Confusion reigns on PS fluid

rainman14624 · Post by **rainman14624** » 12 Sep 2010, 11:30

After an exhaustive search in this forum and Google, I'm more confused than ever about what to use for power steering fluid in my daughter's 1/99 manufacture date S70 NA. The gasket on the fluid reservoir lid is red and the manual (I read about incorrect info) says ATF. I used my MightyVac to remove the fluid from the reservoir. After reading the manual, I refilled with Dextron III Pennzoil and two ounces of Auto-RX, an ester-based fluid that cleans and reconditions seals and gaskets. The steering effort was noticeably easier after the fluid change. The fluid that came out of the reservoir appeared to be an amber color, I'm guessing it was clear when filled and turned amber because of age. Anyway, am I OK with the Dex III-Auto-RX combo or do I need to flush with Pentosin?

VolvoTurbo850 · Post by **VolvoTurbo850** » 12 Sep 2010, 11:49

You should be good to go with the ATF fluid. I put in several of my cars and it never caused an issue. Cheaper than buying the smaller bottles of steering fluid!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 12 Sep 2010, 12:46

If the old stuff was amber colored it was likely power steering fluid. The book calls for ATF and if the book says that's what I should use then that's what I use. You may want to flush the system. The way I flush the PS is to suck all of the old stuff out of the reservoir, refill with fresh ATF, and then start the car and run the steering from lock to lock several times. I then suck it out again and repeat the process. It will take about three iterations to get things cleaned up.

The important thing is that you don't mix the two (ATF and PS Fluid), they don't play well together.

...Lee