2000 S70 Power Steering Fluid: Type F or Dextron/Mercon?

[Warren561]

I have a 2000 S70 NA.

What kind of Power Steering Fluid does the car use?

I've been told by the dealer that they use Automatic Transmission Fluid, Type F.

I've read on some forums (including this one) that the correct fluid is Dextron/Mercon III.

What do you all use? I've been "changing fluid" every 10k miles using a turkey baster to suck the reservoir dry and replacing with Valvoline Type F. Thinking about trying out the synthetic Type F fluid.

[Ozark Lee]

The owners manual is quite vague, as I recall it simply says a "quality ATF".

I run Dexron/Mercon in mine but I think type F is equally as good. Whatever you have been using I would stick with the same type.

...Lee

[ignatz]

I would not use type F. That was for Ford's at one time. I'm not sure if they still use that stuff. I use the basic Dexron III for my PS and tranny (98 S70 t5)....Castrol domestic car ATF....Type F is definetly different than other fluids and only belongs where its specified.

[geokilla]

So to bring this back up... Is Type F the 3309 spec transmission fluid? I need to add some power steering fluid and it just says ATF in my manual as well.

[Warren561]

So to bring this back up... Is Type F the 3309 spec transmission fluid? I need to add some power steering fluid and it just says ATF in my manual as well.

No. Type F is not the 3309 spec transmission fluid. Note that 3309 is only for the S70's with the 5 speed automatic transmission. S70's (and 850's) with the 4 speed auto require Dextron-III/Mercon fluid.

To answer your question on ATF for the power steering, Ozark Lee's posting above is probably the best answer. For the power steering rack, it probably doesn't matter what type of ATF (Type F or Dextron-III/Mercon) you use.

I was advised by a dealer once to use Type F. I used that a few times, but I've mostly used Dextron-III/Mercon. Mainly Dextron-III/Mercon because that's what my older MB uses as transmission fluid (I also use it as PS fluid on the MB).

The most recent PS fluid "changes" have been done using Mobil Synthetic ATF. The bottle says that it covers DEXTRON-IV (and Dextron-III/Mercon), but not Type F. I've not had any problems. I think its more important to change the fluid rather than the type of fluid used.

[erikv11]

So to bring this back up... Is Type F the 3309 spec transmission fluid? I need to add some power steering fluid and it just says ATF in my manual as well.

If you are the first owner, and have never had to add PS fluid, in your shoes I think I would remove as much as possible with a turkey baster, then refill it with something so you know exactly what is in there. PS reservoir is the only place in my 850 where I use synthetic fluids, because you only need one quart . I use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. Swithcing to synthetic should in no way be a problem, FWIW.

[jblackburn]

A 2000 takes Pentosin power steering fluid. It's kinda greenish. Do not use ATF with those power steering pumps.

1998 and earlier cars used a different power steering pump that ran on ATF.

[FlyingVolvo]

ATF works fine in my 2000 XC. Been using Mobil 1 Syn ATF for 50,000+ miles! The original fluid was Pentosin I think. You can use either, just don't mix the two. Pentosin is a higher quality fluid for PS than ATF however... it's price definitely highlights that.

[Thehamham]

Is there a more specific type of power steering fluid with "ATF" that can be used with a S70 1999 model? What is best used? The manual's description is too vague.

[MadeInJapan]

I use what is labeled Dex/Merc.... It's always worked for me in my S70 and earlier 850's. I don't think you need synthetic or 3309- to me that's over-kill. This isn't a transmission!!