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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 17,363
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power steering fluid vs Auto trans?
My kids 4 runner is finally complete. All suspension and rubber parts down below done. Tomorrow, 2 things need to be flushed, power steering and brake fluids. Stopped by Autozone today and found only 1 large bottle Perstone power steering fluid left. Went home to look at the manual and it calls for Dexron III. I was ready to buy 3 qts of Dexron but the dumb kid behind the counter talked me out of it and use Prestone. I know they may be the same fluid only Dexron has more detergent in it. Off the to the net I go and try and find an answer. It seems the Prestone fluid may dry out seals and cause leaking whereas tranny oil has chemicals within it that keeps seals from drying. Anyone know anything about this? Man, we need Mr. Lubbie back.
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: outta here
Posts: 53,123
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Personally, I would make damn sure I use the correct fluid in both of those systems, especially the transmission. And, I’m not a fan of the Prestone brand, in any shape or form.
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,059
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The kid making minimum wage at AZ isn't a credible source. Buy the ATF.
My (non expert opinion) is power steering fluid is hydraulic fluid. ATF has a thicker viscosity and more lubricating properties. |
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....
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,672
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Atf in the power steering.
One just can't mix the Atf and power steering fluid. That's a big no no.
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dolor et pavor Copyright |
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Gastonia, NC
Posts: 666
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FWIW, BMW E36 and E46 calls for ATF to be used in the power steering system.
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1989 911 Carrera Cab 25th Anniversary Edition Euro Pre-Muffler, SW Chip There's nothing better than: Listening to "Going Down the Road Feeling Bad" ,as I, "Go Down the Road Feeling Bad" |
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Did you get the memo?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 32,367
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Dextron for PS fluid is really common. I would just use what the manual says.
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‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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Get off my lawn!
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Read the owners manual.
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Glen 49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America 1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan 1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood! |
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Team California
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What they all said. This isn’t complicated.
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Denis When hats and t-shirts are being sold at a funeral, it's a cult. |
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,673
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Dexron is a lot more common.
![]() 1. If it says use Dexron III, use that. Period. 2. Find a new parts store. Last edited by tcar; 12-06-2020 at 12:57 PM.. |
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Hell Belcho
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Oz
Posts: 9,249
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Do not mix fluids. It WILL leak.
Lots of cars use Dex 3 for PS fluid.
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Saved by the buoyancy of citrus. |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Lacey, WA. USA
Posts: 25,310
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Factory specifications.
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Man of Carbon Fiber (stronger than steel) Mocha 1978 911SC. "Coco" |
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Snark and Soda
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SF east bay
Posts: 24,682
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: SW Mich
Posts: 258
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Years back had my 92 T bird out to Gingerman Raceway. After 30 min my power steering was screaming so load I could hear it with a helmet on. Pitted and the pump was just about dry. Only had Mercon V in the trunk. There was a Ford rep there so I asked if it was OK to pour that in. His response ‘ better than any power steering fluid you can buy’. Using it ever since.
Rich |
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 55,915
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Or just don't listen to anything they tell you there.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa ![]() |
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 17,363
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Thanks. Get his ass out of bed now so we can flush it.
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Did you get the memo?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 32,367
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Quote:
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‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 17,363
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It was another beautiful socal day but I discovered Dexron doesn't taste very good. I hooked up a hose from the return line into the bucket. The clamp came loose and spray that dirty fluid all over the place. Dang, that's a lot of fluid circulating that system. Spend more time cleaning up then actually changing the fluids. Got it done and its nice, smooth, and quiet now.
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