Need to top off Power Steering Fluid

Manual says to use ATF for power steering. Is it ok to mix the Red ATF with the yellow power steering fluid that's in there right now?

 

Why what's wrong with it? Why is it low?

 

Yes it's OK. The "yellow" factory fill is a proprietary Dexron compatible hydraulic fluid of some kind that has not been dyed red. Toyota has been filling the PS steering systems of its cars and trucks with this fluid since the 1970's. I have used Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF in my 1988 Corolla and 1993 Pickup and their power steering systems have been 100% trouble free and leak free all these years. I changed the fluid in them about every 5 years.

 

If your truck is under warranty and something goes wrong with the power steering they might see that the fluid was changed. Proceed with caution.

 

Not sure why it's low. I just noticed it the other day when I was cleaning my engine bay. I don't see any leak. I'm assuming they didn't fill it up to at the factory. Fluid is below the Cold Low Line (Check it in the morning I haven't started the truck). When engine is hot fluid is at the Hot Low Line. Is that normal? Thanks for the warning.

 

I would make the dealer address this problem.

 

Since the power steering is a full circulation system, unlike the brakes, I drain and refill the reservoir at each oil change to bump the additives. I think this is adequate prevention given the number of power steering racks that successfully go hundreds of thousands of miles without more than the occasional top off.

 

Take it to a dealer and tell them you think it is leaking (even if you believe it came low from the factory). That way if it does start to leak down the road you have early documentation in your service record. Another plus is the fluid should also be the same color if Toyota tops it off.

 

Thanks guys. I took it back to the dealer this morning they checked it for any leaks and couldn't find anything. They just topped it off. I asked if they used the red Transmission fluid because I noticed my fluid seems a little darker now. They said yes that's what they use.

If that's what the dealer uses and it also says in the manual why does it come with the yellow stuff from the factory?

 

I wonder if the manual is wrong, and it's supposed to be either, Toyota PSF(mineral) or PSF NEW-W(synthetic).

 

CHF 202 is what I think the factory fill is

 

Keep your paperwork stating Toyota topped it off. If you have trouble down the road that is your proof the dealer mixed the colors.

 

My searches say that's dark green.

 

11s is green we used that at BMW

 

The 2016 Tacoma's owners manual, just like the 1979 Toyota pickup owners manual says to use plain old inexpensive Dexron II or III automatic transmission fluid in the Power Steering System. Even the cap on the power steering reservoir says to use Dexron ATF. The yellow factory fill has been compatible with red Dexron II or III automatic transmission fluid all those 37 years.