Power steering fluid?

[Rikki Kitto]

The Bible is nonsense we all know that, Star Wars is true though

[Dybro]

Green Gold

2 years ago I decided to changed my PAS fluid because I had no clue what was in there and how old it was. What came out of the system was obviously not the right stuff because the colour yellow(ish).
I couldn't find a supplier in my country that had the febi-fluid nor the pentosin CHF. Well.. I could get the VAG g4000 but it was too expensive, about 20€/L at the stealers.
So.. Then compared the data sheet of pentosin LHM+ and pentosin CHF - and gues what..? The LHM+ is almost identical (slight difference in viscosity) to the CHF and the the LHM+ is also green I ended up buying pentosin LHM+ because it is nearly identical to the oem stuff, it is way cheaper (9 or 10 €) and it is available at almost any petrol station in my country - and it still works perfect

[Mcstiff]

I can mix anti-freeze with Ribena, but its not any good for me

The problem with some non-OE fluids is that they degrade the seals over time, so maybe it won't manifest a problem for some years.
IMHO why bother when the correct fluid is cheap and easy to get hold of, on the shelf at every Audi dealer in the country. Each to their own though, hope it works for you

The problem with the stock fluid is that it offers practically zero heat protection and allows the system to wear. http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2130791 This is why we all should be running a filter with magnet on the return line, regardless of fluid.

Why did Audi switch from ATF to Pentosin 7.1?

Lastly some seem to be concerned that M1SATF is not an appropriate hydraulic fluid. Yet history indicates both Audi and VW were using DexronII ATF as their sole power steering hydraulic fluid in the early 80's. It's even printed on their reservoirs! Additionally VW continued using DexronII after Audi made the conversion to Pentosin 7.1. Yet during that time some of the VW cars were actually using the same parts/components with identical part numbers that Audi was using in their lineup as that relates to steering racks and pumps. There was no difference in seal composition or design... SAME part numbers! Now fast forward to the M1SATF which is a direct and RECOMMENDED swap for DexronII yet somehow now M1SATF, according to at least one is not an appropriate hydraulic fluid for use in our PS systems even tho nothing has changed... our systems still use synthetic (Nitrile) seals and pump designs. Yet the dino-based ATF fluid that M1SATF was SPECIFICALLY designed/engineered to be compatible with and perform better than is now somehow, inexplicably "not" an appropriate hydraulic fluid today!?! Bunk! I personally think its viscosity is slightly too heavy in cold climates but other than that I find ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with it as a PS or other hydraulic fluid. VAG cars used DexronII back in the day and obviously didn't think it was a piss-poor hydraulic fluid. And I seriously doubt when Mobil engineered their synthetic version ATF to achieve DexronII compatibility they inentionally did anything to render it's hydraulic oil capabilities worse than DexronII on ANY level. Counter-intuitive to compromise even a single DII specification when trying to replace it with a "boutique" custom-tailored synthetic oil that is supposed to be better in EVERY way and costs 4 times more than the product it hopes to de-throne. That dog won't hunt! .

Searching "VAP M1 ATF Pentosin: on google should provide a wealth of data on the subject. The final conclusion is/has been: "Redline PSF is a lighter viscosity and therefore slightly better in colder climates than M1. And Redline uses zinc dithiophosphate anti-wear agents whereas M1 has gone to a not-quite-as-effective anti-wear additive that's a little more environmentally friendly to groundwater exposure than zinc. Redline tends to provide a more robust additive package with better anti-wear protection, more detergency, stop-leak and quieter operation in worn systems as compared to M1. Many enjoy similar benefits with both but "some" with noisy and or neglected/abused systems lean towards Redline as providing quieter/smoother pump operation." http://forums.quattroworld.com/9080/msgs/29336.phtml

[Rikki Kitto]

A good link to clear things up, maybe
http://www.blauparts.com/audi/audi_f...ng_fluid.shtml

[Error404]

From those links above, maybe I missed it but there was no fact, only presumption and personal conjecture - maybe they are right and synthetic ATF is fine - the only way to get any conclusive data is via oil analysis, which I what I would want to see - if some ATFs do indeed break down the seals in the system as is widely believed, then this would clearly be present in the PS fluid - ergo testing this scientifically is the only way to go. Once I saw this data, then I can make up my mind if its a good thing or not - until then I will stick with the proven fluid as is warrantied by VAG

As I said though, each to their own.

[caterpillar]

twice i have bought vag cars with atf 2 oil in the steering system.... both times the steeringsrack gone bad.... so the green stuff are ok... G02000 or similar

[PeteRR]

I found that my previous S2 (Avant) had ATF in there too. It also had a knackered pump, whether that was down to the ATF or not I'm not sure, but I flushed and refilled with G004 before fitting a new pump.

I've just bought a couple of bottles from VW do a fluid re-fresh on the Coupe too.

[Nuvo]

Does G004000 have a service life?

[Rikki Kitto]

Just got the G004000 from TPS, seems a lot thicker and different to whatever was in it, sure someone has put brake fluid in mine, that's what it looked like anyway.