Power Steering Fluid

for NC area I'd use dextron. engine oil is too thick with low temperature. Too hight pressure may damage PS pump and box. So if you use engine oil, do like I do turningg teering wheel from lock to lock, gently and slow befeore errand.

Anyway, use dextron ore other ATF, 15W40 is good for sunny Ca ore Florida!

 

I have always used ATF , never had a failure. Jmo!

 

I do too!

sometimes when I drain motor oil from PS and fill it with ATF I have to fix some minor leaks

 

Just don't do what one of our drivers once did. He put diesel fuel in there. He had several gallons of oil in dog box but went with diesel. Not good. His final act as a driver for us was when he brought in a copy of his medical form when it was time for his annual with the date changed with white out (I guess he didn't think I would figure out it was his same form from the year before or ask for an original) Sometimes you have to wonder.

 

So i called our shop to ask right...."oh you can use anything, powersteeering fluid or atf......its all the same"

Lol





American Trucker

 

hey, I hope someone is up to respond soon. My man is out of power steering fluid. Another driver gave him transmission fluid when he asked her for powersteering fluid. Was she just not paying attention, or is that what you are supposed to use for semi powersteering? Note: he's driving a Volvo semi

 

You can use ATF(transmission fluid) for power steering. I personally use hydraulic oil.

 

Good to know thank you. We've figured out that with trucking, you learn as you go.

 

I worked for a trucking company in SUNNY Edmonton, the P&D trucks were burning the PS fluid, ATF, and we changed all the PS systems to 15/40. When I first started at Freightliner we had a lot of twin steer problems and When we changed them to 15/40, no more burnt oil.
At -40 you can cut the top off a old style, Quart can and turn it over, it will dimple but not pore out, That was something we showed P&D drivers with automatics, when I worked at a Detroit/Alison dealership.

 

I always check mine every so often. Making sure it is working properly instead overheating. If it does happen and you have no clue, wait for a trucker to help you if he/she does stop and help you. If you do know what to do it shouldn't take you that long unless you are completely clue less. Hydraulic oil for power steering is better I never have an issue with it. That's all I know because I always use hydraulic oil for power steering.