I’m a new owner of a (very) old car. While investigating the inevitable puddles that now adorn my garage floor, one left my fingertip crimson. Much to my relief, the transmission is not the source, and I traced it to a power steering component. I checked the reservoir and sure enough, it’s full of red nummies. I’m aware of no PS fluid in this hue, so I presume this stuff is ATF.
I plan to recharge the lines with PS fluid after I repair the leak. But the presence of ATF in the system has me curious; it is just another hydraulic fluid after all. I’m soliciting opinions a/o experiences using AFT as power steering fluid!
this greatly depends on the car. On some vehicles, the transmission fluid can also work for P/S, on some you shouldn’t do this. What does the owners manual say?
If you have a Corvette club near you they are more than willing to help with questions .
Also you do not have an old car - you have a Classic Corvette and you should join a Corvette forum .
A Google search seems to show that General Motors power steering fluid is fine.
Such a thing is defintiely possible, varies from car to car of course. My Ford truck’s power steering uses the same fluid as its C4 automatic transmission, Type F. Power steering leaks usually occur at either the power steering pump, or the steering gear. Fixing a leaking pump is probably the less expensive repair, so cross your finger’s that’s what leaking. The other common leak spot is the high pressure hose connection. That repair is even less expensive, but isn’t a common leak spot for big leaks.
