Are Transmission Fluid and Power Steering Fluid the Same?
2 Answers
Transmission fluid and power steering fluid are not the same. Here are the specific details about these two fluids: 1. Transmission fluid can be added to the power steering pump, but power steering fluid cannot be added to the transmission as it does not meet the required specifications. 2. Power steering fluid is a special liquid used in the car's power steering pump. Through hydraulic action, it makes the steering wheel very light, similar to automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, and shock absorber fluid. 3. Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is specifically designed for automatic transmissions. Early automatic transmissions did not have dedicated fluid and instead used engine oil as a substitute.
Last time I helped a friend check out a car, I ran into this exact issue. Transmission fluid and power steering fluid are definitely not the same thing! Transmission fluid is specifically for the gear sets, needing to withstand high pressure and high temperatures; power steering fluid manages the steering wheel's resistance, more like the lifeblood of a hydraulic system. I once saw a rookie at a repair shop mistakenly add power steering fluid to the transmission, and the result was gears shifting like a tractor. Nowadays, new car manuals label everything clearly, but even seasoned drivers should store them in separate bottles—don’t cut corners and mix them up. If you really can’t tell, just take a whiff—transmission fluid has a sulfur-like smell, while power steering fluid doesn’t have any distinct odor.
