Well I came back for Christmas break and for some reason the car had dumped some power steeribng fluid on the garage floor. Now my buddy just called me up and asked if I can drive him to drop of his e36 tomorrow. i obviously don't want to drive 60 miles with a small amount of fluid, so is it alright to use power steering fluid that isn't BMW specific, or am I going to fuck something up? 94 530ia btw. Thanks for any help, Andrew

Mine takes ATF. I've been using generic Dextron 3 for probably approaching 2 years, and it's been fine. Same really slow leak as when I bought it.

Mine takes ATF. I've been using generic Dextron 3 for probably approaching 2 years, and it's been fine. Same really slow leak as when I bought it.

Yeah I filled mine up about 2 years ago with this green bottle that doesn't even have English on it from the dealer (think it's called Pentosin), but I obviously won't have the time to get there or can't drive to the dealer that's 25 miles away. I'm wondering if I can just go to autozone and throw some power steering fluid in.

Yeah I filled mine up about 2 years ago with this green bottle that doesn't even have English on it from the dealer (think it's called Pentosin), but I obviously won't have the time to get there or can't drive to the dealer that's 25 miles away. I'm wondering if I can just go to autozone and throw some power steering fluid in.

Pentosin is always what I've heard is to be used exclusively. I found some at a big chain auto partgs store but go by a dealership and they should have some. I;d not venture to use anything other than the recomended fluid there.

DO NOT use power steering fluid in your BMW!! :nono

ATF only. Any regular old ATF that you get from Autozone will do, but do not use power steering fluid.

BTW, it should say what to use on the cap of the power steering fluid reservoir.

Andrew some of the V8s, my sisters anyway, requires like Pentosin 7.1CH or whatever - yes it is important. I have only found the fluid locally at the dealer or at an indy shop.

11s http://www.tdiparts.com/catalog/images/parts/pentchf11s.jpg

Thats what it is

If you have a saab dealership closer they may also carry the pentosin and will likely be cheaper. Just a thought

If you have a saab dealership closer they may also carry the pentosin and will likely be cheaper. Just a thought

But then you'd have to walk into a saab dealer... its not really worth the $2 savings.

There's no question the older cars take ATF (at least, the M20 and M30 cars). The question is whether the newer V8 ones still take ATF, or that green stuff. On my fluid reservoir cap, it clearly says ATF only, and I think that's confirmed in the manual. I take it you don't have your manual, or you'd've looked by now.

My suggestion is to call BMW NA and ask them.

Regardless of what it is, shouldn't it say on the cap?

I know what I'm SUPPOSED to use, but I was wondering if I can just temporarily throw something else in for the drive. No worries though, I actually found the stuff at a local Napa auto parts, I was so surprised they had it, cheaper than the dealer too!

Hi,
Mine had the same problem - it was a red fluid which leaked.
I topped mine up with ATF fluid NOT power steering fluid.

The leak on mine came from the pipe which exits the reservoir at the front - the metal clips fitted by the factory are good when fitted but over a period of time (years) they loosen and the pipe then leaks. I would suggest replacing the clips with a good strong jubilee clip - this fixed the leak on my power steering pipes.
Good luck .
Pete.