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Originally Posted by ass15
never looked into this but why doesn't it make sense to put ps fluid or ps for our cars? anyhow i used the STP power steering flud & stop leak. why the hell would you use auto transmission fluid in ps ? i'm just asking this cuz i just don't know and just going w/ common sense.
just found this:
"Under NO conditions is ATF to be used in power steering systemsATF will become very hot under loads and start to break down causing electrochemical degradation, this also happens with power steering fluid but not as fast was with ATF. "
http://www.tandmautomotive.com/1/inf...ing_fluid.html |
Good job on research. Now go read the owner's manual and FSM for
your car, then come back and take your foot out of your mouth.
ATF is commonly used in most Japanese cars as the systems are designed to handle it and work best with it. ATF contains detergents that breakdown deposits within the lines and hoses and allows for better lubrication as it's a thinner fluid. ATF also has a higher thermal point than PS fluid (your quote above is probably old or does not take into account modern advances in fluids) and does not gum up like PS fluid does when heated. Nissan suggests and recommends the use of Dexron/Mercon ATF in the PS system, that's what you should use. Domestic cars haven't made any strides towards advancements in PS systems for years so they're fine with using old technology, I'm sure that article was written without taking all points into consideration either.
Every car I've ever worked on that had issues with either the pump, rack, or leakage was filled with PS fluid. My own car killed a rack back in 1998 because I had rebuilt the lines and inadvertently filled it with PS fluid, not thinking better. The rack locked up and damaged the main gear within five weeks, and the return hose had become so clogged that it dropped considerable pressure to the pump.