# Why can't I find power steering fluid? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [April 1, 2014, 5:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-cant-i-find-power-steering-fluid/84426 "2014-04-01T17:52:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2014, 5:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-cant-i-find-power-steering-fluid/84426/1 "2014-04-01T17:52:15Z")
I am going to change out my power steering fluid in my 2002 Kia Sedona Mini van. I have been able to find out that my van requires PSF III. However I have been to a couple different auto parts stores and not one of them carry power steering fluid that says PSF III on it. What am I missing? Do the bottle not say that or is this type hard to find? ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-cant-i-find-power-steering-fluid/84426/2 "2014-04-01T19:19:39Z")
Psf3 has a spec sheet. Mobil 1 syn ATF meets this specs. Easy to find. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2014, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-cant-i-find-power-steering-fluid/84426/3 "2014-04-01T21:59:09Z")
PSFIII is a Huyndai/Kia product and seems to have been discontinued. This is from a Kia bulletin; _PSF-III is not available through Kia Chemicals: Use a high quality power steering fluid like Valvoline® or equivalent, DO NOT use ATF in place of power steering fluid._ Some models use PSF-4 which is available through PDC. Always use the correct recommended fluids as required! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2014, 11:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-cant-i-find-power-steering-fluid/84426/4 "2014-04-01T23:42:07Z")
thanks for the help, didn’t think it would be this hard to get the right power steering fluid… ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 2:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-cant-i-find-power-steering-fluid/84426/5 "2014-04-02T02:04:20Z")
But parts numbers change once in a while and part catalogs are updated…owner’s manuals are not. ex; Dexron became Dexron III became Mercon became Mercon V etc. My owner’s manual in one of my trucks clearly states to use dexron . Another said to use Dexron III ( which became Mercon ) in the transfer case…then Mercon became Mercon V and on THAT bottle it clearly staes NOT to use in transfer cases…so now we also have a part number labeled ‘‘transfer case fluid.’’…is that implying the ‘‘transfer case fluid’’ is therefore dexron III/ Mercon ??.------secret ! /;( So, needing to do this homework has become quite common place…WHICH takes aim at the bullseye of one of my gripes from a while back…; The idiotic ‘‘secrecy’’ of which fluids are which and therefore which are compatable or intechangeable. As a 38 year parts man it is STILL, to this day, a massive undertaking to get a clear answer. Some of the best answers are on the back of the bottles purchased at parts places. – on the back of a bottle of Castrol Transmax import multi vehicle ( transmission oil ) it says ; ’’ For Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and other imported vehicles. recommendend for use in vehicles that require ; Honda/Acura ATF-Z1 ( except cvt ), Toyota/Lexus type T, T-III, T-IV, Nissan Infinity Matic-D, Matic-J , BMW LA2634, LT71141, Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II, SP-III, Volvo, all specs. Also meets requirements of ; ATF+3, ATF-2, ATF+, Ford Mercon , GM Dexron III, H and prior." -------------and that’s just on ONE bottle. You can bet the Owner’s manual in ANY of those brands states simply to use only their branded fluid ! Some of the newer ones say ‘‘or equivilant’’ But THERE’S my beef …what the flip is ‘‘EQUIVILANT’’ ?? I took notice of the spec the o.p. said but have not encountered the ‘‘equivilant’’ yet. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 5:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-cant-i-find-power-steering-fluid/84426/6 "2014-04-02T05:15:39Z")
ken green, I’m so glad to hear that a professional parts guy even has this trouble. I have been driven crazy over fluid specs myself (including the one about which Dex is also Merc and which is not and what it even means if something says Dex/Merc and all of that…) Well - ok. I’m not saying I’m glad that YOU have trouble. I guess I’m really saying I’m glad its not just my own personal malfunction.