Fluids change question

When you called Toyota, did you tell them you were going to mix the coolants? Universal coolants are fine - I'm running Walmart's SuperTech on all my Toyota products, but when changing from one type to another, you should flush out the old stuff. And never get 50/50; its a waste of money. Get the concentrate; pour in a quart or two in radiator, then a quart or two of distilled water; when you reach half of bottle, fill it with distilled water and you know have a 50/50 mix.

 

Timing belt?? on which vehicle?
Assume you meant serptine belt

 

so basically dont use PS? im just gonna goto the dealer and use the toyota brand, however i dont think the lucas power steering fluid will cause any problems

 

You can use PS fluid just fine, as long as as its very clear it meets or exceeds the OE spec.

As far as ATF goes, Dex II, III have been out of production for years. So any ATF that is compatible/supersedes the Dexron is just fine too.

Vehicles spec fluids based on what is available when they are made. But fluids continue to improve, and are almost always backwards compatible. Keep a vehicle long enough and you'll always have to be shopping for compatibility.

 

He's got an '04, likely the 3.4L

 

This. I'm using it on my Taco woth no issues. Cheaper than OEM and is OEM spec for SLLC.

 

thanks!

 

Bill they had the Dex III at AutoNation Toyota when I was there...
On the SALE rack, I suppose they are selling off old stock?

 

Don't mix coolant.....use the pink Toyota coolant


Don't use ps fluid. Literally says right on the cap to use atf

 

Dexron III (Dexron is/was a GM product) licensing ended in 2006.

It was replaced by Dexron VI. The only thing I see now that is a direct line is AC Delco Dexron VI

There are many other brands that say Dexron III (or II or VI) on their product, but those are compatible products, not an actual GM/AC Delco sourced bit.

I'm assuming what you saw was Toyota Dexron III? Can't imagine them having a GM labeled product in their place, and certainly not something 10 years old.

Anyway Dexron III product is certainly available. Easily. It's just that it's not under the old GM Dexron label, but the Dexron formulation used by other manuf. now.

There were several issues with Dexron III as a trans fluid, and they even had some subsequent versions, like Dexron III H and something else. But finally gave up and went to the Dexron VI.

BTW, Dexron VI products are fully backward compatible as well, so no issue using that in the PS system either.

Personally, on a little race prepped street car I had there was a foaming issue of the PS fluid under hard use (at closed course events). I replaced it with the Valvoline Max Life full syn ATF. Problem solved. I used it that way a couple of years. It's been sold for 5, and the new owner is still on the same fill, issue free.

 

I think you were distracted by his avatar...

 

Just remembered I have Beck/Arnley coolant in my Tacoma right now, but I was already ordering my pump from Rock Auto, and they had this for $13 per gallon so I just went ahead and ordered it too.

Both of my Tundras have the Pentofrost A4 from Autozone I mentioned earlier though.

 

Don't use Power Steering fluid it will cause problems with your steering rack. Use what is recommended by Toyota.

 

You guys will spend top dollar on bolt on's but not an extra few bucks on OEM coolant. Get the OEM Pink, its what Toyota recommends. Putting Prestone in your truck is like running a Fram filter with Supertech Oil. And your truck's power steering fluid is ATF. Read the cap and the owners manual. I just flushed mine with ATF.


https://media2.giphy.com/media/tvSt5pFRFrUpW/giphy.gif

 

You are dumb to put power steering fluid in something that requires ATF not power steering fluid. You are asking for issues if you do that

 

I dont agree, many aftermarket company's actually make equal if not better fluids than OEM toyota ( which is probably made by a big name brand anyway). If your truck is out of warranty then id fully move away from OEM fluid unless you dont like to save $ and pay for the "toyota" name

 

Peanut oil probably wouldn't hurt it for awhile, but it isn't what the manufacturer calls for. Read the thread. Read your manual. If you want to be safe, use manufacturer recommended fluids and do it yourself. You can either use the Toyota brand stuff, or one of the viable alternatives in this thread which specifically say they meet those manufacturer related specifications. Example: Valvoline Asian or Zerex Asian specifically states they meet the requirements specified in your owner's manual for coolant. Likewise Valvoline MaxLife ATF specifically states it meets the requirements specified in your manual for power steering.

This isn't rocket surgery here. It is two very simple maintenance items on your vehicle. Take your owners manual to the store the next time and match what it says to the label on the bottle. Don't just walk in, close your eyes, hand out some money, and then feel all confused and disappointed when the shit isn't what the book specified. and yes, there is some flexibility with some of the reccomendations-you should probably follow the book though.

 

Lol, thanks for clarifying. Yes it is the 3.4 (Sorry for lurking in the 2nd Gen zone. Sometimes I click on a post at the home page w/o checking the forum it's under.)

The wife knows not that her cheeks grace my posts. If I or the cheeks disappear, the gig is clearly up...

 

When in doubt just use OEM for peace of mind, even If it costs slightly more, it's not a big deal.

 

Just going with oem everything so i know what im getting