Thanks for your reply.
Yes, it was regular STP power steering fluid. After driving on it a
couple of days, it's now making the same squeakig sound when I turn the
wheel as it did when it had run low. What should I do? It's a 1989
325i. The fluid level is now halfway between min. and max. Should I
add the Castrol Dexron III ATP fluid I've now got to bring up to max?
> > I noticed that the steering wheel fluid was almost completely gone -
> > way below the minimum on the dipstick. I added some STP fluid, not a
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> what year/model BMW we're talking about (they do make a number of
> models, and have for about 70 years now..)
Fred W - 22 Nov 2006 19:41 GMT
> Thanks for your reply.
> Yes, it was regular STP power steering fluid. After driving on it a
> couple of days, it's now making the same squeakig sound when I turn the
> wheel as it did when it had run low. What should I do? It's a 1989
> 325i. The fluid level is now halfway between min. and max. Should I
> add the Castrol Dexron III ATP fluid I've now got to bring up to max?
You should bring the car to a garage so they can drain the power
steering fluid and replace it with all of the correct type. You may
damage the PS pump if you continue to drive it as it is. Of course you
might not, too. It's your gamble.

Signature
-Fred W
Bob Smitter - 22 Nov 2006 22:23 GMT
> Thanks for your reply.
> Yes, it was regular STP power steering fluid. After driving on it a
> couple of days, it's now making the same squeakig sound when I turn the
> wheel as it did when it had run low. What should I do? It's a 1989
> 325i. The fluid level is now halfway between min. and max. Should I
> add the Castrol Dexron III ATP fluid I've now got to bring up to max?
You have far more serious issues than what type of fluid to add.
You have a leak, and a bad one. For sure, fill with Dexron,
but you need to get the leak diagnosed. It could be anything
from a loose hose to a leaking rack.