out another car of ours and it says dexcron 2, will using another ATF be suitable?? it is for a 94 altima or will the valvoline dexcron 3 be okay?

thanks..

 

Yes.

10char

 

thanks the 94 alimta manual said something like dexcron IIe for atf and dexcron II for ps...

but i guess i have left overs from the valv ATF, so i'll just use that, thanks guys,
oh ya i found ATF mobil, but too late i guess, bought and used the valv..