Forum Discussion

usnret's avatar
usnret
Explorer
Apr 02, 2019

Slide hydraulic reservoir

I need to top of the hydraulic reservoir on my Cardinal fifth wheel. Is ok to use hydraulic fluid from an auto parts store like Auto Zone?
Thanks in advance.
Jim
  • Look at the unit spec sheet. It should say automatic transmission fluid in most.
    Make of the slide unit would help.
  • usnret wrote:
    I need to top of the hydraulic reservoir on my Cardinal fifth wheel. Is ok to use hydraulic fluid from an auto parts store like Auto Zone?
    Thanks in advance.
    Jim


    Thats what I use , I just bought a quart bottle of Johnsen's Hydraulic Jack Oil from O'reily's . I can see that mine is not ATF, it fairly clear. Been using Johnsen's in mine for several years.

    Now if I would pull off one of the hydraulic hose that is leaking in the fitting ,and get the fitting replaced I probably wouldn't have to keep adding periodically :B My bad !!
  • ATF IS the standard fluid for hydraulic operated slides

    Slides should be retracted when adding fluid to reservoir
  • You need to,look at the color of the fluid..

    Not all were filled with transmission fluid..

    If the fluid c9,or is honey brown then you need AW32 hydraulic fluid that you can get in an auto store or Wally World

    If fluid is red then service with previous posters Lippert PDF.

    Lippert says don’t mix fluid types
  • As long as it's down, why not top off with the stuff LCI recommends to fix the "popping" noises, even if you're not having them? Some sort of additive that's usually found at a Cat dealer. Sure can't hurt anything.

    Later: I remembered that it's called "anti-stiction" fluid.

    Lyle