Power steering fluid, or ATF?

[Peyto]

I called all 6 dealers in my general area and spoke with the parts counter people thinking they supply the shop with any/all parts needs. Everyone of them said they use plain-Jane power steering fluid. Not one mention of Dex III.

For what it's worth, I've owned/maintained a number of Toyota's and have used both fluids - Dex III and plain-Jane PS fluid. I cannot say that either was better or worse than the other. In both cases the PS system performed well - no noises - no leaks - no problems.

Pick a card.

And just to confirm, mine was low, I topped off with dexIII and haven't had an issue at all.

Every toyota I've owned I've used DexIII with zero problems. I did once use a Valvoline PS fluid once in my '87 and it was a fawkin' disaster! Steering became VERY hard to turn, i felt like someone was turning the opposite way I was turning, and it made noises that I'm sure was not good. Immediately drained and refilled with DexIII and that pump is still working today.

Thanks for the replies! Topped it up with some plain old Dex III.

 

[KidVermicious]

As far as I know the factory fill is some sort of Power Steering Fluid, though Toyotas still can use a Dexron III or compatible ATF in place of dedicated Power Steering Fluid. Some of our older guys mentioned that in the old days they used straight ATF from the factory and when there was some complaints of noise they used a dedicated PS fluid and that solved the issue, otherwise the two fluid are compatible and should not harm the vehicle.

So, just for the record, in the first 4Runners they used ATF and nothing else. I can't speak to the 3rd gen or later, but in the 1st and 2nd gen PS fluid will ruin the seals and can lead to hard steering and an early death of the PS pump if you leave it in there too long. The early 4Runners do NOT like power steering fluid.

Just wanted to mention it in case a new owner of an early truck wanders by and thinks he can use PS fluid in his truck too. ATF only, at least pre-96.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

So, just for the record, in the first 4Runners they used ATF and nothing else. I can't speak to the 3rd gen or later, but in the 1st and 2nd gen PS fluid will ruin the seals and can lead to hard steering and an early death of the PS pump if you leave it in there too long. The early 4Runners do NOT like power steering fluid.

Just wanted to mention it in case a new owner of an early truck wanders by and thinks he can use PS fluid in his truck too. ATF only, at least pre-96.

I wonder what the reason behind that was?

 

[KidVermicious]

I wonder what the reason behind that was?

Couldn't tell you, my owners manual doesn't say anything about why. Just says to use with Dexron II (you heard me) ATF.

Googling "why ATF instead of PS fluid" brought me to this thread. Interesting reading, apparently it's not just a Toyota thing.

 

[MAXISTYLES]

This is what South East Toyota supplies to their dealers. Container does not say Dexron III or II anywhere on it. I called the number on the back and they advised me that it is Dexron III but I don't know if I believe it. Maybe someone has additional info on this.

 

[kman79]

How are you guys doing your flushes?

Are you guys just using a pump to remove the old fluid from the reservoir and put new fluid in?

I was thinking of disconnecting the return line and using a barbed fitting to connect to a longer hose that drains to a bottle. Figured I would turn the car on and move the steering wheel left and right and fill the reservoir before it empties while doing so.

Anyone know the ID of the return line hose?

 

[gary419]

I was wondering the same thing about complete change.
I just pump out the reservoir and replace with new fluid, pretty easy to do with a Mity Vac. I'll be replacing with Dex III.

 

[1000MPH]

I've been replacing the Power Steering fluid with Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF using the turkey baster method every oil change or so for about 3 years. At first, I repeated it several times while moving the steering wheel lock to lock. Now I just replace what is in the res.
The old fluid seems as clean as the new. No issues so far.

Mobil 1™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid | Mobil™ Motor Oils

$6.99/qt at my local Summit Racing.

 

[MAXISTYLES]

Prestone Asian Formula PSF

I've been replacing the Power Steering fluid with Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF using the turkey baster method every oil change or so for about 3 years. At first, I repeated it several times while moving the steering wheel lock to lock. Now I just replace what is in the res.
The old fluid seems as clean as the new. No issues so far.

Mobil 1™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid | Mobil™ Motor Oils

I contacted Prestone about their PS fluid for Asian vehicles and the response from them was that it is in fact Dexron III ATF fluid without the red die. I think I will be using it next time I do the flush.

Prestone | Products

 

[T4R2014]

Lmao some of you guys are batshit insane. If Prestone Asian PSF is dexron without dye for more money then just buy Dexron. It's power steering. I use synthetic in it because I have a bunch of synthetic ATF laying around. Even then, you could run Supertech ATF forever in these things. Age plays a bigger factor in when your power steering system will die, not whether you used some Dexron without red dye.

 

[catrains]

I've been replacing the Power Steering fluid with Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF using the turkey baster method every oil change or so for about 3 years. At first, I repeated it several times while moving the steering wheel lock to lock. Now I just replace what is in the res.
The old fluid seems as clean as the new. No issues so far.

Mobil 1™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid | Mobil™ Motor Oils

$6.99/qt at my local Summit Racing.

I have used mobil synthetic dexron III/merc transmission fluid in my GM transmissions since 1999.. non synthetic dexron III is a banned GM fluid so GM no longer has this used or allowed in the vehicles..

I still have these GM vehicles and no transmission failures .

toyota does say dexron III so using the synthetic dexron III should be with no problems.. dexron III synthetic has the same viscosity as the NON synthetic which is why I still use this mobil tranny synthetic fluid in my GM transmissions ..
Dexron VI is a slightly different viscosity than the III..

 

[MAXISTYLES]

Lmao some of you guys are batshit insane. If Prestone Asian PSF is dexron without dye for more money then just buy Dexron. It's power steering. I use synthetic in it because I have a bunch of synthetic ATF laying around. Even then, you could run Supertech ATF forever in these things. Age plays a bigger factor in when your power steering system will die, not whether you used some Dexron without red dye.[/QUOTE

What happens if you see red fluid on your driveway and you don’t know if it’s coming from your transmission or your powers steering? Isn’t that the reason factory PS fill is not red.

 

[T4R2014]

Lmao some of you guys are batshit insane. If Prestone Asian PSF is dexron without dye for more money then just buy Dexron. It's power steering. I use synthetic in it because I have a bunch of synthetic ATF laying around. Even then, you could run Supertech ATF forever in these things. Age plays a bigger factor in when your power steering system will die, not whether you used some Dexron without red dye.[/QUOTE

What happens if you see red fluid on your driveway and you don’t know if it’s coming from your transmission or your powers steering? Isn’t that the reason factory PS fill is not red.

I guess I'll check my brakes first. You're contradicting the owners manual. How dare you.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Lmao some of you guys are batshit insane. If Prestone Asian PSF is dexron without dye for more money then just buy Dexron. It's power steering. I use synthetic in it because I have a bunch of synthetic ATF laying around. Even then, you could run Supertech ATF forever in these things. Age plays a bigger factor in when your power steering system will die, not whether you used some Dexron without red dye.

Prestone is racist.

 

[Bmnorm2]

Siphoned the OE fluid from reservoir and filled with Valvoline MaxLife ATF Multi-Vehicle Full Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid today on my 2021 Limited with 36k miles. This fluid says it meets Dexron II, III, and VI.

The stock fluid was still clear/yellow and healthy looking (oh well). Steering pump isn’t really a hardcore duty cycle… some pressure, not much temp, generally no contaminants (unlike engine oil and to a lesser extent the transmission).

Not remotely worried about all the “concerns” being raised in this thread.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Siphoned the OE fluid from reservoir and filled with Valvoline MaxLife ATF Multi-Vehicle Full Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid today on my 2021 Limited with 36k miles. This fluid says it meets Dexron II, III, and VI.

The stock fluid was still clear/yellow and healthy looking (oh well). Steering pump isn’t really a hardcore duty cycle… some pressure, not much temp, generally no contaminants (unlike engine oil and to a lesser extent the transmission).

Not remotely worried about all the “concerns” being raised in this thread.

Did my first power steering flush at 336K miles. Used the clear racist Prestone Power Steering fluid while chanting Idemitsu.

 

[Bmnorm2]

Did my first power steering flush at 336K miles. Use rhe clear racist Prestone Power Steering fluid while chanting Idemitsu.

Only reason I did it was because I thought the fluid looked darkened/browned. I thought maybe it was initial seals break-in. Upon siphoning the fluid it became obvious it was just fine. Thought I was performing some easy preventative maintenance. Good to know your fluid lasted so long without issue!