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Question About Power Steering Fluid?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by blazze2005, Jan 23, 2010.

  1. Jan 23, 2010 at 4:32 PM
    #1
    blazze2005

    blazze2005 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My owners manual says to use Dextron II or III for the power steering fluid. I need to add some to it but all the Dextron II and III seems to be red in color,and the fluid that's in my power steering reservoir seems to be a CLEAR Dextron color.

    Is it ok to use the red ATF for topping off the power steering fluid?

    Thanks for any info...
     
  2. Jan 23, 2010 at 4:34 PM
    #2
    Tsenekos

    Tsenekos Well-Known Member

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    mine needs a top up too and was wondering the samething but mine is kinda brown black color
     
  3. Jan 23, 2010 at 4:58 PM
    #3
    Marc M

    Marc M Dirty White Boy

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    I just topped mine off a couple of days ago. I believe the fliud is just very dirty after 85,000 miles.

    I may look to do a power steering fluid flush sometime in the spring.

    Marc M
     
  4. Jan 23, 2010 at 5:00 PM
    #4
    blazze2005

    blazze2005 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Marc,

    What did u use to top of your power steering fluid? Dextron II or II (Red Color)?
     
  5. Jan 23, 2010 at 5:00 PM
    #5
    HondaGM

    HondaGM CallSign Monke

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    i would use only power steering fluid
     
    Kolter45 likes this.
  6. Jan 23, 2010 at 5:01 PM
    #6
    got_titan

    got_titan Well-Known Member

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    the fluid looks like that because its burnt and needs replacing....i just changed mine and used the high mileage dex atf.....it will prolong the life of your power steering pump if you will replace the fluid....all of it.....
     
    Dmil74 likes this.
  7. Jan 23, 2010 at 5:04 PM
    #7
    Tsenekos

    Tsenekos Well-Known Member

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    but the cap say dextron type ATF fluid only:confused:
     
  8. Jan 23, 2010 at 5:06 PM
    #8
    Marc M

    Marc M Dirty White Boy

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    Yes, I used the Dex type II or III

    Marc M
     
  9. Jan 23, 2010 at 5:07 PM
    #9
    got_titan

    got_titan Well-Known Member

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    use the dextron like it says, that's basically what all power steering units use including my tacoma, nissan titan and my mazdaspeed 3....
     
  10. Jan 23, 2010 at 5:07 PM
    #10
    HondaGM

    HondaGM CallSign Monke

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    we use bg power steering fluid at the dealership,i know it says dextron but i would not put it in mine.i've seen some leak because of atf
     
    Rambo MARINE Recon likes this.
  11. Jan 23, 2010 at 5:10 PM
    #11
    blazze2005

    blazze2005 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    how did you do a total flush? Did you remove the power steering lines?
     
  12. Jan 23, 2010 at 6:05 PM
    #12
    Fortech

    Fortech Well-Known Member

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    Also interested in hearing about a flush. I checked mine yesterday and was surprised at how black it was. Appears to be a layer of scum floating on the surface as well.
     
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  13. Jan 23, 2010 at 6:24 PM
    #13
    blazze2005

    blazze2005 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Since my PS fluid is looking pretty brown I'm just gonna change it out instead of topping it off. I'm gonna do it as follows:

    1. Warm up truck/PS Fluid for 15-20 minutes

    2. Shut truck off

    3. Remove PS cap and suck out as much fluid as I can with my Oil Extracter (Engine OFF)

    4. Refill PS reservoir with new ATF Dextron III fluid to the cold fill mark

    5. Put PS cap back on and start engine ,move steering wheel back and forth end to end.

    6. Check PS fluid level and add more if needed

    7. I'm gonna do this a few times till fluid is clean looking

    After smelling the old fluid and the new fluid i can tell they both have that ATF fluid smell to them so I would not use regular PS fluid only use Dextron ATF II or III

    Hope This Helps...
     
  14. Jan 23, 2010 at 7:04 PM
    #14
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    here is a link to do it on the 3.4 v6. Maybe it helps
    http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30489&highlight=flush

    When I did it on my brother's friends truck, we turkey basted the fluid out of the reservoir, filled it to the brim, started the truck for about 5 seconds then shut it off. Then we filled it up to the brim again and turned the wheels lock to lock with the engine off. This pumps the fluid out of the racks. After about 10 - 15 full turns (hold it tight against the lock for a few seconds each time) and a few top-offs of the fluid, new fluid started coming out of the return line. We did it this way instead of running the engine the whole time because you have to pour the fluid in really fast to keep the pump from going dry.
     
  15. Feb 4, 2012 at 1:05 PM
    #15
    hlinares

    hlinares New Member

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    why if it say dex II or III look like amber color
     
  16. Oct 16, 2015 at 5:14 PM
    #16
    Amuro2026

    Amuro2026 New Member

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    Bumping this thread up,

    I also have the same question!? I have a 2012 Toyota Tacoma 4cyl and my owners manual states to use Dex II or III. Bought it with Zero miles, first owner, But!!! The power steering fluid is powers steering fluid NOT ATF... It's an amber looking color and it smells like Power steering fluid, nothing like the color or smell of ATF. The Power steering cap also states use Power steering fluid, a contradiction to what the owners manual is stating to use. Hope this helps some people who are also confuse with this question. Owners Manuel vs what's really inside the power steering reservoir.
     
  17. Oct 16, 2015 at 5:49 PM
    #17
    Lester Lugnut

    Lester Lugnut Well-Known Member

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    I wondered the same and spent sometime googling the matter. I came across a post at toyotanation.com. The author of the post said that the fluid used by car mfgs. is actually Dexron, but it's clear. The red you see in Dexron is a tint that's added during mfg. of the fluid. This person claimed that car mfg. use the clear Dex because they buy in bulk and it's cheaper than the tinted vrsn.

    Just repeating what I read.

    I ran plain power steering fluid in a 1st Gen Tacoma 2.4L 4 cyl. Put 100K on the truck. No problems. Ran the same plain P/S fluid in an '06 Avalon for 200K and I still have it. No issues with plain P/S fluid. I siphon and refill my P/S fluid reservoirs at each oil change. Rotation drain.

    A parts counter employee at a local Toyota dealership told me they use plain P/S fluid in the shop; not Dexron.

    This boutique stuff is also available - made by IDEMITSU. I have used it as well. No problems:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Steer...m25ab6582f8:m:mquEndXEPZ3HbpOvG0vOP9w&vxp=mtr

    I also know guys who use the red Dex-III - no problems.

    Just sayin'......
     
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    #17
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  18. Oct 16, 2015 at 5:59 PM
    #18
    Amuro2026

    Amuro2026 New Member

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    Thanks for the quick reply! And yes, the dealership parts department sales guy also told me the same thing, they use power steering fluid and showed me exactly what the tech would use if I okay a power steering flush service for my Tacoma. Thanks for the info, I'll just buy power steering fluid and knock out the flush myself tomorrow.
     
  19. Oct 16, 2015 at 7:32 PM
    #19
    Jimmyh

    Jimmyh Well-Known Member

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    How did the Dextron 2 or 3 ATF cause a leak in the power steering? It was designed to use Dextron 2 or 3 ATF.
     
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  20. Nov 6, 2016 at 4:17 PM
    #20
    AMartin

    AMartin Well-Known Member

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    Would it be okay to use valvoline ATF+4 transmission fluid? I have some at home, This is what is used in dodges, chrysler and jeeps.
     

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