Conventional power steering fluids that you find on every parts shelf and every parts store is typically designed for normal, every day driving. Those power steering fluids are sometimes ATF, depending on the vehicle, and it can get confusing which one should be used.

Road racing puts more heat into the power steering system, causing some conventional fluids to boil.

For high performance applications, such as cars that are driven hard, even driven at racetracks on open track day, conventional power steering fluid will sometimes show exactly why they’re for normal, every day driving. We found out after a few laps at Willow Springs, when we came back to the pits to find out that our conventional power steering fluid was exceeding its boiling point, and bubbling out of the reservoir.

We had recently installed a brand new Borgeson conversion power steering gear, as well as a freshly rebuilt pump and brand new hoses, so we knew that we had a completely fresh system. We even installed a power steering cooler from Derale to help keep the fluid temperatures down, but road racing proved to be far too much for conventional fluid, and after a few laps we noticed the fluid was foaming up and overheating.

When we got back home, another trip to the local auto parts store and we picked up a couple of pints of Lucas Power Steering Fluid, and flushed out the old fluid and filled the reservoir with the new. Lucas’ Power Steering Fluid has built in conditioners that provide smooth quiet operation, and helps to condition seals and o-rings to prevent minor leaks.

Lucas Power Steering Fluid contains conditioners, and solves the problem of figuring out what fluid to use. It’s compatible with all steering systems and all petroleum or synthetic fluids, meaning a complete dry-flush isn’t necessary.

It’s compatible with all power steering systems and fluids, whether the fluids are synthetic or petroleum based, so there’s no more guessing or trying to figure out which fluid to get. It also has a higher boiling point than conventional fluid and is designed to stop fading and foaming in high performance driving applications.

So what was the result after we went back out to Willow Springs again with Lucas Power Steering Fluid in our system? Success – we lost the low speed chatter we had with conventional fluid, and coming back into the pits and checking the reservoir after a very hot day and several fast laps, and there wasn’t a bubble to be found in the reservoir. The Lucas fluid handled it with ease and kept us out on the track, without worrying about overheating our steering system.

You can find Lucas Power Steering Fluid w/Conditioners at most auto parts stores, or you can check with their website and find a retailer near you. For small leaks in your existing system, you can also try Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak for rack and pinion leaks or problems, also compatible with all all power steering fluids.