VE SS-V: Which power steering fluid?

[sir.richard]

Hey all,

My power steering started to make a bit of noise going around tight corners.

I checked the power steering fluid level and it is very low. (about 2cm left).

My car has done just under 3000km.

I went to top it up, looking for the Dexron VI standard power steering fluid listed in the manual, but I can not find it.

I tried both Mobil and Shell. Both of them sold one type of power steering fluid only. And none of the fluids had Dexron VI as one of the standards on the back. I think one may have mentioned Dexron 2D but as I also checked out some auto transmission fluids (just in case) the Dexron 2D may have been on an ATF container.

Help! Need to top it up now and dont want to wait for my 3k service later in the week. No local dealer service departments appear open.

Am wanting to get Shell or Mobil as then I put it on my company shell or mobil card and dont pay for it.

[planetdavo]

If it's that low, surely the $10 to buy one litre yourself is far less important than the inconvenience of a failure...
If you can't find it, and aren't driving it today, drop into a dealer service dep't at 8 in the morning.

[Mozz]

I hope this doesn't indicate that holden have yet to solve the leaking power steering hose/clamp situation that has existed since the VTII's :(

[sir.richard]

I had quite an experience trying to get this resolved:

1) Tried Autobarn: No, they had not yet seen Dexron VI type fluid and only had III and IID.
2) Tried Super Cheap Auto: None.

I simply can not believe that it is not easy to get the right fluid for such a common car. I know Dexron VI isnt old, but come on, these cars are everywhere so why cant you buy the fluid? Not everyone would be in the situation where they can wait for a dealer's service department to open...there must be some demand!

In the end, the dealer was the only easy to find source, and I had to drive all weekend with almost zero fluid in the reservoir waiting for them to open - which I did not like doing.

And to top it all off, the source of the leak was found, and it will take 3 weeks to get the part in.

Sersiouly guys....this is my first Holden and I am pretty surprised at both those things. Its not like I was needing a new diff or something big. And its not like I was looking for some weird fluid thats not commonly needed in a car.....

Thank God its a slow leak...I would have given them a serve if I couldnt drive for 3 weeks while I waited for a part worth a couple of bucks.

Must say if I did a lot of driving in the middle of nowhere I would not drive a car using Dexron VI. If you run low on fluid and a dealer isnt nearby and open, you are simply stuffed.

[planetdavo]

It would appear that the aftermarket shops are very slow to identify just what fluids our common cars use....