Can You Use Brake Fluid For Power Steering Fluid?

For some reason, you accidentally add the brake fluid to the power steering pump. What happens if you put brake fluid in power steering? Let’s go over the topic Can you use brake fluid for power steering fluid to have an answer:

Brake Fluid And Power Steering Fluid: Are They Similar?

Our answer is “No”. These are two types of oil with completely different properties and functions used for two separate systems of the car: brake system and power steering system. Let’s look at the differences between these fluids:

What is power steering fluid?

Power Steering Fluid is a special auxiliary solution that helps lubricate the hydraulic system (pump, valve) for power steering. Power steering fluid helps the driver handle the steering wheel more easily, helping the driver not need to use too much effort but still operate the vehicle accurately and smoothly. It’s a petroleum-based fluid that acts as a pressure transfer medium power steering and is mostly used for dynamic steering. 

Power steering fluid needs to meet requirements such as not being compressible, not changing much viscosity when temperature changes, and not creating residue. At each maintenance session, the power steering oil must be checked and supplemented when lacking.

What is brake fluid?

The main function of the brake fluid is to absorb moisture in the brake system. Brake fluids from lubricant manufacturers are all glycol or silicone-based and have appropriate viscosity, preventing corrosion of metals and brake system materials (rubber, plastic, cast iron, steel…), ensuring lubrication and high load-bearing surface…Some important effects of the brake fluid for your car:

• Improve safety for the brake system.
• Resists corrosion, and oxidation, and protects the vehicle brake system.
• Giving good force transmission and flexibility even at high temperatures and hot humidity.
• Ensure good lubrication for the vehicle brake system, improving vehicle and brake system life.
• Improve driver safety in cases of emergency braking.

Unlike the power steering fluid, brake fluid is not a good lubricant, this fluid is used for static brake brakes. It’s a petroleum-based fluid that acts as a pressure transfer medium power steering and is mostly used for dynamic steering. 

So now, you had the answer for the question: Is power steering fluid and brake fluid the same thing?

>> Read more: How Much Brake Fluid Do I Need For A Flush?

Can You Use Brake Fluid For Power Steering Fluid?

Can brake fluid be used as power steering fluid? Definitely No, these fluids are not supposed to be mixed or used interchangeably. They’re hydraulic fluid but they have different chemistries. The oils themselves also have their parameters and viscosity grades, mixing them is very dangerous or at least will damage or reduce the vehicle’s life. So are there consequences attached to this error?

The brake fluid is a lot more abrasive and it is alcohol-based because a petroleum-based fluid would erode the rubber seals and hoses; which would cause a system failure. Using brake fluid in the power steering system can lead to damage to the seals and other components of the power steering system. This can result in leaks, reduced steering performance, and potential safety hazards.

While power steering fluid is petroleum-based and a power steering (rack and pinion type) system has a lot of metal-on-metal contacts.. In addition to being a pressure transfer medium, it also functions as a lubricant. Brake fluid does not make for a good lubricant.

Therefore it’s suitable to use only power steering fluid for the power steering system and brake oil for the brake system as all automobiles give the finest performance. Though in some unwanted cases, where there are no other alternatives, brake fluid can be used as power steering fluid, it should be the once in a lifetime. 

You should never use the brake fluid as power steering fluid because this system requires fluid with a high boiling point. However, you can interchange the power steering oil for brake fluid in some dire situations since both are hydraulic fluid. 

>> Related post: What Happens If You Drive The Car With Low Power Steering Fluid?

What To Do If You Add Brake Fluid To Power Steering System?

If you accidentally use brake fluid in place of power steering fluid, what should you do? You should know that using brake fluid in the power steering system is very dangerous. The first thing, you should remember is not to start your engine because as soon as you start the engine, brake fluid is gone go into all the lines. What we would recommend is that you should flush out all fluid from the reservoir immediately as soon as you notice that using the wrong fluid. 

Watch more how to flush your power steering fluid:

This step would be easy If you still don’t start your car, however, extracting or removing the fluid will be more difficult in case of starting your car engine because at that time these fluids are already mixed up. You should open the cap and empty the whole reservoir because most likely the brake fluid is still here. Use a syringe or turkey basters to empty the brake fluid from the container. Additionally, you can separate the return line from the steering on the pump on the primary side. Don’t forget to disconnect the return hole from the power steering pump that brings back all the fluid you put in a different container. When the pump system is empty, you can recouple the whole system and refill the reservoir with the right fluid.

After that, run your car forth and back twice or more, this is to help flush out all the air from the system.

In the case, you can’t flush the power steering fluid by yourself, you should contact trusted mechanics immediately. With their knowledge and necessary tools, they can help you flush and drain your power steering system safely change the damaged parts If necessary, and add the correct fluid.

Can We Use The Transmission Fluid For Power Steering?

This is also a common question that we want to make clear on this topic. If you ask the manufacturer they will say NO because these two types of oils have completely different functions and should be used for different purposes.  But in reality, you can use transmission fluid to replace power steering fluid if necessary. If your car is manufactured by Honda, you definitely should not use transmission oil to replace power steering oil. The reason is that Honda power steering oil is thicker than regular power steering oil and is produced specifically for Honda vehicles.

You should note that using the wrong power steering fluid can lead to leaks, corrosion, internal component damage, and even complete system failure. It’s always best to err on the side of caution and use the exact fluid type specified for your car.

We hope that all that information will be somehow useful for you. The lesson we want to share in this article is that according to each system on the car, you should choose a suitable fluid recommended by the manufacturer and should not be used indiscriminately or mixed because they can cause extremely serious consequences.

If you’re unsure or can’t find the information above, a qualified mechanic or dealership representative can look up the exact fluid recommended for your specific car model and year. If you have any concerns, don’t forget to leave your comments in our comment section below.