difference between power steering fluid and ATF

[Chad]

Anybody have any insight to the differences between power steering fluid vs automatic transmission fluid? smells the same looks the same feels the same works the same in my opinion cant tell a difference. I think power steering fluid is just dexron III dyed another color (sometimes) in a different bottle with an inflated price . Any thoughts on this? feel free to comment- have a good day! B)

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[zero]

Depending on the application, it may be the same thing. Although most manufacturers recommend their own specific ATF fluid for power steering. ATF is essentially hydraulic fluid, P/S fluid is also Hydraulic fluid. If it’s red, it’s the manufacturers specific ATF at least 9/10.

GM and Honda are the only 2 makes that do not use ATF I can think of off the top of my head. Although I have seen a few GMs from 2010ish with hydraulic power steering that spec ATF. While ATF would work in an emergency, I wouldn’t recommend it for any longer than is absolutely needed in applications where it is not the specified fluid.

[Rick]

Honda has EPS, and liquid power steering. They use a specialized fluid. Some manufacturers use regular engine oil in manual transmissions. If I remember correctly Hyundai uses a specific type of trans oil for their transmissions, rear diff fluids also vary.

Personally I go with what ever the manuf recommends. Brake fluid is the only thing I will buy that’s universal. Coolant, PS, trans fluids I go by OEM specs.

[dan]

and usually brake fluid is eithe DOT-3 and DOT-4 hardly is it ever DOT-5 or DOT-5.1

[Chad]

Okay sweet! Thank you that makes sense now. This pertains to a 99 jeep grand cherokee 4.7L V8 engine, cap says power steering fluid but i just changed the power steering pressure line and filled it with atf +4 with no problems so far. Is this bad in the long run? Its my daily driver.

[zero]

It’s a Chrysler, ATF+4 is the proper fluid for the application.

[Author]

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