Originally Posted by Mr.Fork
In my Volvo XC70, Pentosin CHF 11S is the only recommended power steering fluid - which I think is baloney. The Volvo branded Pentosin CHF 11S also sells for $24 a litre.
Is there an alternative to the power steering fluid for our Volvos?
What year is your Volvo?
CHF-202 is specified for early 2000s Volvos.
CHF-11s is a good fluid. Your total system capacity is about 1 quart. My local NAPA has that fluid for $16/liter. I buy it in 5 liter jugs, at about $13/liter because my Mercedes uses CHF-11s for the suspension as well as the power steering.
At that price, why look for a substitute?
Don't buy Volvo fluids. They are incredibly marked up. But DO buy what is specified. You'll be much happier in the end. The guys that filled their steering racks with generic ATF found out the hard way that using substitute fluids can hurt...a mistake in the printing of owner's manuals in 2001-2003 just said "ATF", and ATF caused the rack seals to leak.
Volvo charges about $1,800, parts and labor, for a steering rack. It's a rebuilt ZF, but the subframe has to be dropped to install it, so the labor is high.
But hey, what's $1,800 in repairs when you "cleverly" saved $5 on fluid, right?