My Volvo manual says to use ATF fluid in the power steering reservoir. Will any automatic transmission fluid marked ATF be OK?

Thanks, KlausC and Howardc64. I did call Volvo, and they said it was indeed sythetic fluid, but they couldn't tell me if your suggested products would work. So i took your advice in that it would be a small expense in the big picture of V70 maintenance and bought some Volvo fluid ($35).
I appreciate your quick advice and look forward to reading more of the sagas in brickboard.

Volvo's owner's manual is wrong from 01-04 for V70/S60/XC70. The actual PS fluid is a synthetic hydraulic fluid called CHF-11S. Most of the European cars switched to this in the last 10 years or so.

How do I know? I put ATF in the system. I just replaced my steering rack due to leaking seals.

If you want to confirm, call your volvo dealer. I'm sure they will tell you it is the "green fluid" which is CHF-11S.

More info here. This fluid isn't easy to find at your local auto stores.

http://www.freewebs.com/howardsvolvos/steering.htm

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2001 V70 T5 ASR, 2001 XC70, http://www.freewebs.com/howardsvolvos/

Thanks, KlausC and Howardc64. I did call Volvo, and they said it was indeed sythetic fluid, but they couldn't tell me if your suggested products would work. So i took your advice in that it would be a small expense in the big picture of V70 maintenance and bought some Volvo fluid ($35).
I appreciate your quick advice and look forward to reading more of the sagas in brickboard.

Cool, glad you got the right fluid and avoided the mistake I made by reading the manual! I'm sure you will find Pentosin CHF-11S on your Volvo fluid somewhere. Still should take a look and see if you have a leak somewhere. It is supposed to be a closed system.

Here is a link showing all Euro cars moved over to this fluid for PS hydraulic fluid. Every brand has their own part numbers. But they are all Pentosin CHF-11S :)

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_Volvo_power_steering_fluid_a_mineral_hydraulic_fluid_versus_petroleum

IPD now sells even better fluid that exceed CHF-11S. Here is some info on this fluid and the ipd link

http://www.lufteknic.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=000-043-206-56&Category_Code=PS_Fluid

http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-V70XC70-2001-2007/Suspension-&-Steering/Steering/Power-Steering-Fluid/p-127-388-855-4037/
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2001 V70 T5 ASR, 2001 XC70, http://www.freewebs.com/howardsvolvos/

No. It needs to be synthetic. Call you local dealer parts dept and ask what they use for 2002 V70s, then go to the local autoparts supply and get 1 quart of Mobile 3309 ATF. Buying 1 quart isn't going to break the bank.

Klaus
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Just driving a 1998 V70R :)

Klaus, I know you're the expert, buy I thought 3309 was not synthetic.

Mobile 3309 is synthetic tranny fluid. But Howard is correct about the type of PS fluid.

Klaus
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Just driving a 1998 V70R :)