Power Steering Fluid

[Pigoo]

Can someone please tell me what sort of power steering fluid I'm supposed to use in a 1998 528i?

Your supposed to use automatic transmission fluid...but the owners manual doesn't say what kind (ATF+3, Dextron III, etc.).

I can't believe that the owner's manual doesn't say what kind of ATF to use...and even more unbelievable...the manual says if it's low you are supposed to take it to the dealer...because it takes some sort of special skill to add fluid to the reservoir!!!

Thanks

[TyroneShoe]

Pretty much any Dexron IV is a safe bet. Avoid any products with special additives like "stop leak", etc. Use synthetic. I use Redline ATF but I know other people on here use Royal Purple or Mobil 1

[Cyrix2k]

I used the generic one-size-fits all stuff from Advance Auto in my 318. It works great - much better than the black (power steering fluid!?) that I flushed out. It's a wonder the power steering pump and rack still work.

[Pigoo]

Thanks for the replies.

I have both ATF+3 and Dextron III in the garage...just didn't know which one to use for the power steering in a 98 528i.

I can't believe there isn't some sort of label under the hood indicating what type of fluid to use...AND that the owner's manual doesn't even list it either!!!

I hate asking such a lame question...thanks for the help!

- Nick

[TyroneShoe]

Thanks for the replies.

I have both ATF+3 and Dextron III in the garage...just didn't know which one to use for the power steering in a 98 528i.

I can't believe there isn't some sort of label under the hood indicating what type of fluid to use...AND that the owner's manual doesn't even list it either!!!

I hate asking such a lame question...thanks for the help!

- Nick

Because they want you to get it serviced at the stealership

[romeroom]

OK, I'm new to BMW. When I see under the hood to use "CHF 11" fluid ONLY, am I correct to assume that I can use others as well?

[Jason5driver]

OK, I'm new to BMW. When I see under the hood to use "CHF 11" fluid ONLY, am I correct to assume that I can use others as well?

Power steering fluid for the E39 can be ANY dexron III ATF.

There is nothing special to it.
Reference:
http://www.amsoil.com/scripts/runisa...msoiloaf:index

[Qsilver7]

OK, I'm new to BMW. When I see under the hood to use "CHF 11" fluid ONLY, am I correct to assume that I can use others as well?

No...you are NOT correct in assuming that you can use just any other fluid when you are being told to use CHF 11 S ONLY.

I'm assuming that this is for your e34 530i...your power steering reservoir is filled with Pentosin CHF 11 S hydarulic fluid... DO NOT put ATF in your power steering system!!!!

Click this link below and see section 4.0 for BMWs that use CHF 11 S...all other BMWs that use ATF..refer to sections 3.0 & 5.0: http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q...0Type-List.pdf

[maardein]

I just did my power steering fluid, and I bought it from the dealer. I think it says 'ATF D' on the package, but I can check that tomorrow if you'd like.

[Qsilver7]

Just an FYI...the person that is NOW asking the question is RomeRoom (see post #6).

This is a revived thread...the original poster is not the one asking the question. And if you look at RomeRoom's car info...it states that he has a 1994 (e34) 530...which means that there's a 99% chance that his car DOES use Pentosin hydraulic fluid...and THAT is what he needs to continue to use to replace or refill his power steering reservoir.

I hope RoomRoom figures out that he revived an old thread in the WRONG forum...if not...some of us have wasted a lot of time finding the answer to his question which he may never see.

[romeroom]

Just an FYI...the person that is NOW asking the question is RomeRoom (see post #6)....And if you look at RomeRoom's car info...it states that he has a 1994 (e34) 530...which means that there's a 99% chance that his car DOES use Pentosin hydraulic fluid...and THAT is what he needs to continue to use to replace or refill his power steering reservoir. ...WRONG forum...if not...wasted a lot of time finding the answer to his question which he may never see.

First, my apologies for trespassing in the wrong forum with my question. Not only do I not "know German" but it looks like I can't read English either. I'm very new to BMW and this forum, yet thought I was doing the right thing by searching for information before posting a new thread.

You are correct all the way around--about my question and the car in need of fluid. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I was trying to avoid the high price of "dealer vendored" fluid since nobody else (like NAPA) seems to have what I need where I live.

If I read the information at http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q...0Type-List.pdf correctly (obviously, probably not) it seems like ATF or CHF 11 can be used, as long as they are not mixed, recommending either be fully drained from the system before deciding on what to put in.

Not knowing what the previous owner put in, is there a way of determining if its CHF 11 or ATF with some accuracy by looking or smelling the current fluid in the reservoir?