I apologize if this is a stupid question, but I just bought a 2005 F-150 and the owners manual says to use Mercon ATF for the power steering. Doesn't ATF stand for Automatic Transmission Fluid? Can someone verify that for me? Sounds crazy to me.

 

There are the rules of hydraulics and fluids. The components , well,,,,their composition may or may not be compatible with one another, so after periods of research,the suggestions and recommendations usually try to satisfy both requirements.
The additives in different fluids are supposed to help provide good performance and service .

If that is what the manufacturer recommends, it usually keeps warranties in effect and hopefully performance too.

By this time,, you already know all is not always cut and dried. We do the best we can, hope this long winded , ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,helped answer some of your concern.