2012 Tacoma V6 Power Steering Fluid Question

Hey everyone, first post in quite a while and would geninely like some help. My 2012 Tacoma is just over 40,000 miles now and I'm really using the truck alot as of lately and just as preventative measure id like to replace the power steering fluid. My question is, who is toyotas OEM manufacturer for the fluid?? The owner's manual says Dextron 2 or 3 ATF , and the dealer gave me Cam2 Power Steering fluid when I asked for power steering fluid and I don't know how i feel about cam2 ... I was just going to get a turkey baster and replace the fluid in the Reservoir for now , cycle it and do that one or two more times, what say you peoples? Thanks, I appreciate the input.

 

If the Cam2 fluid is Dexron 2 or Dexron 3 equivalent you should be okay, but if it's not I don't think I'd chance it. I also used the turkey baster or syringe method. I can't remember if my Tacoma or my wife's Pilot has a very narrow opening for the power steering reservoir so I ended up using a syringe to suck out the fluid (I drilled the part where the needle would go and connected 1/4 inch tubing). The syringe I used was about an inch wide and 8 inches long . . . might have been made for a horse. The steps I followed were:
1) Remove cap. Suck old fluid out. I made sure not to let the fluid level in the reservoir drop below the low mark.
2) Replace with new fluid to the high mark. Install cap.
3) Drive down the street turning the steering wheel from lock to lock (but not holding it at the locks for longer than a second).
4) Repeat. I think it took around four or five times to cycle the fluid.

 

I've used Dexron III in Toyota's that called for it and regular plain-jane power steering fluid. No difference in performance, etc. that I can see. Most of the local dealers I spoke with(Parts Dept.) told me they use regular power steering fluid in the shop.
I also do rotation drains on the power steering reservoir. Siphon at each oil change and refill. You can also do a flush. Write-up on the forum cover flushing.

 

If possible it's quicker to:

1. Chock the rear wheels
2. Lift the front end up on stands
3. Open power steering cap
4. "Turkey baster" out the old fluid
5. Fill with new fluid
6. Turn back and forth to full lock
7. Empty reservoir
8. Refill/repeat

It's easier 'cause you don't have to drive anywhere and you can just start up the truck once in your garage. I think the service interval for the power steering fluid is either 60k or 80,000mi... I can't remember though? Maybe I'm wrong. I flushed mine at 76k or so cause it was black... it's still black.

 

Ok cool, yeah I was gonna do the jacking up of the front as well then rotate the wheel a few times

And the cam2 does not say Dex 2 or 3

Since that's the case, could anybody give me a link to a brand and fluid I should buy?? That would really help out. And does the tacoma call for synthetic or normal fluid?? Thank you.

 

According to marketing wank listed here: http://www.cam2.com/products/Automatic-Transmission-Fluid/CAM2-ATF-D-M.html CAM2 is equivalent to Dexron.

 

Thats not even the fluid they gave me, they gave me this ^^^^^^^^

 

This is definitely a time saver. Good to know. Is the engine running while you're doing the fluid exchanges?

 

I would think so, at least after the old fluid gets sucked out then refilled. the fluid has to circulate in some fashion right? So you can repeat the process

 

I recently flushed the PS fluid on my 06 with two quarts of Valvoline Maxlife ATF. So far so good.

 

You do not want the engine running while you do this.

 

You do not want the engine running during this...

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/power-steering-flush.416379/

I used this method a couple years ago with Maxlife ATF. Had about 80K on it then and have gone 30K since with no issues.

 

I used valvoline max life.. one fluid for all

 

Before I had my Tacoma I had a 97 4runner with 220k miles and NEVER replaced the PS fluid. I drained and changed it
just before I sold it. No problems.
I also did the turkey baster method on 2005 BMW and just swapped fluid every week or so until clean.
Both used cheap ATF dextron 3 from walmart.

 

Not to revive this old thread but just to update, my buddy and I replaced the PS Fluid, ("Used Battery Electrolyte Baster Method") lol, sucked it out a few times, let it circulate, turned the wheel back and forth a bunch of times etc and used Motul Dextron III ATF and its been good. Thanks again!

 

Just don't drain all. Air is bad sometimes...

 

Thanks to all who posted, saved me some time and headache. Power steering was groaning, a lot, on sharp turns and reverse.
Did the syringe mt the reservoir trick, added new fluid, and just about perfectly quiet now.
Edit: That didn't last long. Forgot I wrote this post. When the truck sits all night, it steers quiet for the first few minutes. As it warms up, it groans again. Have to do a full flush and see.