Power steering fluid: Which one is right for your vehicle?

Find the right power steering fluid for your vehicle

Decades ago, car makers used automatic transmission fluid as the power steering fluid. Back then there were only a few types of power steering fluid, GM’s Dexron, Chrysler’s ATF+4 and Ford’s Mercon and Type F. These days, many carmakers have switched to different fluids and using those older fluids can damage the pump. Here’s a listing of the recommended fluids by brand and model.

Carmakers specify a power steering fluid based on lubricity, viscosity and heat resistance

In other words, there’s no “One size fits all” fluid for all

You don’t have to buy Honda fluid from the dealer, but it must show that it’s formulated for Honda

vehicles. Honda, for example has issued service bulletins warning dealers and shops against using universal fluid in their power steering. The universal fluids have a different viscosity and can cause accelerate shaft wear. GM has also issued service bulletins concerning power steering fluid choices. They’ve found that aftermarket fluids are too viscous at cold temperatures and can cause pump shaft seal failure.

European and Japanese vehicles often have their own unique requirements for power steering fluid. For example, some European cars and trucks require a high performance synthetic-based PS fluid meeting DIN 51 524T3 and ISO 7308 standards.

Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo have different power steering fluid requirements that vary by year, make and model. They may even specify one of the many different types of Pentosin brand power steering fluid.

Japanese auto makers like Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota have their own PS fluid specifications. None of them can be created with a universal chemistry.

What about all makes all models power steering fluid?

When it comes to universal fluids or universal parts, you’re playing with fire. The fluid manufacturers can claim their fluids work in all makes and all models, but in reality that’s impossible. Some car makers specify a certain viscosity and many times those viscosities are mutually exclusive. Others car makers specify a different chemistry with different lubrication qualities. There is just no way one fluid can meet all the viscosity and chemistry specs.

Universal fluids often don’t contain:
• Viscosity improvers (VI) which prevent fluid thinning at higher temperatures.
• Anti-foaming agents that resist air bubble formation (Cavitation)
• The correct friction modifiers
• The exact lubrication properties the car makers want.

Cardone is major rebuilder of power steering pumps. When they noticed their rebuilt power steering pumps were experiencing high failure rates, they looked into the problem. Cardone engineers discovered the shops weren’t using the recommended power steering fluid. The incorrect fluid was causing power steering overheating which caused pump bushings and seals to fail.

When the engineers duplicated the same conditions in the lab (new power steering pump with the wrong fluid), the pump failed in just 20 to 30 minutes.

See this post for more information from Cardone

Here’s a listing of pPower steering fluid types by make and model

Acura P.S. fluid recommendations

Acura All models use Honda P/S Fluid 08206‐9002

Audi P.S. fluid recommendations

Audi All models (1984 – 1989) Pentosin CHF 7.1 G002 000
Audi All models (1990 – 2005) Pentosin CHF 11S
Audi All models (2006 on) Pentosin CHF 202

BMW P.S. fluid recommendations

BMW All models (1987 to 9/1991 production) Pentosin CHF 7.1 81 22 1 468 879
BMW All models (1990 on; check owners manual) Pentosin CHF 11S 82 11 1 468 041

Chrysler P.S. fluid recommendations

Chrysler, Dodge All post‐1998 models (unless specified) ATF+4 05166226AA
Chrysler, Dodge All pre‐1998 models P/S Fluid 04883077
Chrysler Crossfire Pentosin CHF 11S

Dodge Trucks Sprinter Pentosin 11S

Daewoo P.S. fluid recommendations

Daewoo All models Dexron II or III

Ford P.S. fluid recommendations

Ford/Lincoln/Mercury All models Mercon ATF

GM P.S. fluid recommendations

General Motors All models P/S Fluid 89021184 or 89020661

Honda P.S. fluid recommendations

Honda All models Honda P/S Fluid 08206‐9002

Hyundai P.S. fluid recommendations

Hyundai Check application P/S Fluid 3 or Dexron II

Jaguar P.S. fluid recommendations

Jaguar Check application Pentosin CHF 11S or Dexron III

Jeep P.S. fluid recommendations

Jeep 09‐05 Grand Cherokee, all engines WK Hydraulic 05142893AA
Jeep 09‐06 Commander, 5.7L WK Hydraulic 05142893AA
Jeep 07‐06 Commander, 3.7L & 4.7L WK Hydraulic 05142893AA
Jeep All post‐1998 models (unless specified) ATF+4 05166226AA
Jeep All pre‐1998 models and pre‐2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee P/S Fluid 04883077

Infiniti P.S. fluid recommendations

Infiniti All models Dexron III or equivalent ATF

Isuzu P.S. fluid recommendations

Isuzu All models Dexron II or III

Kia P.S. fluid recommendations

Kia Check application P/S Fluid or Dexron III

Land Rover P.S. fluid recommendations

Land Rover Check application Dexron II or III

Lexus P.S. fluid recommendations

Lexus All models Dexron II or III

Mazda P.S. fluid recommendations

Mazda All models Dexron III or equivalent ATF

Mercedes P.S. fluid recommendations

Mercedes‐Benz Check application Pentosin CHF 11S MB 001 989 24 03 10
Mercedes‐Benz Check application P/S Fluid MB 000 989 88 33
Mini All models Pentosin CHF 11S 82 11 1 468 041

Mitsubishipower P.S. fluid recommendations

Mitsubishi Check application P/S Fluid or Dexron II

Nissan P.S. fluid recommendations

Nissan/Datsun All models (pre 1994) Dexron III or equivalent ATF
Nissan All models (1994 on) Pentosin CHF 11S

Porsche P.S. fluid recommendations

Porsche Check application Pentosin CHF 11S or Pentosin CHF 202

Saab P.S. fluid recommendations

Saab Check application Varies by application

Saturn P.S. fluid recommendations

Saturn All models P/S Fluid 89021184 or 89020661

Scion P.S. fluid recommendations

Scion All models Dexron II or III
Subaru All models Dexron II or III

Suzuki P.S. fluid recommendations

Suzuki All models Dexron II or III

Toyota P.S. fluid recommendations

Toyota All models Dexron II or III

VW P.S. fluid recommendations

Volkswagen All models up to 3/89 production P/S Fluid ZVW 239902
Volkswagen All models from 4/89 production ‐ 2005 Pentosin CHF 11S G002 000
Volkswagen All models (2006 on) Pentosin CHF 202

Volvo P.S. fluid recommendations

Volvo All models (1995 – 1998) Penstosin CHF 7.1
Volvo All models (3/1998 production – 2002) Pentosin 11S
Volvo All models (2002 on) Pentosin 202

Pentosin applications: Some vehicle specifications state CHF 7.1, CHF 11S and CHF 202 can be substituted, but not mixed with, CHF 7.1. CHF 11S and

CHF 202 are fully compatible and mixable. Pentosin fluids should not be mixed with ATF fluids.

This listing may not be up to date. ALWAYS refer to your owner’s manual for the correct power steering fluid recommendation.

©, 2019 Rick Muscoplat