ATF vs PS Fluid for Power Steering

[CapitalTruck]

Got some new power steering hoses installed in the ‘13.  I was glad they were available aftermarket at NAPA. It has been crappy weather here so I had a shop do it.  They refilled system with ATF instead of PS fluid. I flushed the system (myself) and replaced with PS fluid as is called for in manual.  Could I have just left ATF fluid in?  I was going to call the shop and just gently say “hey, make sure your techs check the specs”, but I don’t want to do that if ATF would have been a perfectly ok substitute.  I’ve had some vehicles that call for ATF, but this one obviously is PS fluid spec’d.

[CamGTP]

Generally speaking they are both hydraulic fluids and both do work for that application. In the end it seems to more so come down to the type of power steering system and the possible seals used on things like the rack and pump.

 

Ford vehicles for a longest time just used ATF while GM said use PS fluid. Honda/Acura even has their own specific type of PS fluid that should never be mixed.

 

I've used both in GM cars/trucks and never noticed any harm done to the seals or made a new problem because I used ATF. For you I guess you have peace of mind that it's using PSF like the manual says.

[Black02Silverado]

Not sure on our trucks but the Traverse I know was being converted to dexron VI fluid for the PS system.