2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission ATF+4 for Power Steering??

[cold Diesel]

Had my truck at the dealers yesterday for some fluid changes. I mentioned the horrible steering as was -22*F that day. When I picked it up they told me they had changed the PS fluid to ATF+4 and that it was standard practice in the cold weather up here Does anyone know if Dodge actually recommends this? Will this hurt my PS system? They told me they had been doing this for years with the diesels without a problem. Any knowledge here would help.

 

[mschoenheider]

I have seen a few car-b-ques as a result of using ATF as power steering fluid. ATF is flammable, so if you develop a leak in your power steering system, and it hits your exhaust manifold or turbo, watch out.

Mark

 

[yogibear]

The 03's come with ATF-4 in the PS pumps.

 

[RichB59]

Owners manual

says do not use atf in the PS unit it will cause componet failure ect. Just read it today. Mines 2001 so who knows. I'm using Val syn PS fluid and it works great. LOL





RichB

 

[illflem]

Check your manual. Mine says ATF will damage rubber parts of the PS system.

 

[cold Diesel]

Great..... so now I have to call and get them to flush it out and put in some of the valvoline I guess. I hope they are good about it as I have always had nothing but good things to say about my dealer thus far.

Thanks for the replies... ... suppose I should have read the manual first

 

[illflem]

Dealer must have thought you had an '03 or thought they all took the same. Just like when they thought my truck was a gasser and did a gasser only recall on it. I didn't complain though, got a set of the improved auto trans lines out of it.

 

[JHansen]

Alex, there is a TSB in the Chrysler system detailing ATF+4 as a factory fill in the '02 and up DRs, Dakotas, minivans etc..... I had Hanna drain, flush and refill my system with ATF+4 over 60000 kilometres ago... ... no problems to date although I still get groaning in cold weather-just not as much. IMO ATF+4 is no more flammable then power steering fluid. And like Larry says, it is a factory fill in the new diesels-so again IMO it won't hurt the hoses etc. This theory could be blown right out the window though if I go out this morning and a hose comes whistling off... ...



Jason

 

[cold Diesel]

Hey Jason,

That makes me feel better as the dealer told me there was a TSB for the ATF+4 for cold weather..... but didn't have it to show me. I would still like to see a copy of it myself though. I noticed they added a anti foaming additive as well as some sort of lubricating additive as well. I will ask them specifically what they put in next time I'm down from working in the north. Did they put any additives in yours when they switched yours over?

 

[JHansen]

Don't think so Alex-just straight ATF+4. I'll see if I can dig out a copy of the work order to check for sure though... ...