In the day and age we live in, you can’t always make the easy assumptions when it comes to your car or truck. Cars and trucks have gotten more complicated than ever before. They have on-board computers, big touch-screen displays, the ability to talk to you, take your phone calls, and get you connected on Facebook, and most recent, they even do some of the driving for you! Now, whether you think the brake assistance in some of the new cars is a handy feature that will keep you from rear-ending someone, or a surprisingly annoying feature that doesn’t let you be the great driver you are, we can all agree that cars today are not the same as they were 20 or 30 years ago. Tools that used to work on old cars, like a mechanics stethoscope, saw dust in the radiator, or bigger carburetor jets, won’t help you in diagnosing or fixing your new car’s problems.
How does a car’s power steering system work?
One of the things that has changed over the years is the power steering system. Power steering systems today accomplish the same task they did back in the 50s. The purpose is to assist the driver in turning the wheels at low speeds or at a stop. The reality is the big tires on your heavy vehicle today require quite a bit of strength to turn while your vehicle is traveling slowly or stopped. However power steering systems today have become more advanced with some including speed sensitive steering assist or 4 wheel steering. Also as cars have gained more and more accessories on the motor, and more complex suspension systems, the power steering systems have become increasingly more difficult to service.
What is power steering fluid?
Along with all these changes to power steering systems, many do not use “power steering fluid” as the working fluid. In its basic form, your power steering system has a pump which is powered by your engine that pumps high pressure fluid down to your steering rack or gear. As you turn your steering wheel, this high pressure fluid assists your wheels in turning making it easier for you to turn the steering wheel. The working fluid in your power steering system can be one of a variety of fluids. There are many different fluids used in different systems depending on the types of materials the power steering system is made from to reduce wear, corrosion and, in some cases, resistance and friction in the system to increase fuel economy. Many of these fluids will not serve all the functions they are intended to if they are mixed or added to the wrong system. The wrong fluid, or fluid mix, in the wrong system can cause severe damage and may render your power steering system inoperable.
If your vehicle doesn’t use a fluid called “power steering fluid”, the other most commonly used working fluid is automatic transmission fluid. Automatic transmission fluid works well in some power steering systems since it is a light weight fluid designed to handle high temperatures and pressures without foaming or losing its ability to lubricate a system. This reality however does not simplify the power steering fluid search much as there is also many different kinds of automatic transmission fluids for different makes and model vehicles
The best way to find out what type of power steering fluid you should add to your vehicle is to consult your vehicles owner’s manual. There should be a section on fluid capacity and type where it will list what type of power steering fluid you can safely add. You may also check the cap on the power steering fluid reservoir as the proper type of fluid is often listed there. If neither of these sources can help you, you can try consulting this chart for general guide lines on power steering fluid usages: http://www.aa1car.com/library/power_steering_fluid_applications.pdf
How do I add power steering fluid to my car?
If you need to add power steering fluid, you must have a leak somewhere in your power steering system to have lost fluid. When adding the appropriate power steering fluid to your vehicle, also add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to the reservoir. BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak is an advanced stop leak additive that has no particulates or other harmful additives that will destroy your seals or hoses over time. BlueDevil is safe to use in even new vehicle power steering systems and will stop your leak so you do not have to continue adding power steering fluid.
BlueDevil Products can be found on Amazon.com or at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, and other major auto parts retailers.
61 responses to "Which Power Steering Fluid Should I Use?"
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which type of power steering fluid should I use for my car?
Car specifications;
– Suzuki escudo 2005
– V6 6cilinders.
Sandeep-
Please refer to your owners manual for the exact specs. Most Suzuki’s around that year use Dextron Automatic Transmission Fluid in their power steering unit. Again, please refer to the owners manual for the factory recommendation.
Thank You!
-BDP
Can I use blue devil in a lincoln crank mounted power steering pump which only uses ford type f atf
? Thanks
Paul-
The BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak is safe and compatible to use for the application you’ve described, however, it would not be intended for a power steering pump leak. Replacing the power steering pump would be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2003 Volkswagen jetta. My manual and my cap do not say what kind of power steering to use. I bought both g0040052 / g004012 if my memory serves correctly. The 52 is mineral based and that’s the only difference. Dealership was of no help either.
Jeffrey, usually the dealership is the authority on the type of fluids your vehicle needs, so you may try another dealership in town. Since your car is made in Germany we’ve also had trouble tracking down the particular type of fluid your power steering system needs. It seems like a product called “Pentosin CHF 11S” is generally accepted by many VW enthusiasts as the correct type of power steering fluid for your car, but we recommend confirming that with your dealership.
I need onfo for the 2001 Ford E-250 cargovan power steerin fluid specs.what is the
right type fluid to use.No need to csrew -up the vehicle. Thanks !
Sir-
Ford recommends using MotoCraft Mercon ATF in your 2001 E250.
Thank you!
-BDP
What fluid should I use on my 1973 Mercury Cougar? The owner manual says do not use automatic transmission fluid. The specification is for M2C128-A. I have found fluid with specifications of M2C134D and M2C195A. Are either of these suitable?
Thanks.
Peter,
Thanks for your question about your Mercury Cougar. Unfortunately with a car that old you’re going to have trouble finding the factory recommended fluids. You should be able to call a Mercury dealership and they will be able to tell you what fluid now exceeds the standards of M2C128-A. You may also consider finding a classic car restoration shop in your area and asking their opinion. Many classic Ford enthusiasts say Type F automatic transmission fluid will work just fine in the power steering systems of older Ford cars.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 2007,losing power steering fluid. What type should I use to keep it going until I can get it fixed?
Christina-
We recommend using 1/3 of a bottle of BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak. You can expect to start seeing results after about 100 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
What power steering fluid should I use for my 1990 Ford F-150 custom
Kelly-
Thank you for asking about your Ford F-150. We recommend using the BlueDevil Synthetic Power Steering Fluid, currently available at AutoZone locations. Our Power Steering fluid is compatible with all vehicles and contains a synthetic formula, great for older vehicles. Feel free to contact our technical support team at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
What type of power steering fluid to use for a 2009 ford edge
Gloria-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Edge. We recommend using the BlueDevil Synthetic Power Steering Fluid, currently available at AutoZone locations. BlueDevil Power Steering fluid is compatible with all vehicles and contains a synthetic formula, great for older vehicles. Be sure to check your owners manual for proper amount of fluid to add.
Thank you!
-BDP
which type of power steering fluid should I use in my holden Vectra 2006
Kathy-
The factory recommendation should be listed in the owner’s manual. If you do not have access to the owner’s manual you may contact the dealership and they would be able to look it up for you.
The other option would be to use BlueDevil Synthetic Power Steering Fluid. This fluid is compatible with your mother’s vehicle and is a long life formula that keeps your power steering system at its peak performance. This product may be purchased through AutoZone.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi I have a Vauxhall Zafira which uses an electric power steering pump. I have seen that some fluids of this are not recommended for electric power steering pumps. Is your product ok to be used with electric power steering systems. The fluid that is recommended to be used by the manufacturer is Pentosin.
Adrian-
Yes, BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak is 100% safe and compatible to use with Pentosin fluid. We recommend adding 1/3 of a bottle of BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak for proper treatment. Expect to start seeing results after about 100 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
What type of fluid do you recommend for a pontiac grand prix 2006? Please and thank you
Dominic-
We recommend using the BlueDevil Synthetic Power Steering Fluid with Stop Leak, currently available at AutoZone. The product is compatible with your Pontiac and will give you extra protection against wear and tear. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Please help what kind of power steering fluid should I use for a 1998 Oldsmobile intrigue
Donna-
We recommend using the BlueDevil Synthetic Power Steering Fluid for your Oldsmobile Intrigue http://store.gobdp.com/synthetic-power-steering-fluid-00218/. This would be perfect for older mileage vehicles and also contains a stop leak, to prevent leaks from occurring down the road. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
what sort of power steering fluid for my 2001 mondeo 2.0 diesel red or green ???
Terry-
You can use the BlueDevil Synthetic Power Steering Fluid http://store.gobdp.com/synthetic-power-steering-fluid-00218/ for your Mondeo 2.0 diesel. This product is great for higher mileage vehicles and contains a stop leak additive, to prevent future leaks from occurring.
Thank you!
-BDP
I got a 2011 Honda Accord Ex-L V6 and my dealership told me I had a leak in it. It doesn’t look as bad, I check it regularly to make sure it’s leveled though. I was thinking about using this and see if it improves. Any recommendations on how much to use and if it’s okay with mixing with what’s in my resovoir if it’s like halfway from its recommended level.
Anthony-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Accord. You would be adding 1/3 of the BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to the power steering reservoir. You could then top it off with power steering fluid to get the system up to the proper level. You should expect to see results after about 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
On my Toyota corolla spacio’s reservoir cap it has been written dexron, now I was wondering if I can use the same dexron I have been using as transmission fluid on the steering system
Jonte-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Corolla. There are a number of different systems that use automatic transmission fluid for power steering. These systems will normally use the words “Use automatic transmission fluid,” Use Dexron” or “Use Mercon” written on the fill cap or in the owner’s manual. Automatic transmission fluid is fine for the systems designed to work with it, but should never be used in a system that calls for power steering fluid.
Thank you!
-BDP
I am the original owner of a 1990 Mercedes Benz 500Sl with 77,000 miles on the odometer. I noticed a gradual leak of the power steering fluid at the reservoir. I added the recommended amount of Blue Devil stop leak and very soon after that I topped off the fluid with Prestone European power steering fluid, a synthetic and recommended for Mercedes. I didn’t know about Blue Devil power steering fluid at this point. Within two days of adding the Prestone the steering wheel locked up and just prior to that I heard a growling noise. Fortunately this happened just prior to parking in the garage. So I surmised that the power steering pump had failed. I firmly believe that the stop leak application did no harm but I am concerned that adding the Prestone fluid might be the culprit for the pump to freeze up. I realize I may have made a mistake by not flushing the entire system prior to adding the stop leak. Do you think that the foregoing was the culprit or coincidentally did the pump decide to expire? So. I have to get a new pump installed. I’m just curious, thanks for your response. P.S. Incidentally, I have used your main seal formula and it worked great!
Ray-
Thank you for asking about your Mercedes Benz 500sl. The BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak would be compatible with the Prestone power steering fluid, so I don’t believe that would have been the issue. However, if there was some type of buildup on the rubbers in the system, and the product was able to revitalize those rubbers, hence knocking the buildup off, it may have done so causing the power steering pump to go out. At this point, replacing the power steering pump and flushing the power steering system should get the vehicle back to normal operation. Feel free to contact our technical support team at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
hi.im driving a 2012 citroen ds 5.my power steering fluid is leaking.which brand of fluid will be the best option to buy?
Titus-
Thank you for asking about your Citroen DS5. Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/). This would help stop the loss of power steering fluid and allow you to add your regular power steering fluid without fear of losing it. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I use a Toyota Avalon 1999 model what which brand of fluid should I use please?.
Samuel-
We recommend using the BlueDevil Synthetic Power Steering Fluid with Stop Leak (http://store.gobdp.com/synthetic-power-steering-fluid-00218/) for you Toyota Avalon. Perfect for vehicles with higher mileage, and it contains a stop leak, to prevent future leaks from happening.
Thank you!
-BDP
What power steering fluid do I use for a 2005 GMC Envoy XL?? Should I use the Blue Devil Stop Leak along with a specific fluid??
Brenda-
You may use the BlueDevil Synthetic Power Steering Fluid (http://store.gobdp.com/synthetic-power-steering-fluid-00218/) for your GMC Envoy XL. The fluid is safe and compatible with your vehicle and also contains a stop leak, to prevent power steering fluid leaks from occurring.
Thank you!
-BDP
What kind of power steering fluid or transmission fluid can i use in a 67 ElCamino when i clean out the power steering system.
What kind of power steering fluid or transmission fluid can i use when cleaning out 67 chev ElCamino power steering system.
Bob,
Thanks for your question about your El Camino. You should use power steering fluid, not transmission fluid for the power steering system in your car. You can use GM fluid, or BlueDevil Synthetic Power Steering Fluid available here: http://store.gobdp.com/synthetic-power-steering-fluid-00218/.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hello,
I have a 2001 PT Cruiser that I need to add power steering fluid to. The cap does not show what type, the manual informs me to contact a dealer which tells me their manuals don’t go back that far. My haynes car manual informs me for a 2001 PT Cruiser to us Mopar power steering fluid and for 2002 and beyond use Mopar ATF +4. Is this correct? I really don’t want to mess this up.
Mark-
According to a technical service bulletin from Chrysler, the 2001 PT Cruiser should be using ATF+4. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi I have a 2005 Audi A6 Quattro 8 cyl 4.2. On the grey cap it says I need a mineral power steering fluid. But most say synthetic if go to a stockist. It was very low and a a topped up with mineral although they were going to use synthetic) as says so on cap. Manual doesn’t specify. Can you confirm which as can’t find info anywhere.
Si-
Thank you for asking about your Audi A6 Quattro. It appears the original power steering fluid used was CHF 7.1, which is a mineral based fluid. If you are unsure, as to which fluid to use, you may want to contact or stop by your local Audi dealership for a information on the factory recommended power steering fluid.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
Hi: I am driving a Toyota Corolla 2002. What brands of power steeling fluids that I can use? Please advice and reply to myluckystar250@gmail.com
Ben
Ben-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Corolla. According to your owner’s manual, the type of power steering fluid Toyota recommends would be Dexron II or III. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi I have a 2000 Honda Accord Coupe V6 what fluid should I use?
James-
You would want to use Honda Genuine Power Steering Fluid for your Honda Accord. This is the fluid the dealership would recommend.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2008 Honda Accord V6 in which I have replaced the power steering pump and rack. Does using Honda’s power steering fluid still apply?
Michael-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Accord. Yes, you would still want to use the power steering fluid recommended by Honda going forward.
Thank you!
-BDP
I bought an ’05 Chrysler Town and Country in the summer of 2016. I noticed that as the outside temperature dropped, so did the power steering fluid in the reservoir. I went from just topping it off every few weeks to every week and needing more and more ps fluid. I was adding regular ps fluid because that was what was in it when I purchased the vehicle. I soon learned that these Chrysler minivans call for ATF +4 as power steering fluid. I used a turkey baster to suck out the ps fluid, then added the red tranny fluid. As the days grew colder, the leak worsened. Then as spring came and temps increased, the leak slowed…until I added Lucas tranny stop leak. I went from adding a little fluid every 3 to 5 weeks, to every week or so, to every 2 or 3 days. Now, it’s just about everytime I drive it. It doesn’t matter if I drive 200 miles or 10, it’s empty. It’s leaking from somewhere, but no leaks are visible, only bright red puddles on the ground.
Can I use BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak with the ATF+4?
Tracie-
Thank you for asking about your Chrysler Town and Country. Yes, BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak is safe and compatible to use with ATF+4. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
We have a 2011 BMW 328i with leaky rack and pinion. The power steering fluid is CHF 11S. Is your Blue Devil Power Steering Stop Leak compatible with CHF 11S? I would like to try a stop leak before the cost of replacing the rank and pinion. Thanks, Jack
Jack-
Thank you for asking about your BMW 328i. Yes, the BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak is safe and compatible to use with CHF 11S. You will start off by adding 1/3 of the bottle into your power steering reservoir, and should expect to start seeing results after approximately 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello, i have a Ford Edge 2008, which power steering fluid can i use, all i can see in my region is Prestone Power Steering Fluid + Stop Leak can i use this?
Collins-
The Mercon V fluid is the recommended power steering fluid for your Ford Edge.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello,
I have a ford granada ghia 5.0 V8 1980, wich power steering fluid should I use?
Aron-
We are not able to find the specific, factory recommended power steering fluid for your Ford Granada, however, you may be able to visit your local parts store for an alternative solution.
Thank you!
-BDP
Is Blue Devil power steering stop leak compatible with a CHevy Traverse?
Wayne-
Yes, the BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak is safe and compatible to use in your Chevy Traverse.
Thank you!
-BDP