Power Steering Fluid in Cold Weather

[Densetsu]

We've recently had a cold snap here (probably mentioned it in other posts), in the neighbourhood of -40C/-40F and below. Like other years, the power steering has gotten stiff, though it does feel like it's stiffer this year than past ones. It takes a bit of elbow power to make a turn, though still nowhere near as bad as vehicles without power steering.

There's no set interval in the FSM for changing the power steering fluid. The FSM says that ATF can be used to replace power steering fluid; should I judge the condition of the power steering fluid like I would ATF (dark colour, etc)?

[longhornsqx4]

Its quite easy to flush for $15 with a turkey baster. I used ATF fluid when I did mine in the summer and the steering felt better, but Id imagine I was still on oem fluid.

Suck out the 400ml in the resevior, fill with new fluid. Drive (i just did it everyday after work, maybe 10 miles and 40 turns along the way). Suck it out and do it again. I did it probly 8 times until I emptied the 4L jug of fluid I bought.

Fluid looked fresh as pie

[WINNIPEGS_MOST_WANTED]

Heard it reached -60 there with the windchill last night. Congratulations on out-colding Winterpeg!

[Densetsu]

Finally got around to buying some ATF. Took out about 10 oz last night, it was a nice dark red. Kind of surprised how dark it was considering it's just a hydraulic medium; I thought only the rigours of being in a hot transmission makes ATF dark.

Now I just have to keep doing this, then wait for another cold snap! Dammit -45C arctic cold fronts, where are you now?