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Old 4th December 2010, 18:39   #1
hpy540
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Power steering fluid question
I have been driving my M5 a bit lately and i think the Ins yard screwed me on a another deal. What do thse cars have in them for PS fluid. Is it the Pentosin like in the e31's ?
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Old 18th December 2010, 03:44   #2
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If you're talking about an e39, the power steering uses ATF fluid, oddly enough. I used Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF.

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Old 15th April 2011, 06:18   #3
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Wait so I shouldnt have been putting in power steering fluid into the reservoir??
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Old 15th April 2011, 14:17   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by "S62" View Post
Wait so I shouldnt have been putting in power steering fluid into the reservoir??
Umm...no... I don't know what effects that would have, but I'd definitely make sure to drain all that out. Doesn't your cap say ATF fluid on it? Mine does... Anyways, the fluid should be a dark/clear red. If you're putting in brown powersteering fluid...that's bad.

I put in Mobil 1 based off this thread...ATF fluid specifications - Power Steering... and I just like Mobil 1 products. It was about $8 at Autozone.

I'm kinda surprised it hasn't given you any trouble, but I don't know enough to speculate...

Ryan
Last edited by BMVVette; 15th April 2011 at 14:19.
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Old 15th April 2011, 18:11   #5
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Ive read in both the m5 manual and the entire 5 series handbook and I just dont understand why you would put automatic transmission fluid in instead of powersteering fluid. that doesnt make much sense to me. I havent had any problems with it yet. I thought Bmw just printed the cap wrong or something.
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Old 15th April 2011, 19:10   #6
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Ive read in both the m5 manual and the entire 5 series handbook and I just dont understand why you would put automatic transmission fluid in instead of powersteering fluid. that doesnt make much sense to me. I havent had any problems with it yet. I thought Bmw just printed the cap wrong or something.
I don't know the reason behind it or anything, but it is most definitely supposed to be ATF. Not sure, but I just wouldn't want to try it to see what happens. Actually haven't looked at the manual, might want to do that...

Ryan
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Old 17th April 2011, 02:35   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMVVette View Post
I don't know the reason behind it or anything, but it is most definitely supposed to be ATF. Not sure, but I just wouldn't want to try it to see what happens. Actually haven't looked at the manual, might want to do that...

Ryan
It is ATF. I am sure it has to do with the viscosity of the fluids. The car did not come with synthetic, but I also use M1 synthetic.

Agree, flush and put in the proper fluid.

S62, I think your PS pump is on borrowed time. Good luck.
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Old 25th August 2011, 08:12   #8
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good info thanks
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Old 26th September 2011, 05:14   #9
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ATF : correct
our p/s fluid is regular ATF (pink)

our brake fluid is DOT 4 type..

new BMW/MB etc use the CHF 11S hydraulic fluid ( green bottle, clear fluid)
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Old 26th September 2011, 05:15   #10
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Brake fluid
I forget to say this.... although not common on E39, the contaminated brake fluid is the most common reason ABS pumps fail! especially on cars spending most of their time inside garage, not driven...



Quote:
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our p/s fluid is regular ATF (pink)

our brake fluid is DOT 4 type..

new BMW/MB etc use the CHF 11S hydraulic fluid ( green bottle, clear fluid)
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