power steering fluid type?

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Gilbert M. Kowie - 24 Dec 2004 22:22 GMT

Greetings,

I have a 1997 740iL (E38), and I was topping off the power steering
fluid (it was at the "low" marker line). The vehicle does not have
self-leveling suspension.

I bought a Prestone Power Steering Fluid and put in about 5 oz. worth
into the reservoir, and brought it up to the "max" marker line.

Then I noticed the cap says "ATF Fluid" !!! Is this going to be a
problem? Do I need to bring the car to the dealer and have them flush
it out?
I'm about to take the car to FL (from PA, about 1,200 miles). If the
power steering fluid addition is a big no-no, I'd just park the car and
take the other one.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks, and happy holidays to all,

Gilbert.

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Jim Levie - 24 Dec 2004 22:46 GMT

> Greetings,
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> problem? Do I need to bring the car to the dealer and have them flush it
> out?

I'd empty the reservoir (a turkey baster works well), re-fill it with ATF,
and exercise the power steering by going from lock to lock. Repeat that a
few times and you've flushed the system. Then off to FL you go.

Signature

The instructions said to use Windows 98 or better, so I installed RedHat.

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Dick Schneiders - 24 Dec 2004 23:30 GMT

ATF and the stuff that is called "power steering fluid" are not compatible and
will not mix. At best your power steering system will not work up to par and
at worst you will cause your seals to leak.

You should drain the fluid totally and refill with ATF.

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Corey Shuman - 27 Dec 2004 14:56 GMT

Everywhere related to steering that says ATF usually needs you to add a
special type of oil, its an organic mix, I cant think of what its
called but its about $36 a quart. If you use atf fluid or power
steering fluid you will destroy the seals and your performance will be
greatly reduced. My suggestion would be to bring it to the dealer and
have it flushed out completely and then either have them refill it or
do it yourself with the proper fluid. Either that or just plan on
tearing down your steering rack and/or replacing it in the next few
years.

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Dick Schneiders - 27 Dec 2004 17:51 GMT

If you are thinking of the CHF fluids, like Pentosin brand, that is clearly
marked on the cars that need it. It is really only necessary on the cars that
have the self levelling suspension system, even if it says to use it on the
reservoir cap. There are two of these CHF fluids, 11s and 7.1. The first is
totally synthetic and the other is semi-synthetic. They are expensive, as you
say, but can certainly be found for less than $36 a quart.

Both of my 1991 525i's had CHF 7.1 shown on the reservoir cap, but one had ATF
in it when I bought it 6 years ago (it was red, the other stuff is green). I
have continued to use regular Dexron III ATF in it for the 6 years with no
problems at all in the power steering system. Neither of these cars have
self-levelling suspension. My other 525i came with the green CHF fluid in it
when I bought it 3 years ago, but developed a leaky hose, and I then changed
the fluid out to also use ATF.

If the car says to use ATF, then ATF is what it means, and not CHF. Certainly
you can use the CHF, but that is not required. The 1999 740i I just bought
also says to use ATF on the cap, and that is what it has in it and is what I am
going to continue to use.

ATF is certainly not going to destroy the seals, but the performance might be
slightly less in very extreme cold conditions compared to CHF.

Dick Schneiders

>Everywhere related to steering that says ATF usually needs you to add a
>special type of oil, its an organic mix, I cant think of what its
>called but its about $36 a quart.

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Corey Shuman - 28 Dec 2004 19:03 GMT

I ran ATF as noted on a 96 M3 and 99 328, while both were E36s I had
the steering rack develop major leaks and required eventual replacement
as it was cheaper to replace the rack then fix it. I maintained the CHF
on a 93 318is(e36) and never had any steering problems of any sort.
Steering rack was the exact same. The BMW mechanic who worked on it
also told me that the ATF fluid was the culprit as it was "thinner"
which allowed it to pentrate seals that the other oil would not. He
said it was a common misconception because most of the owners that came
in there only had the cars for 4-5 years so if they put the ATF in they
would most likely never see the damage, however the next owner a few
years down the road would be left wondering what the puddle in his
driveway was. I guess its just preference but I would rather do it
right, than do it cheap. I figure there is a reason that the BMW put
that in, and it wasnt because ATF fluid was not available.

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Dick Schneiders - 28 Dec 2004 21:03 GMT

And why do you think that BMW states to use ATF in the majority of their cars
and sends the cars out from the factory with ATF? Because it is bad for them,
or not right?? I can agree with your "preference" on the cars where CHF is
recommended, even though I disagree with the reasons. However, on the cars
where ATF is the recommended fluid, CHF is not necessary.

>I guess its just preference but I would rather do it
>right, than do it cheap. I figure there is a reason that the BMW put
>that in, and it wasnt because ATF fluid was not available.

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