Ceramic-Enhanced Power Steering Fluid with STM-3® SiC Protection

Check your owner's manual for the power steering fluid specification. Cerma Ceramic Power Steering Fluid is a universal hydraulic PS fluid — it works for vehicles that specify generic "power steering fluid" or equivalent. It is not a direct substitute for these OEM-proprietary fluids: Honda/Acura (Honda PSF-II or PSF-S), BMW / Mercedes-Benz / VW / Audi / Volvo / Porsche (Pentosin CHF 11S or CHF 202), Toyota/Lexus (Toyota PSF), Chrysler/Dodge/Ram/Jeep (Mopar MS-5931, MS-11655, or specified ATF+4), some older GM (Dexron-III/VI where PS system shares ATF spec), some older Ford (Mercon or Type F where PS system shares ATF spec). Using Cerma in vehicles requiring proprietary fluid can damage seals and may void warranty coverage — use only the OEM-specified fluid in those vehicles. When in doubt: call us at 239-344-9861 with your year/make/model/engine and we'll verify whether Cerma is appropriate for your specific vehicle. Newer vehicles (2015+) typically use electric power steering (EPS) and require no fluid at all — check for a PS reservoir cap under the hood to confirm.

Depends on what's causing the squeal. Cerma can help with these causes: fluid breakdown or contamination (old dark/burnt fluid causing internal friction), fluid aeration/foaming (bubbles in the fluid producing moaning or whine), high-pressure squeal at full lock from accumulated pump internal wear, and cold-startup squeal from thickened aged fluid. After a full flush with Cerma, many customers experience noticeable noise reduction — sometimes within minutes, sometimes over the first few drives as the SiC ceramic layer develops and old fluid is fully purged. Cerma cannot fix these causes: glazed or worn serpentine/drive belt (replace the belt — common and often mistaken for pump squeal); failed belt tensioner (replace the tensioner); severely mechanically damaged pump internals (bearing failure, broken vanes, scored cam ring); failed pulley or misalignment. Diagnostic test: spray a little water on the serpentine belt while the engine is running — if the noise changes, the squeal is belt-related and no fluid change will fix it. If the noise stays the same and a full Cerma flush doesn't help, the pump likely needs rebuild or replacement.

Mixing is possible for small top-offs on vehicles that already use universal hydraulic PS fluid, but a full flush is strongly preferred for several reasons. (1) Full flush unlocks the full SiC ceramic benefit — diluting Cerma with old degraded fluid reduces the ceramic concentration reaching your pump's metal surfaces. (2) Full flush removes contamination — old PS fluid accumulates moisture, acid, micro-wear particles, and oxidation byproducts that keep damaging components even after new fluid is added. (3) Avoid proprietary-fluid mixing. Never mix Cerma with proprietary OEM fluids (Honda PSF, Pentosin, Toyota PSF, Mopar ATF+4) — different chemistries may not be fully compatible and mixed systems can cause seal swelling, foaming, or performance issues. If your system currently has proprietary fluid, either stay with the OEM fluid or perform a complete flush (with full system drainage and refill) before switching to Cerma.

Yes — and marine is actually one of the strongest use cases. Marine hydraulic steering systems (SeaStar/Teleflex, Capilano, Uflex, and similar) typically use universal hydraulic PS fluid or ATF-equivalent fluid. Boat hydraulic steering components live in an environment with constant moisture exposure, periodic salt-water contact, and long off-season storage periods where water and corrosion can work on internal metals. Cerma's anti-corrosion chemistry and SiC ceramic wear layer provide meaningful protection in this application. Compatibility note: verify your specific marine steering system's fluid specification — most use universal or ATF, but some require proprietary fluids (SeaStar Touch specifies their proprietary fluid). Larger boats often consume gallons of hydraulic fluid per steering service; the 4-gallon case, 5-gallon pail, or 55-gallon drum sizing is efficient for marinas and boat-service operations.

Not strictly required — Cerma Ceramic Power Steering Fluid contains SiC ceramic technology on its own and provides meaningful protection as a standalone product. The Cerma Power Steering Treatment is a concentrated one-time additive that provides a higher-concentration ceramic dose to establish a deeper initial SiC bond on pump and rack metal surfaces. Recommended when: (1) your PS system has pre-existing mild symptoms (cold-start squeal, fluid breakdown, mild whine); (2) your pump is older and you want maximum extension of remaining service life; (3) you're doing a full system flush and want the strongest initial ceramic layer. Protocol: flush the system with Cerma fluid first, then add the Cerma Power Steering Treatment additive. Subsequent fluid changes use Cerma fluid alone. For a newer vehicle with no symptoms, Cerma fluid alone is typically sufficient.

Follow your vehicle manufacturer's recommended power steering fluid service interval as a baseline — typical intervals range from 30,000 to 100,000 miles depending on the vehicle. Many OEMs list PS fluid as "lifetime" or "severe service only," which in practice often means it never gets changed until a problem appears. Realistic practice: inspect the fluid every 30,000 miles — if the fluid is clean and light-colored, leave it; if it's dark, cloudy, smells burnt, or has visible contamination, do a flush. Cerma's synthetic base and SiC technology support longer service intervals than basic conventional PS fluid, but the SiC ceramic layer persists across fluid changes regardless (bonded to metal, not to the oil itself) — so changing the fluid doesn't reset ceramic protection. Signs it's time to change: dark brown or black fluid (normal is clear or light amber), burnt smell, foam or bubbles in the reservoir, loss of power assist in cold weather, or new pump noise.

Yes — fleet and shop volume is a primary use case. The 4-gallon case, 5-gallon pail, and 55-gallon drum sizes are priced for service operations: the 55-gallon drum lands at $6.38 per quart compared to $14.09 per quart for the single-quart consumer size — a 55% per-unit reduction at the bulk tier. Shops and fleet operators doing regular PS service (especially for marine, truck-fleet, commercial van, RV, or municipal/government fleet operations) can realize significant annual savings at bulk pricing. Drum-and-pump dispensing systems work well with the 55-gallon drum. For distributor-level pricing, pallet orders, or multi-drum quotes, call 239-344-9861. Cerma supports shop accounts with appropriate documentation and payment terms for qualifying service businesses and fleet operations.

Probably not — and this is important to confirm before ordering. Most vehicles from 2015+ use Electric Power Steering (EPS), which has no fluid reservoir and uses no fluid at all. EPS replaces the hydraulic pump with an electric motor driven by the car's electrical system. Quick test: open the hood and look for a small reservoir labeled with a steering wheel icon (sometimes just near the engine or on the firewall). If there's no such reservoir, your vehicle has EPS and Cerma Ceramic Power Steering Fluid does not apply. If you still see power steering-related symptoms on an EPS-equipped vehicle (heavy steering, unusual noise, intermittent loss of assist), the issue is electrical/electronic — the EPS motor, torque sensor, steering column module, or related electronics — and requires diagnostic/repair rather than fluid service. Typical EPS-equipped vehicles: most 2015+ cars and small SUVs, many 2010+ imports (Honda, Toyota, Nissan adopted EPS early), Ford's EcoBoost-equipped vehicles 2011+, GM's full lineup transitioning from 2010s onward. If you're unsure whether your vehicle has hydraulic or electric PS, call 239-344-9861 with your year/make/model.