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ATF for power steering fluid

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
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Danonly55
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ATF for power steering fluid

Post by Danonly55 »

My owners Manuel says to use ATF for my power steering fluid. Is this a type "O" ? :? :?
2014 Ford 3.5L ecoboost XLT
1995 Volvo 850 wagon GLE

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misha
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Post by misha »

Yes...atf.It is Dexron II or III.
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
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FLXC90
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Post by FLXC90 »

Not a typo-prior to 99 (I believe) they used ATF, check the owner's manual online for spec. Later models used power steering fluid (the green stuff) Don't mix the two.
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FlyingVolvo
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Post by FlyingVolvo »

ATF or regular PS fluid (Pentosin) works fine. Like FLXC90 said though, don't mix the two. Therefore, if you're not sure what's in there now and need to top up, I'd flush the whole system.

I've been using Mobil 1 Syn ATF in my PS system for about 8 years now.
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SuperHerman
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Post by SuperHerman »

What does your current fluid look like? Is it reddish to brown or greenish to brown? Both fluids will go towards brownish as they get dirty and old, but the base color is different. If reddish than you have ATF and if greenish then you have PS fluid. This assumes no prior incorrect service.

I think I read somewhere that some of the owner's manuals were incorrect so the suggestion to check on-line is smart as the proper fluid was updated in the on-line version.
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Danonly55
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Post by Danonly55 »

Thanks everybody for your input, My fluid is a reddish brown so I will top off with ATF. The flush will have to wait until next month.
2014 Ford 3.5L ecoboost XLT
1995 Volvo 850 wagon GLE

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" John Wayne
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erikv11
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Post by erikv11 »

ecbsykes wrote: ↑20 May 2018, 12:31 ... I've been using Mobil 1 Syn ATF in my PS system for about 8 years now.
Me too! In all of my P80 cars.
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k
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Post by abscate »

I’ve used ATF , generic PS fluid, and finally Pentosin in my 1999, to reduce the count of fleet PS fluid bottles
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misha
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Post by misha »

Danonly55 wrote: ↑20 May 2018, 20:46 ...The flush will have to wait until next month.
You don't need to flush power steering system.
All you need to do is to remove old atf from a tank with a big syringe and put in a new atf fluid.
1 liter is enough,do not overfill.
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS
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Danonly55
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Post by Danonly55 »

Thanks Misha, I like that idea better but what about the lines and rack system there should be a fair amount of fluid in those areas?
2014 Ford 3.5L ecoboost XLT
1995 Volvo 850 wagon GLE

Life is tough, but it's tougher when your stupid'
" John Wayne
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