OK....I need some more help here.

"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike) 07/28/2020 at 13:07 • Filed to: Power Steering

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Remember the other day when I said my car was leaking and I figured out it’s Power Steering Fluid?

Well...my car supposedly takes ‘PSF-III’ - there is a LOT of conflicting info on this fluid around the internet and it’s incredibly hard to find.

Lots of places I’ve been to say ‘ATF is fine to use instead!’ and a lot say ‘DO NOT USE ATF, IT’S DIFFERENT!’

...after a LOT of digging, I came across a supposed Technical Service Bulletin to Hyundai techs saying to use PSF4 instead of PSF3....but you can only use up to 50% PSF4 in a PSF3 system, and no more:

“ CHASSIS
07-50-002
FEBRUARY, 2007
ALL
PSF-4, HYUNDAI GENUINE POWER STEERING FLUID
DESCRIPTION:
This bulletin provides the PSF-4, Hyundai Genuine Power Steering Fluid, part number
and interchangeability information.
INTERCHANGEABILITY:
• PSF-4 to PSF-3 Topping off or adding up to 50% PSF-4 to a PSF-3 system is acceptable.
NOTE: Do not add more than 50% of the total system volume of PSF-4 to
PSF-3. The PSF-3 fluid should be drained and replaced with PSF-4 power
steering fluid.
• PSF-3 to PSF-4 Not OK (Do not add PSF-3 to a PSF-4 system) “

I seem to remember somebody here on Oppo worked for Hyundai, but I can’t recall who...if any of you work for Hyundai (or Kia, as the drivetrain/steering in the ‘06-’10 Accent is the same as the ‘06-’11 Rio!)....any chance you could let me know if there is an equivalent to PSF3....like some sort of ATF, or...?

Most dealers don’t seem to stock it other than in large capacities (drums or whatever) for the techs to use in the Service Bay...

E90M3 > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/28/2020 at 13:32

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The easy solution is to buy a new M5 because it has electric  power steering. 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > E90M3 07/28/2020 at 13:34

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But electric steering has so much less feel! :(

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/28/2020 at 13:36

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Can you use this? They say its compatible with PSF 3 AND 4

shop-teacher > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 07/28/2020 at 13:46

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This is what I would do.

TysMagic > E90M3 07/28/2020 at 13:56

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clearly this 

TysMagic > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/28/2020 at 13:56

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ah but it can have as much feel as you want! Bc it’s fake created feel 

Future next gen S2000 owner > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/28/2020 at 14:00

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I roll with the type specified by the OEM. The engineers tend to be smarter than all of us dorks on the internet.

If it calls for PSF4, get that. My old Saab ran a hellaciously expensive power steering fluid but expensive fluid is better than the fluid screwing up the system.

PartyPooper2012 > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/28/2020 at 14:03

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I know nothing. If they don’t want you to use PSF4 or PSF3. it’s only because like iphone umpteen, they have come out with new and improved PSFUmpteen. Just get that. Spritz some of it on the rear window and that will be all you need.

Now, while driving around... i mean working 25 hours a day to support your PSFUmpteen, keep in mind, next month they will be releasing new and improveder version of PSFUmpteen - PSFUmpteen+. Now with larger cap. Sooo  you know... save your money

Jb boin > Future next gen S2000 owner 07/28/2020 at 14:07

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Same thing with Audi/VW , there are no clear info on what is compatible or not except for their own fluid so i bought a bottle of VW steering fluid that doesn’t cost sensibly more than “ aftermarket” at 16€ for 1L .

And except if you have a huge leak you won’t need more than that.

and 100 more > E90M3 07/28/2020 at 14:10

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Eww. I mean, I can think of many rea sons to get an M5, but electric steering is never one. 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > TysMagic 07/28/2020 at 14:17

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Like the fake created engine noise in a lot of cars? :(

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > PartyPooper2012 07/28/2020 at 14:30

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Damn, I better get saving!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Future next gen S2000 owner 07/28/2020 at 14:30

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But the problem is that none of the dealerships stock bottles of it, so I’d have to pay the dealership a billion dollars to fix my power steering leak and refill the system rather than get my trustworthy local garage to fix it and refill the system for likely half the price...I mean, it’s just fluid...there has to be somewhere to get it!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Jb boin 07/28/2020 at 14:31

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If it’s a little expensive, I’m OK with that...the issue is that the dealership doesn’t even seem to stock small bottles of it for consumer purchase, so I’d have to pay the dealership way more than my local garage to fix the power steering leak and refill the system...

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 07/28/2020 at 14:34

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Hmmm, that would do it...I basically just need something to top things up enough for me to drive it to the garage, because it’s below ‘Min’ right now from leaking while parked the last day or two.

Dogsatemypants > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/28/2020 at 15:07

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As I read it, in your system the type 3 and type 4 don’t mix well. They are suggesting i f the psf you have for refill is type 4 it is best to drain the whole system and replace if you need to add more than 50% total system volume.

Dogsatemypants > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/28/2020 at 15:09

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That should tell you all you need to know right there. If they don't stock it, they are getting generic bulk from a local supplier for use in their shop.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/28/2020 at 15:12

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Fun fact: the power steering fluid was below min for several days and an autox in my Mini. It still had some but ya....its still working so I guess its fine! It had a big leak from the high pressure line...

Try not to go full lock and you should be fine to move the car around imo

66P1800inpieces > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/28/2020 at 15:20

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As a closed system with long interval fluid I stick with the OEM branded stuff. It really isn’t much more expensive and it is normally more closely tailored than an aftermarket “equivalent”. Many dealers set up online OEM parts websites so you can probably find one for Hyundai (try to find one in your state or nearby to keep shipping down). Find the fluid replacement procedure and remove all the PSF-3 and replace it with PSF-4. OEMs update fluids while trying to keep them backwards compatible. Often the change from the 2000's spec fluid to now is a change over to synthetic. Based on the limited compatibility it seems the PSF-4 may have other modifiers that in concentration don’t play nice with the older stuff .

Be sure to follow the proper process, some Honda’s you can remove the return line and start the engine and run the pump momentarily dry, but some VWs strictly say, don’t run the pump dry or with bubbles. That type of system often have a one way valve where you raise the tires off the ground, remove the return and turn the wheel lock to lock, manually pushing out old fluid as you add in fresh and avoiding a dry pump.

TysMagic > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/28/2020 at 16:01

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indeed that! Probably in the m5 too!

Reality though, I thought some of the complaints of fake steering feel were...fake. Until I experience how dreadfully heavy the steering becomes in “sport” mode in my f30. It’s really really weird 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Dogsatemypants 07/28/2020 at 20:50

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Yeah, I gathered that. I’ll have to pick up some on Thursday from the dealership...I called asking if they sold it at the local one and they do actually have some in stock (I specifically asked for ‘PSF-III’. Heard the guy on the line just call to another guy and sat ‘what’s the price on Power Steering fluid?’

....but newer Hyundais use PSF4 and older ones use PSF3...I’m guessing he just called it ‘power steering fluid’ because all they keep at the garage is PSF4...at any rate, I’ll pick up two bottles. I can use the one to top up my fluid to ‘Min’ to get the car to the shop and he can use the rest to refill the system. It only needs 0.8L apparently.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Dogsatemypants 07/28/2020 at 20:51

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Most local dealers don’t have it, but I found one that does sell bottles of it!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 07/28/2020 at 20:51

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I try not to go full lock anyway as when I do the belt squeals :P

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > TysMagic 07/28/2020 at 20:54

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Yeah....I’ve never driven anything with really heavy steering...mostly small cars with light power steering, and even our old ‘93 Caravan when I was a teenager didn’t feel too heavy!

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/28/2020 at 21:52

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Hehe, me neither!