Choosing the Right Power Steering Fluid for Your Vehicle

How to choose the right power steering fluid for your vehicle

Choosing the right power steering fluid is essential for maintaining the performance and longevity of your vehicle’s power steering system. The correct fluid ensures smooth steering, prevents wear and tear, and protects against corrosion and leaks. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you choose the right power steering fluid for your vehicle.

There’s no such thing as a universal power steering fluid or an “all makes, all models” fluid

You can find power steering fluids that say they work in “all makes, all models,” but not a single carmaker agrees with that claim. Each carmaker requires a fluid compatible with its power steering pump, and no single fluid can meet all carmakers’ specifications. It’s just impossible.

Here’s a fluid that claims it’s universal. How can that be when all car makers have different specifications?

Here are some examples of the special fluids required by Audi

I can’t list the specs here, but I’ll give you a few examples that demonstrate why no single fluid could possibly work in all power steering systems. In the listing below, note how many different power steering fluids there are for Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Honda, and Hyundai

Audi (1984 – 1989) requires Pentosin CHF 7.1 or Audi #G002 000
Audi (1990 – 2005) requires Pentosin CHF 11S
Audi (2006 on) requires Pentosin CHF 202
BMW All models (1987 to 9/1991 production) requires Pentosin CHF 7.1 BMW #81 22 1 468 879
BMW All models (1990 on) requires Pentosin CHF 11S BMW #82 11 1 468 041
GM specifies fluid 9985010 for most newer vehicles. If you buy fluid from the dealer, buy GM 89020661 or 89021184. If you buy in the aftermarket, look for AC Delco 10-5030
Ford specifies two different fluids; ESW-M2C33 which is actually Mercon V ATF. But older vehicle use ATF Type F fluids for power steering.
Chrysler uses four different fluids.
Many Pre-1998 vehicles require MS-5931 Chrysler # 04883077
Many Post 1998 vehicles require MS-9602, which is ATF+4
Newer Jeeps require fluid specification MS-10838.
Hybrid Chrysler vehicles require MS-11655.
Honda/Acura vehicles require 08206‐9002– a special synthetic fluid that cannot be mixed with any other type.
Hyundai uses either Power Steering Fluid Type 3 or Dexron

This image shows a page from the 2013 Ford F150 owner’s manual that lists the recommended power steering fluid.

What can happen if you use the wrong power steering fluid?

Power steering fluids differ in viscosity, base oil composition, heat resistance, and additive package. Using a fluid with the wrong viscosity can accelerate pump wear and noise. The wrong fluid can also deteriorate faster and form varnish deposits that damage the pump.

Power steering components are expensive, but fluid is the least costly part of the system. If you use the wrong fluid, you can damage the power steering pump, rack and pinion gear unit, and hoses. The wrong viscosity fluid can also cause noise and squeal. Why risk it when a short trip to the dealer guarantees the right fluid?

Does power steering sealer work?

If your power steering is leaking, you probably contemplate

I don’t recommend using any power steering fluid with a stop leak additive

adding a power steering sealer. Don’t. Power steering systems usually leak due to a cracked or worn seal. Power steering stop leak products aren’t like cooling system stop leak products—they don’t plug the leak. Instead, they soften and swell the seals and make them seal again. That works in theory but doesn’t work in the real world. Power steering systems generate up to 2,000 psi in tight turns. Softening the seal doesn’t work to hold in that kind of pressure. The seal swelling agents that cause rubber seals to swell also cause rubber power steering hoses to swell!!! So you may stop the leak temporarily, but you’re also destroying all the hoses in the system.

©, Rick Muscoplat