Another power steering fluid question - 2003 Liberty V6

[cbc58]

The power steering fluid on our car is low and we want to top it off. It is a light dark amber color. Have read through some past threads and fluids thread and there seems to be some question as to the right type of PS fluid to use.

I bought some ATF-4 but it is red. A service bulletin (TSB 19-005-03) says that I need to be using MS9602 fluid - and the bottle of ATF-4 says compatible with systems that use MS9602 fluid - but it is a different color (red vs amber).

We just want to add and not flush at this point. Can I mix the colors or what should I be using to top off our PS fluid? Confusing... tks in advance.

 

[LibertyTC]

Low power steering fluid means you have a leak somewhere. Check the PS lines for leak.
MS9602 standard is trans fluid -ATF+4 you will be fine.
Once a year, I suction out all the old fluid from the PS reservoir, and replenish it with new.

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The PS reservoir has Max Hot and cold as well as Minimum marked on the tank.

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[cbc58]

Thank you for the response. So it is ok to mix the fluids even though they are different colors?

 

[mrlavalamp]

I switched mine from amber PS fluid to ATF+4 by sucking out the old and filling the reservoir with ATF and repeat over and over and over.

There is going to be some mixing of the two as you do this, but by repeatedly sucking out the reservoir and topping off with new ATF you slowly replace all the PS fluid.

Not as good as a purpose built "flush machine" the dealership might use, but pretty much the closest to a safe flush you can get at home.

If it gives you any peace of mind, all of the ford trucks in my companies fleet are running a mix of ps fluid and ATF (mercon V ATF for those) for similar reasons (no flush machine, manual says ATF yet they had PS fluid originally).

 

[Shane Giggie]

The power steering fluid on our car is low and we want to top it off. It is a light dark amber color. Have read through some past threads and fluids thread and there seems to be some question as to the right type of PS fluid to use.

I bought some ATF-4 but it is red. A service bulletin (TSB 19-005-03) says that I need to be using MS9602 fluid - and the bottle of ATF-4 says compatible with systems that use MS9602 fluid - but it is a different color (red vs amber).

We just want to add and not flush at this point. Can I mix the colors or what should I be using to top off our PS fluid? Confusing... tks in advance.

I used STP power steering fluid in my 06 when I had to replace my power steering hose and it worked fine.

 

[tommudd]

Jeep came out a number of years ago to use ATF+4 when adding or replacing
Those of us who have been around since the beginning remember it well

 

[Billwill]

My 2002 Export 2.5 CRD came out with the Mopar Power Steering Fluid...Amber color.

By mid 2003 they were coming from the factory with ATF+ fluid and a Tech Notice came out telling early owners to take their Jeeps to the Dealer to get the Amber fluid drained and flushed out to be replaced by ATF+ fluid....no mixing of fluids allowed!

The Dealers here are useless so I have stayed with the Amber fluid...just once a year suck most of it out and re-fill with Mopar Amber fluid!

 

[cbc58]

Thank you for all of the replies. I bought some ATF-4 and am draining the old and adding this to try and recycle out the PS fluid. Called the stealership and they said that they recommend ATF-4 which is the same as MS9602. I guess the red dye in the ATF-4 goes away over time leaving this fluid more of a brownish color. Extremely confusing and in the end had to go with what the dealership told me.
Thanks again.

 

[tommudd]

QUOTE Extremely confusing and in the end had to go with what the dealership told me.UNQUOTE ???????????????????
After more than 15 years of being on KJ forums, working on hundreds of Libertys, I trust the advice and comments from those that have been around here a long time more than Dealerships.
Some kid out of college with a Degree in Art, knows nothing about the mechanical aspects of some things on these Libertys

 

[cbc58]

The service bulletin says use only the fluid MS9602. The bottle of ATF-4 says it is the fluid MS9602. Had to go with that in the end. Drained and filled twice so far and it was pretty dirty. On to my next issue - a hissing sound coming from the drivers side area...

 

[tommudd]

We tried to teach the right way , oh well