I'm new to Z cars and I have a dumb question if you guys could humor me. I have a z32tt with hydraulic HICAS. I have a leak somewhere, I think I know where, thats not the issue. I went to my local auto parts store to buy some fluid to fill it back up in the mean time. I made sure to ask if I should use regular power steering fluid or if it required anything different to be sure. They said just use regular power steering fluid then I did some looking online and found an article saying to use ATF. I am confused Aren't they pretty much the same thing, hydraulic fluid? I just don't want to make a mistake. Thanks

 

Use ATF Dexron III. Power steering fluid can damage the system.

And never ask the morons at the auto parts store for advice for anything with your Z32. Most of them have little more than a high school education, and they almost certainly know nothing of the Z32.

P.S. Your logic about "they're the same thing because they're both hydraulic fluid" is fundamentally flawed. How about you put some gear lube in place of your motor oil? Or some 0W30 motor oil in your differential? All lubricant, right?

 

You can use gear oil in place of motor oil, thats how I got rid of the knock in the company car.

 

Not long term you can't. It is too thick and would cause wear in areas that are not easily accessible to the gear lube.

 

Thank you Guys! I really appreciate the info and advice.