For those who are still confused with the so many types of oils, fluids and associated terms here is some useful information. What is the difference between Mercon and Mercon V? I changed it last year with prestone PS fluid. Your email address will not be published. i just bought a car and it's low on power steering fluid, i looking in the manual and it says to use Dextron II. Here is more about Dexron and Mercon transmission fluids that were in the market but have been superseded now. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. It is better to always perform a transmission fluid flush that gets rid of all the debris in the transmission before pouring fresh, new fluid into the car. An example is the Valvoline MaxLife ATF which is synthetic in nature and uses Group III paraffinic oil as its base. The fluid has a low tolerance level and tends to quickly break down, in less than 40,000 miles. When you turn your wheel, this pressure is applied in the direction you turn to make your vehicle easier to steer. Old transmission clutches generally engage at fixed line pressure. 4.7 out of 5 stars 182. Dextron II Power steering fluid? I happen to have a gallon of IV sitting around from my LS swap, and need to flush the PS. Augie OP. However, GM does not advise using fluids like Amsoil Dexron VI in non-GM make vehicles that used Dexron III ATF power steering fluid. Castrol 1 qt. This is why automatic transmission fluids are known for working in high-temperature ranges. The Toyota dealer should be able to supply the Dexron-compatible fluid that they use in their service department. Never take the risk of using a multi-vehicle fluid in your car if you doubt that Dexron III or Mercon ATF is suitable for your car. I myself just use prestone power steering fluid, not the stuff with any additives.just plain ps fluid, that I get from Wal-Mart.I have been running it for a year now with zero negative side effects. Most of Castrol Transmax products like the Castrol Transmax Devron VI include Smooth Drive Technology comprising of active control molecules that automatically adjust their friction level even in varied pressures and speeds. Is regular power steering fluid better than ATF? While it’s okay to use an ATF in an older Ford or domestic vehicle, it’s a huge no-no in Hondas and Acuras, especially in J-series engines. I window-shopped for PS fluid at the Mart of Wal. Common names here are Dexron, Mercon, and ATF+4 which are the brand names of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler fluids respectively. The PS system is not very demanding as long as the fluid you chose does not degrade the rubber seals. This is integral in today’s driving condition which can lead to an uncomfortable ride and damage if the transmission fluid doesn’t protect the transmission moving parts. The oil company anyway states that the old ATF can be replaced by its new counterpart. Why you should replace power steering fluid. Required fields are marked *, ©Copyright 2020 My Engine Needs | All Rights Reserved. $37.62 Prestone AS261 Power Steering Fluid - 32 oz. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. While it’s the specified ATF for some non-GM models with GM transmissions like BMW, it’s not specified for use in GM-brand vehicles with non-GM transmissions or cars imported in the United States. However, there are some fluids that are entirely different and incompatible with other fluids, which you will want to remove immediately. Instead of going through all these problems and headache, it is always better to use the right and best fluid for your tranny because when you compare the costs of a fluid and the tranny, any fluid is naturally a cheaper and better option. They are both hydraulic fluids that cycle through high-pressure pumps that run some high force mechanism. The Super Tech said it was good for topping off but not a complete refill. Sometimes the shifter may even grind while trying to put it in. Dexron VI synthetic transmission fluid can lead to the failure of line pressure in older transmissions. This is very important as it helps prevent any damage to the hydraulic valves, an important part of the tranny. I flushed mine through this past Friday with Prestone Power Steering Fluid - not the type they make for 'Asian Vehicles'. There may be situations where you may have to refill your tranny fluid, only to find out that there is still some Dexron 3 remaining in the transmission. I’m going to do more than just fill it up–I’m going to use a turkey baster and suck up what’s in the reservoir and then replace nearly the entire content of the reservoir with a fresh power steering fluid. That's in my 2gnt if it makes a difference. They make these claims just because one model of that company used Dexron/Mercon. Thank you both, I will follow your recommendation. They can also be used as power steering fluid and compressor fluid.. Viscosity is the thickness of an oil. So you do not end up saving money by using an ATF in your power steering system. These fluids meet Ford and General Motors (Dexron III) specifications for automatic transmission fluids. Doing what you propose certainly won’t hurt anything, but it seems excessive to do it every oil change, even if it’s only 1/5 of the total system volume. Mercon Automatic Transmission Fluid. Is there any PSF out there that meets this? I’m going to do more than just fill it up–I’m going to use a turkey baster and suck up what’s in the reservoir and then replace nearly the entire content of the reservoir with a fresh power steering fluid. You should however never use automatic transmission fluids in a Honda power steering system. Mercon lv is the latest ATF from Ford that’s factory filled in 2008 and later Ford cars. It is suitable where Dexron II & III, Ford Mercon V, Ford WSS-M2C202-B, Ford ESP-M2C166-H, VW G 052 162 and Mercedes Benz 236.6/7/10/12 is specified. POWER STEERING FLUID APPLICATIONS Mineral-oil based universal power steering fluids are usually suitable for any of the following: Applications that specify Dexron, Dexron III, Ford Mercon, Ford M2c-138CJ or Type A ATF fluids. The fluid is good if it’s bright red in colour with a sweet smell while a dirty and dark fluid emitting a burnt smell means it’s time for a replacement. This means you will be fine if you add Dexron Mercon in a ZF transmission at first, and then add the right fluid. These formulas comprise of base oils and additives and the license fee lets the oil company use the automaker’s proprietary ATF brand name. Not using any ATF, or using the wrong one for your vehicle, can lead to the transmission overheating and producing debris. GM improved upon the original lubricant and upgraded through multiple stages including Dexron II and Dexron III. 97. Shop our top range of power steering fluid & power steering stop leak fluid at SCA. Posts: 2,329 . So while VW and Audi have their own transmission fluids in varying numbers, most of them are ZF HP 19 Trans and are Dexron Mercon 3 with added friction modifiers. However, both contain the same seal materials that resist hydraulic fluid breakdown. So using the wrong fluid in both manual and automatic transmissions can quickly wear out the bearings and gears while producing strange noises and failure. Ford power steering fluid specifications. If you are lucky, just changing and using the right ATF is all that’s needed to rectify things. the manager said that that would work. Per GM, Dexron IV is backwards compatible in Dex III applications, but not anything before. feel free to comment- have a good day! This Valvoline Mercon lv fluid is suitable for all modern automatic transmission applications except for ATF+4 and CVTs. While old Valvoline type FA is generally harder shifting fluid, Dexron III is a lighter option. The power steering fluid is a little low. The Halfords Transmission & Power Steering Fluid is a synthetic product compatible with most modern high performance transmissions. Dexron VI is the latest GM ATF developed in 2006 for the latest six-speed automatic cars. However, you should note that the earlier fluids are not forward compatible with a transmission designed for Dexron 6. ATF and power steering, older (US, (DexronJP) models ATF Dexron II GM Dexron IIE, IID ATF and power steering, older models Remarks - This comparison table is based on GM Dexron and JASO standards only, for manufacturer standards please check with PDS and your vehicle manual or handbook. Anybody have any insight to the differences between power steering fluid vs automatic transmission fluid? The more-expensive Prestone came in 2 flavors: 1 for Asian cars, 1 for American cars. I’m using Dexron VI as I couldn’t find Dexron III. Get yours online today and pick up in store. $6.97 $ 6. Dexron III/Saturn was a version developed solely for some Saturn models. They also transmit the required hydraulic force while steering. You worry because Dexron VI is synthetic in nature and can ruin the transmission because of the reaction of the different additives in the two fluids. Compare with similar items. Motor vehicles no longer run on just petrol and engine oil. Always be careful, and avoid using multi-vehicle ATFs advertised to be suitably used in various vehicles. Is Toyota Type-IV ATF fluid also acceptable? Is it okay to mix power steering fluid with transmission fluid? Adding any brand or general ATF into their transmission can lead to immediate failure of the tranny because of lubricity change and hydraulic properties. The manual does not say anything about amount of power steering fluid. I think power steering fluid is just dexron III dyed another color (sometimes) in a different bottle with an inflated price . The best power steering fluid substitute and the safest one is automatic transmission fluid. Generally, keeping the power steering system topped up is entirely adequate. I don’t want to mess up and use the wrong fluid. The ATFs quality and applications are generally based on their own testing and not by tests conducted by the vehicle manufacturer. Power steering fluid is NOT “all the same”. Shop for Castrol 1 qt. This leads to the gradual but eventual wearing down of the transmission parts. General Motors (GM) produced the Dexron line of automatic transmission fluids beginning in the 1940s. Besides, if your vehicle is under warranty, using a fluid that isn’t approved by its manufacturer leads to voiding the transmission warranty. The main difference between the two is that ATF contains friction modifiers and detergents. It is backward compatible which means that it can be used in any vehicle that first used earlier Dexron versions, and can be mixed with them. It is always better to follow your manufacturer’s instructions about using the various fluids in your car. Lucas 10001 Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer 32 oz, Archoil AR9100 Oil Additive for All Vehicle. It’s the detergents in the ATF that helps keep all the contaminants away from the transmission. The friction modifiers in the automatic transmission help control the heat that builds up while the valves and pump operate in the hydraulic systems. Instead of using the car manufacturer’s previous set formula, they try to make a new fluid that meets various manufacturers’ original specifications. This was done because Ford started recommending using Mercon V for all transmissions that previously used Mercon. The vehicles that used to run on the old ATF formulas usually also run in the new ATF. You can still find Dexron III at most auto stores, and it's nice & cheap. As you won’t be changing transmission fluids as often as you change motor oils, it is always better to use the best fluids which effectively increase lubrication and reduce heat. Like most of the fluids in your vehicle, the power steering fluid gets contaminated with particles over time. Is Prestone power steering fluid compatible with Dextron II? As it is not compatible with the earlier Mercon fluids, it cannot be mixed with Mercon or Valvoline Mercon V if replacing them. Transmission fluids are important for your car because they help cool and lubricate the different tranny parts. Some power steering fluids need Dexron like Dexron power steering fluid, or other similar types of ATFs, while other car manufacturers are specific about using fluids that are specialized for the steering wheel but has slightly different properties. With so many features in them, it’s no wonder that there are so many types of steering fluids in the market in varied formulas. It is safe and okay to use automatic transmission fluid on the systems that are designed to run on them. Car: 2007 Toyota Corolla. [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B007VWRUQC” locale=”US” nw=”y” src=”https://myengineneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/515apFHnymL.jpg” tag=”myengineneeds-20″ width=”500″], [easyazon_cta align=”center” identifier=”B007VWRUQC” key=”wide-orange” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”myengineneeds-20″]. Differences between Power Steering Fluid and Automatic Transmission Fluid, About Valvoline Automatic Transmission Fluids, About Castrol Automatic Transmission Fluids. I called Prestone this morning and talked to someone at their 'Technical' hotline. Designed with Anti-wear System Protection, Prestone PSF protects against pump failure, squeals and clogs. He assured me their regular Prestone Power Steering Fluid is compatible with Dexron II or III. It is not only compatible with transmission seals; it has an agent as an additive that conditions seals to prevent leaks. There are lots of problems that may happen like the transmission slipping, not properly engaging gear, rough shifting or not working at all. It is not advised to do so because it may lead to the compromising of your transmission seals because transmission fluids have a different formula. Are there any Dexron II/III without red dye? In case the pressure is low because of viscosity, it leads to the clutches burning up. #257962 01/01/02 03:40 PM: Joined: Dec 1999. Is factory filled power steering fluid really Dexron II/III ? This is because Honda is rather particular about the fluids used in their vehicles. How much fluid do I need to change power steering fluid? Mercon SP is a Mercon V variant with additional additives while the Mercon CVT is meant for models with continuously variable transmissions. There is usually progressive damage done to the tranny where while it seems fine at first, it later starts to either slip or shift poorly. They usually have the words ‘Use automatic transmission fluid’ or ‘Use Dexron’ or ‘Use Mercon’ inscribed on the fill cap or in the owner’s manual. Dexron, Dexron II, IID, and Dexron IIE are the original GM Dexron ATFs but are not licensed by the company anymore. Both fluids, however, have similar seal materials that resist the breakdown of hydraulic fluids. This applies to manual and automatic transmissions. And if done, the steering pump may work only for a short time. Many bottles will say Dexron/Mercon compatible on them, that’s the one. Though expensive, Dexron VI synthetic can be used in any proportion with past model vehicles that have an automatic transmission, instead of Dexron 3. Well, it is basically okay to mix Dex 6 with Dex3 as long as you filter and replace the drained fluid, and there are no shifting problems. can I use any power steering fluid? In some cases, the transmission may entirely fail too. Is this a good PS fluid or its junk? Leakages are the most common power steering problem that leads to the seals hardening and debris wearing away the seal surfaces with time. It’s due to their additives which may end up blocking the power steering system’s actuator and a fluid pump. It is a fully synthetic ATF. Automatic transmission fluids are necessary for various reasons like lubricating, cooling and preventing rust in the transmission. This indicates it’s time that the fluid is changed. However it should not be used on systems that specifically require power steering fluid. They now have their specific automatic transmission fluids (ATF) and steering room fluids, for different brands of cars. It’s the petroleum companies who do that. - ATF fluids should match a specification or number stated in vehicle manual or handbook. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled. This means that they can easily withstand as much as 1000 PSI of pressure without heating up much while at work. 3. The difference between Dexron II and IIE was its oxidation inhibitors. They are usually just Mercon or Dexron III versions. ATF Dexron 2 Power Steering Fluid/Automatic Transmission Fluid DII 5 Litres - Made in UK Brand: Westway Lubricants . You can name them Type I, type II, type III or type IV. 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