355 - Power Steering Fluid Recommendations? | FerrariChat

355 Power Steering Fluid Recommendations?

Discussion in '348/355' started by Qavion, Sep 12, 2019.

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  1. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Ian Riddell
    #1 Qavion, Sep 12, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2019
    I probably go through this headscratching selection process every time I top up my power steering fluid:

    The Owner's Handbook recommends Shell Donax TA.

    https://www.mil-specproducts.com/documents/712_PDS-DONAX TA.pdf

    Not sure, but I may have read somewhere that it was Dexron II grade ("D2").

    I Google Shell Donax TA and find it has been superseded by Shell Spirax S2 ATF AX.
    I Google Shell Spirax S2 ATF AX and it is not available in Australia (only the UK, South Africa and a few other countries remote from me). Here's the technical bulletin on Shell Spirax:

    https://www.zoko.co.il/sites/zoko/UserContent/files/213212.pdf

    I do a broader search for Shell Spirax and find it comes in dozens of different variations, so I need to do more Googling.

    Google produces this article:

    https://www.cartechbooks.com/techtips/autotransfluid

    It has the following text:

    I also have to worry about mixing mineral oil based products with fully or partially synthetic products. I believe Dexron II was mineral based.

    I think I have used Motul ATF VI (fully synthetic) in the past and it's readily available. Here's the technical data sheet:

    https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/motul-production2/images/product_descriptions/technical_data_sheets/48940/ATF_VI_(GB).pdf?1511170487

    It is a Dexron VI grade (or "D6") fluid, so I'm not sure if it is the right stuff (see above). It's recommended for Mercedes vehicles, so you would think it would be good enough for the F355, but Ferrari is not on the tech data sheet.

    So now we are back to square one. I realise that the power steering system is probably not subjected to the wear and tear of gearboxes, but I'd like to be sure I'm picking the right stuff.

    Any recommendations?

    Thanks!
     
  2. m.stojanovic

    m.stojanovic F1 Rookie
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    Basically, any ATF will do so use what you have used so far (Motul ATF VI fully synthetic seems very good). Some people even use 5w30 engine oil in the PS.
     
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  3. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    ATF, red. Done.
     
  4. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Thanks, gents.

    All the stuff they sell here seems to be in non-transparent bottles, but I'll see if the colour is mentioned on their websites.

    Actually, I think I used Penrite ATF last time (Australian brand?). It was a Dexron VI fluid.

    Cheers.
     
  5. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
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    Dominick
    I am late to the game here Mobil 1 atf fluid

    Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk
     
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  6. m.stojanovic

    m.stojanovic F1 Rookie
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    Practically all ATFs are red. I know of only one exception: some latest Mercedes transmissions use blue ATF (Mobil ATF 134 FE).
     
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