Power steering fluid??? 2004 V6

[Seasparrow]

I have done a lot lately, (mostly lying on the ground) , thanks to this forum, my half life refresh is going great. Well, right up until I was thinking about power steering fluid, which has become one of the hardest things to find out. Is Dexron III superseded and interchangeable with type IV ??? As the discussion goes, the color difference in the existing fluid in the T4R is that what they put in originally was Dexron III ATF "without dye". I didn't think finding power steering fluid was going to be one of the hardest part of refreshing my vehicle.

The PDF for my 04 says

CHECKING POWER STEERING FLUID
Parts (if level is low):
Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON II or III

The cap says Dexron ATF, that makes sense as II was superseded by III etc etc.

The stealership says IV is the same as III, but I am not going to trust a parts person on my runner.

Lots of internet and T4R discussions but nothing sticks out as the definite answer, So HELP, anyone running type IV, did you flush, is III available anywhere?? What to do ?? I am afraid to use just any brand of Dexron III.

Thanks for any help.

 

[waypoint]

Dexron VI is thinner (lower viscosity) than Dex III, so I'd avoid it for this application.

My go-to for power steering flushes is Castrol Transmax High Mileage, but any of the "Dex/Merc" spec fluids should be fine e.g. Valvoline, Castrol, SuperTech, etc.

 

[Seasparrow]

Thanks for replying,

I was thinking type 4, Toyota type-IV ATF.

 

[waypoint]

I was thinking type 4, Toyota type-IV ATF.

Yup way too many Roman numerals and letters in general in the ATF world...Mercon V, Mercon LV, Toyota T-IV, Dexron VI, etc.

Stick with "Dex/Merc" which are Dexron III and Mercon spec, you'll be fine.

I go with Castrol Transmax High Mileage for the extra additives they include for high mileage applications, and a bit higher hot viscosity.

 

[SarasGen34Runner]

Just flushed mine last week, make sure you remove the reservoir and clean the mesh screen.... mine was full of crud and you couldn't see light through it.

 

[lightfreak]

Since you have a 2004, just use whatever synthetic T-IV compatible fluid you’re using in the transmission. No need to keep a different fluid on hand.
Ive used syn Amsoil and Motul tranny fluid. I’ve gone as much as 100k miles on an Amsoil fill.

 

[sport2004]

I tried this last fall, works great

Power Steering Problem Part II

 

[Shiftless Joe]

Just use Valvoline MaxLife™ full syn ATF.

 

[Seasparrow]

Thanks all,

I am probably going with the transmax Dex/Merc as it implies for power steering requiring Dex III, although I realize all of them you have spoken about will work because they are ATF Dex III compatible.

Funny thing though, almost all of the ones I considered (and you mentioned) that cover Dex/Merc III also state they cover Lexus - Toyota T-IV which was the original question,

Valvoline maxlife
Castrol transmax high mileage
Both of them Dex/merc III and Toyota T-IV compatible.

Transmax Dex/Merc is Dexron/Merc III only.

Mobil 1 synthetic is Dex/merc III compliant but NOT T-IV
Mobil 1 3309 is T-IV compliant but NOT Dex/merc III

Castrol synthetic claims compatibility with nearly everything

I sent an email to Toyota on the PS question, I hope they answer.

There have been many many conversations about dealers, 4runner and Taco owners using T-IV, but that warm fuzzy feeling is much easier to get using what was in it to begin with, Dex III.

Question to SarasGen34Runner, Is the screen in the bottom of the reservoir? Do you remove it or clean it in place, Thanks for the tip on the screen.

.

 

[Bluesky 07]

[MENTION=224863]Seasparrow[/MENTION], you can use the @ before another member’s exact user name to generate a mention notification.

To all here, I strongly recommend watching at least the “universal fluids” section of the video mentioned in this thread. It starts 34:46 into the video (there are time stamps for each section listed in the video caption/notes on YouTube; I listened to the Toyota WS part too). The info may change your mind about using “works in every vehicle” fluids like Maxlife in your transmission.

The guy isn’t just some Joe Blow either.

 

[waypoint]

[MENTION=224863]
To all here, I strongly recommend watching at least the “universal fluids” section of the video mentioned in this thread.

It's a terrific video, but the OP isn't working on his transmission...he's flushing his power steering. The video is therefore tangential to his area of interest, no?

 

[waypoint]

Question to SarasGen34Runner, Is the screen in the bottom of the reservoir? Do you remove it or clean it in place, Thanks for the tip on the screen.

The screen is inside the reservoir and not removable, so you remove the reservoir and back-flush it. I used mineral spirits, capped both hose fittings, and shook the thing vigorously...took a few iterations with fresh mineral spirits before the screen was clean. I then rinsed it with fresh transmission fluid, just a few ounces and rotated the reservoir to slosh it over the entire interior.

 

[Bluesky 07]

It's a terrific video, but the OP isn't working on his transmission...he's flushing his power steering. The video is therefore tangential to his area of interest, no?

People were suggesting Maxlife for the PS reservoir. Will it work there? Maybe, just wanted anyone reading this thread to have the info so they can make an informed choice whether it’s for the PS or transmission.

Thanks for the procedure for cleaning the screen, I missed that when I flushed mine but will get it next time.

 

[Seasparrow]

Well I am all out of whack now as the Dex/Merc was only IID compatible.

The multivehicle is IIIH compatible and as the man in the video stated (I think at 23:47) you have to read the back which they do not show you. And then they have this statment at the bottom of the product list;

"This data sheet and the information it contains is believed to be accurate as of the date of printing. However, no warranty or representation, express or implied, is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Data provided is based on standard tests under laboratory conditions and is given as a guide only. Users are advised to ensure that they refer to the latest version of this data sheet. It is the responsibility of the user to evaluate and use products safely, to assess suitability for the intended application and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations."

All I want is Dexron IIIH, which by the way is no longer licensed, this is like writing a book.

 

[Seasparrow]

I think it may have been in front of me the whole time, on the shelf at the local stealership, right beside the T-IV was a bottle of fluid simply labeled Toyota ATF. And this might just be it.

Toyota Genuine Fluid 00718ATF00

Everywhere I look though it is discontinued. Will probably look for this a while then just go with one that is lesser of the two weevils.

I am sure I am over thinking this, time to stop.

 

[Seymore Butts]

When I decided to flush the PS system, I stopped by Autozone on the way home and picked up a bottle of Dex-III fluid. Not something "compatible" with every fluid under the sun, but simply Dex-III. I used it because the owners manual said so and I had no reason to second guess the people who actually built my vehicle.

Dex-III or Dex-II, whichever you see on the shelf first.

I'm not sure why you're having such a difficult time of it.

 

[waypoint]

Well I am all out of whack now as the Dex/Merc was only IID compatible.

All I want is Dexron IIIH, which by the way is no longer licensed, this is like writing a book.

From the Castrol Transmax product data sheet:

Industry Specifications and OEM Approvals
Meets or Exceeds General Motors DEXRON®-IIIH Requirements

https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/FusionPDS.nsf/Files/D65DF769EEAF92768025805600724B2B/$File/BPXE-AFE8TS.pdf

 

[Bluesky 07]

Unless I’m missing something, you may be overthinking your choice. I used this, works fine.

 

[SAC-CA-Runner]

I'm getting ready to throw on a steering rack as I think mine is toast. How much does this system take? Is 1QT enough to do the whole system or should I buy two? Thanks and good info in this thread as I was going to use Toyota ATF since I have two extra quarts of it. Guess not now!

 

[waypoint]

I'm getting ready to throw on a steering rack as I think mine is toast. How much does this system take? Is 1QT enough to do the whole system or should I buy two? Thanks and good info in this thread as I was going to use Toyota ATF since I have two extra quarts of it. Guess not now!

Mine was around a quart and a half to flush and top off the reservoir.