synthetic lubes other than crankcase oil

[KennyV]

while I havn't looked around alot.. I know there is valvolene syn pow steer fluid available here.

soundguy

If you still have that around it is old stock... it was discontinued last year. There were some problems with hoses and seals that caused Valvolene to discontinue it... I use to use it in everything.

A fluid you should change in a 10 year plus truck is the brake fluid... often over looked and it will take on a lot of moisture, and can ruin your day on a long trip. KennyV

 

[Diamondpilot]

The second biggest failures behind transmissions for folks who tow a lot is power steering components. If you look at most tow packages in popular trucks they almost always include a larger PS cooler. The reason your PS system takes such a beating is you are really working the steering wheel when backing up a trailer with virtually zero cooling from ram air. So yes, I would go for the good synthetic stuff. Its not that much more and you will have peace of mind knowing you gave that beast the good stuff.

Chris

 

[RalphVa]

I switched to synthetic power steering fluid in 2 vehicles (think it was that Valvoline stuff). On the Tacoma, the rubber hose that went to a steel one (without a clamp) pulled loose. I put a clamp there and refilled the reservoir. No problems on either vehicle since. Have sold the Tacoma but still have the Cabrio.

Our 2010 Jetta has no power steering pump. Like the Prius, it uses electro mechanical assist. Power steering pumps are very inefficient.

Ralph

 

[Soundguy]

The second biggest failures behind transmissions for folks who tow a lot is power steering components. If you look at most tow packages in popular trucks the almost always include a larger PS cooler. The reason your PS system takes such a beating is you are really working the steering wheel when backing up a trailer with vertically zero cooling from ram air. So yes, I would go for the good synthetic stuff. Its not that much more and you will have peace of mind knowing you gave that beast the good stuff.Chris

Yep.. just dropped the 450 off today for it's 'spa treatment'. and wouldn't you know it as I pulled into my mechanics shop and parked.. while I was standing in the parking lot getting the key off my ring.. what do I see... drip...drip.. drip.. coolant starting to leak out from the front of the truck. My mechanic was standing there and said.. ' well.. I guess we will work on that before the oil changes' I asked him 'how he did that'

hopefully by tomorrow it will have new belts hoses, coolant, oils including brake fluid, plus new brakes, fuel filter, trans, etc.. etc. the whole enchalada.. doing all my services now as a baseline. ( and I'm guessing a new water pump as well :| )



soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

If you still have that around it is old stock... it was discontinued last year. There were some problems with hoses and seals that caused Valvolene to discontinue it... I use to use it in everything.

A fluid you should change in a 10 year plus truck is the brake fluid... often over looked and it will take on a lot of moisture, and can ruin your day on a long trip. KennyV

I guess you are right. that last time I saw that may have been last year when i bought a quart. I assume someone else makes something similar though.

soundguy

 

[FlaDon]

The second biggest failures behind transmissions for folks who tow a lot is power steering components. If you look at most tow packages in popular trucks they almost always include a larger PS cooler. The reason your PS system takes such a beating is you are really working the steering wheel when backing up a trailer with virtually zero cooling from ram air. So yes, I would go for the good synthetic stuff. Its not that much more and you will have peace of mind knowing you gave that beast the good stuff.

Chris

Don't forget, many trucks tap the PS for the power brakes too. That's why you don't see the big old vacuum brake boosters anymore.

 

[Soundguy]

just found out something I have never seen before.. apparently my truck has a PS cooler on it.

i'm guessing this is an odd aftermarket add on and not anything normally found as stock?

soundguy

 

[thatguy]

In the winter my trucks power steering would squeal so bad during really cold weather that I wanted to switch it over to a synthetic fluid.. The only synthetic I could find locally was amsoil.. I changed it over last fall and had no squealing in the winter.. There were some other synthetic PS fluids, but they had to be ordered..

Brian

 

[FlaDon]

just found out something I have never seen before.. apparently my truck has a PS cooler on it.

i'm guessing this is an odd aftermarket add on and not anything normally found as stock?

soundguy

Stock on my 2001 Chevy 3500.

 

[Soundguy]

interesting.

seems like a good option.. you normally don't think of the PS needing a cooler.. but I guess every bit helps.. puts more oil in the system too I guess...

soundguy