power steering fluid/ ATF. will psf damage my system?

[redsx13]

after draining my power steering for some repairs, i went to my local auto parts store to pick up some fluid. but it wasnt until i topped off my fluid that i noticed it was a different color. thats when i remembered that nissan uses atf. I DONT WANT TO DAMAGE MY SYSTEM! do i need to go back to the auto parts store, call the guy a dumbass, buy some atf, drain my system , refill my system. or can i just use the power steering fluid?

[Ilvemynissan]

I'm not sure if it will damage the system, but i've done it for about 3 months once and everything seems to be fine.

[ashoe]

Power steering fluid will absorb water, which would not be good for your transmission. I would change it. I wouldn't really worry about it for a day or two. It also seems to be a lighter weight, so it might cause problems because of that.

[Goldeneagle]

Power steering fluid will absorb water, which would not be good for your transmission. I would change it. I wouldn't really worry about it for a day or two. It also seems to be a lighter weight, so it might cause problems because of that.

Ummm...I think you did not read the original post carefully. The original post is referring to the power steering system, not the transmission.

Anyway....Using power steering fluid is thinner as mentioned in the quoted post above. If you choose to use power steering fluid be ready to refill the container if and when you run out of power steering fluid. Other than that, using power steering fluid will not harm the power steering system at all.

[redsx13]

If you choose to use power steering fluid be ready to refill the container if and when you run out of power steering fluid.

do you mean refill te resivuar? y would i run out. are you saying that it is more prone to leekage.

[redsx13]

I haven't started te car yet, so im debating on weater or not to drain the system. if it were your car, would you?

[Goldeneagle]

Do you mean refill the reservoir? Why would i run out? Are you saying that it is more prone to leak.

Notice I said the phrase "If and when" within the comment you specifically quoted. Some people can run standard power steering fluid for months and never have to refill the reservoir. In my case, I had a leak in the power steering system and have had to refill the reservoir about once a month.

I haven't started the car yet, so im still debating on whether or not to drain the system. if it were your car, would you?

If my car did not have any, known, leaks I would fill the reservoir with standard power steering fluid for a little bit and then when I had the funds and the time, flush the power steering system and use ATF fluid. For the time being, I have not used my 240sx in a while and have not had to deal with power steering issues since my daily has no known leaks.

All in all, what fluids you choose to use, is up to you. It is always advisable to use the fluid the factory has deemed appropriate for the car, unless there are other circumstances which require a different fluid with a different viscosity or higher boiling point. (IE: Operating temperature, outside temperature, etc.) I will however digress to say, thinner fluids do seem to leak out of any system faster.

[redsx13]

hmm.. I think i got some atf laying around, so im gonna go ahead and drain out the PSF the fact that i havent started the car yet, means that the PSF still isnt in the pump and as not filled my entire system yet. o well just more work

[a_ahmed]

ill be installing a new hicas power steering rack and well i was confused about this whole issue...

The manual says also ATF... i dont wana **** up my new rack...

I also own some other cars and on the volvo i have the guys on volvo forums fill it up with atf fluid as well (manual same thing) and they fill it up with synthetic atf, they reported smoother, more solid and faster steering as a result.

I wonder if the same applies here? Anyone tried synthetic atf?

[Goldeneagle]

ill be installing a new hicas power steering rack and well i was confused about this whole issue...

The manual says also ATF... i dont wana **** up my new rack...

I also own some other cars and on the volvo i have the guys on volvo forums fill it up with atf fluid as well (manual same thing) and they fill it up with synthetic atf, they reported smoother, more solid and faster steering as a result.

I wonder if the same applies here? Anyone tried synthetic atf?

Stop worrying. Just use automatic transmission fluid, whether it is synthetic or not.

[redsx13]

well i just drained it, but now i dont know what kind of atf to replace it with. i dont have an owners manual, so some advice would be nice. (and by what kind i dont mean syntehtic or a certain brand name, i mean what type)

[Goldeneagle]

The FSM says

Quote »Recommend Fluid is Automatic Transmission Fluid "DEXRON™ 2" type[/quote]

[redsx13]

The FSM saysQuote » Recommend Fluid is Automatic Transmission Fluid "DEXRON™ 2" type

thankyou

not like it matters too much, but is that what is recommended for the automatic transmission, or is that wat is recommends for the power steering system?

[Goldeneagle]

Ironically, that is what is recommended for both the automatic transmission and the power steering fluid.

I ran through the FSM to double check.

Quote »Recommend Fluid: Genuine Nissan ATF or equivalent type DEXRON™ 2[/quote]

For Automatic Transmission fluid:See page AT-147 or page 496 in the FSM under "General Specifications"

For Power Steering fluidSee page ST-5 or page 623 in the FSM under "Checking Fluid Level"

[redsx13]

thanks much

[Cone Junky]

after draining my power steering for some repairs, i went to my local auto parts store to pick up some fluid. but it wasnt until i topped off my fluid that i noticed it was a different color. thats when i remembered that nissan uses atf. I DONT WANT TO DAMAGE MY SYSTEM! do i need to go back to the auto parts store, call the guy a dumbass, buy some atf, drain my system , refill my system. or can i just use the power steering fluid?

Hmmm, you're the one who bought the wrong stuff. Don't blame the parts guy for you not reading the label that says ATF.

[redsx13]

Hmmm, you're the one who bought the wrong stuff. Don't blame the parts guy for you not reading the label that says ATF.

umm.. he is the one that told me that my 240 uses power steering fluid instead of atf. he is the one who screwed up by assuming that just because it is a power steering system it uses power steering fluid. and i believed him. so ya, it is his fault. the only mistake i made was taking the advice of just another one of thoes retarted parts guys who dont know an alternator from a power steering pump.

[Phan]

hey guys i'm a total newb here, and i got the same problem as *redsx13 i filled my car up with HONDA!! power steering fluid and now i want to pump it out so i can put ATF in but... the thing is

What is ATF (auto trans fluid???) is it a transmission fluid? Dextron 2 am i correct?

would the auto transmission fluid from Nissan Dealer be a good idea? or can i buy any auto transmission fluid to fill my power steering?

[dlydrvn240]

yes you are correct ATF=Automatic Transmission Fluid...the type is DEXRON™ 2 (it will say on the container what type it is)

There is no need to get it from Nissan...any of your local parts store will have it and it should be cheaper...as well as give you options as to the brand you want to run.

[Phan]

hey guys i got NISSAN MATIC-D auto trans fluid at home and its DEXTRON III, do you guys think it's smart to put it in my power steering? or go search for Dextron II?

[redsx13]

hey guys i got NISSAN MATIC-D auto trans fluid at home and its DEXTRON III, do you guys think it's smart to put it in my power steering? or go search for Dextron II?

btw its dexron, no t

In answer to your question, typically, a higher number is equivalent to, and will work with systems recommended for its predecessors. It is simply a more refined and advanced version of the previous fluid with More additives and stabilizers. And since the 240sx originated in the 90's it called for the latest oil of the time however, dexron II is now obsolete, so the dexron III is what you want.

[Phan]

thx, yeah i'll go pump out my psf and put in matic d