You may have noticed that your car is making some strange noises lately. Or, maybe you’ve been having difficulty steering. If you’ve checked your power steering fluid and it’s low, you might be wondering if you can just top it off with transmission fluid. Before you do anything, it’s important to understand the difference between these two fluids. Transmission fluid is thicker than power steering fluid, and it’s not meant to be used in your power steering system. Adding transmission fluid to your power steering system can actually damage your car.
What is transmission fluid?
Transmission fluid is a type of hydraulic oil that is used to lubricate and cool the moving parts of your car’s transmission. The fluid also helps to protect your transmission from wear and tear, and it can even help to prolong its lifespan.
If your car’s power steering system is feeling sluggish or not working as well as it should, then you may be low on transmission fluid. Adding more fluid to the system can often help to restore power steering performance.
Before adding any fluid to your car, it is important to check the owner’s manual to find out what type of fluid is recommended for your particular vehicle.
What is power steering fluid?
Power steering fluid is a hydraulic fluid that helps to transmit power from the steering wheel to the wheels of a vehicle. The fluid helps to provide resistance against corrosion and wear, while also helping to keep the steering system lubricated. Over time, the fluid can become contaminated or low, which can cause problems with the steering system. Adding transmission fluid to the power steering system can help to replenish the fluid and improve the performance of the system.
Can you mix transmission fluid and power steering fluid?
One of the most common questions we get asked here at the shop is can you mix transmission fluid and power steering fluid. The quick answer is no, you should not mix these two fluids.
Transmission fluid and power steering fluid serve two very different purposes in your vehicle. Transmission fluid is responsible for lubricating and cooling the moving parts inside your transmission, while power steering fluid helps to make turning your steering wheel easier.
If you were to mix these two fluids together, it would likely cause problems with both your transmission and your power steering system. So, if you need to add fluid to either system, be sure to use the correct type of fluid for that system.
What happens if you put transmission fluid in your power steering?
If you put transmission fluid in your power steering, it could damage the pump and cause steering problems.
How to fix it if you put transmission fluid in your power steering
If you accidentally put transmission fluid in your power steering, don’t worry – it’s an easy fix. Just drain the transmission fluid and replace it with power steering fluid. Your car will be back to normal in no time!
Conclusion
No, you cannot put transmission fluid in your power steering. Transmission fluid is not compatible with power steering fluid and will cause damage to your power steering system. If you are experiencing problems with your power steering, take it to a mechanic so they can properly diagnose the issue and fix it.