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Power Steering Fluid Types

('09-'13)
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55K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  CodyMM  
C
#1 ·
Good afternoon all.

So a question for folks here, since Im just confused.

About to perform an overdue drain and fill of the ATF in my wife's 2010 Forester X. I bought a case of Idemitsu HP fluid to take care of it. Since I will have some on hand, I figure its a good time to suction some of the power steering fluid out and put some fresh stuff in there.

Here is where my confusion begins.

The owners manual states that I can use Subaru ATF, Idemitsu HP, or Dexron III in the power steering fluid. The cap on the reservoir states to use Dexron III. I e-mailed Subaru to ask, and they are also stating that the vehicle came with Dexron III.

So, all signs are pointing to the fact that I should use Dex III in the PS. But Im curious as to why the HP fluids (and Im assuming it means Subaru ATF-HP, not Subaru ATF) are listed if Subaru is now telling me not to use them.

Is the HP backwards compatible with the Dex III that is supposedly in my PS system?

Thanks for any insight anyone has here!
 
#2 ·
The short answer is, use Subaru ATF-HP in the tranny and the power steering system. It's one less fluid you have to keep on hand.

Subaru ATF-HP might be backwards compatible with Dex III. I've looked at several ATF-HP spec sheets and saw no mention of this. A more likely answer is that it doesn't matter. The power steering system is hardly a high pressure, high heat application or friction sensitive. Basically, you just need a fluid in the system that won't rot the seals.

The various Dexron levels (Dexron is a GM trademark) differ primarily in their friction modifiers. That's important in an automatic transmission - much less so in a power steering system.
 
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