What kind of fluid for Power Steering in an FX35????

[rrack]

Just a little confused. After cleaning up the 2003 FX35 earlier in the week I noticed that the power steering fluid reservoir was a little low. I was just about to throw some synthetic fluid that I've always used in the Q when I saw the cap on the FX. It said something about ATF fluid only. Then I looked at the existing fluid. It looks red like Dexron ATF fluid. Is this correct? Does the power steering require trany fluid? Can I not use any standard power steering fluid from the parts store? Can they be mixed? What is the true fluid to use? That is not from the dealer? Just wanna make sure I'm not adding the wrong stuff like back in the early 90s when someone swore to me that my TurboCoupe required Dot 3 for the steering. Soon found out that was not so when I replaced the rack due to eaten up seals.

Thanks much, Robert

[Q451990]

It's Dexron III ATF, and was the factory fill on our G. I like the Mobil 1 version myself. I use something similar to this suction gun, and it's especially useful on the G since I need to pull fluid out through that small hole in the tank.

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...95468

It's a little confusing because the owner's manual specifies "genuine Nissan P/S fluid" but the footnote shows that Dexron AFT is OK too.

http://www.infiniti-techinfo.c...5.pdf

By the way, ATF is the specified fluid in your Q as well.

Heath

[maxnix]

A little BG seal conditioner would not be bad either.

[rrack]

Thanks much for the info. Yeah, I saw that in the manual as well. I just wanted to make absolutely sure everything was correct. I'll top it off this weekend. As for that suction gun, are you referring to that when filling the rear differential? Not understanding why I might need that and not just pour it in the reservoir.

[maxnix]

Nissan PS systems are usually not cooled and contain little fluid. There are machines (Sun and BG) made to simultaneously extract and refill the reservoir while the rack is moved from lock to lock. This works well for PS fluid that is in good condition (no discoloration). Fluid that has degraded more requires a complete exchange via a hook up to the low pressure hose.

Using a turkey baster to remove and then refilling is better than nothing, but won't affect fluid in the rack as power to the pump must be off, so not all fluid in the system can be replaced.

All depends how time and cost adverse you are to replacing rack and/or seals down the road. Urban driving is the most stressful.

[Q451990]

As for that suction gun, are you referring to that when filling the rear differential? Not understanding why I might need that and not just pour it in the reservoir.

I pull everything I can get out of the reservoir at each oil change and then refill by pouring it in to the correct level... kind of a partial p/s fluid exchange. Brian takes it to the next level with a full machine flush of the entire system. If you're having to "top off" fluid you have a leak somewhere that needs to be addressed.

Heath