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Power Steering Fluid Question. Red vs brown

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by JUJtacoma2010, Dec 20, 2017.

  1. Dec 20, 2017 at 2:26 PM
    #1
    JUJtacoma2010

    #1
    JUJtacoma2010 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I need to add some power steering fluid to my 2010 tacoma. I called the parts dept at toyota and the guy there told me to check the color of the existing fluid. If its brown, then he said I need the regular power steering fluid. but if the color is red than I need the ATF Dextron 2 or 3. The owners manual says to use ATF. but the color of my existing power steering fluid is light brown.
    So that creates a confusion between whats suggested in the owners manual than what the guy at toyota parts told me.
    Which fluid have you guys used? I am not flushing the system. I just need to add some.
     
    JUJtacoma2010, Dec 20, 2017
    #1
  2. Dec 20, 2017 at 2:30 PM
    #2
    Texoma

    #2
    Texoma IG: Triple C Chop Shop

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    A bunch a cool stickers, a bada ass MetalMiller Tx Longhorns grill emblem painted Hemi Orange, JBA long tube headers with o2 sims, Diff breather mod, Red LED interior lights, Fancy head unit that plays ipod n movies, Also DIY install factory stuff like, factory cruise control, factory intermittent wipers, OME nitro struts with 886x springs and toy tec top plate, JBA high caster UCA's for better alignmnet and dey beefier too, Old Man Emu Dakar leaf springs in da rear with the gear, U bolt flipper, Ivan Stewart TRD rims with 33" K Bro 2's, some bad ass weather tech floor liners so I don't muck up my interior, an ATO shackle flipper for mo travel in da rear wit the gear, also super shiny Fox 2.0 shocks back there too, all sorts of steal armor for bouncing off of the rocks like demello sliders, AP front skid, trans skid, n transfer skid, demello gas tank skid, and a tough as nails ARB bumper with warn 8k winch, I'm sure there's more
    Parts guy doesn't know dick. Use Valvoline max life dex/merc. Would be good if you could siphon or drain some of the old shit out the reservoir then add some new shit, but rolling off will be ok. Cold, go to max cold mark, hot, got to max got mark.
     
    Texoma, Dec 20, 2017
    #2
  3. Dec 20, 2017 at 2:36 PM
    #3
    JUJtacoma2010

    #3
    JUJtacoma2010 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am planning to siphon some out. I will check if my local walmart has the valvoline max atf. thanks again
     
    JUJtacoma2010, Dec 20, 2017
    #3
  4. Dec 20, 2017 at 2:39 PM
    #4
    Texoma

    #4
    Texoma IG: Triple C Chop Shop

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    A bunch a cool stickers, a bada ass MetalMiller Tx Longhorns grill emblem painted Hemi Orange, JBA long tube headers with o2 sims, Diff breather mod, Red LED interior lights, Fancy head unit that plays ipod n movies, Also DIY install factory stuff like, factory cruise control, factory intermittent wipers, OME nitro struts with 886x springs and toy tec top plate, JBA high caster UCA's for better alignmnet and dey beefier too, Old Man Emu Dakar leaf springs in da rear with the gear, U bolt flipper, Ivan Stewart TRD rims with 33" K Bro 2's, some bad ass weather tech floor liners so I don't muck up my interior, an ATO shackle flipper for mo travel in da rear wit the gear, also super shiny Fox 2.0 shocks back there too, all sorts of steal armor for bouncing off of the rocks like demello sliders, AP front skid, trans skid, n transfer skid, demello gas tank skid, and a tough as nails ARB bumper with warn 8k winch, I'm sure there's more
    Some wal marts do, some don't. All parts stores do.
     
    Texoma, Dec 20, 2017
    #4
  5. Dec 20, 2017 at 2:42 PM
    #5
    JUJtacoma2010

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    JUJtacoma2010 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    How much would i Need to siphon 3 times. 5.5 qrts? or just 1 qrt bottle?
     
    JUJtacoma2010, Dec 20, 2017
    #5
  6. Dec 20, 2017 at 2:44 PM
    #6
    BillsSR5

    #6
    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    Vatozone si, WALMART nada
     
    BillsSR5, Dec 20, 2017
    #6
  7. Dec 20, 2017 at 3:11 PM
    #7
    JUJtacoma2010

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    JUJtacoma2010 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    JUJtacoma2010, Dec 20, 2017
    #7
  8. Dec 20, 2017 at 3:45 PM
    #8
    ABNFDC

    #8
    ABNFDC Well-Known Member

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    265/75/16 Wildpeaks, Dakar rear, HS 2.5" front coils
    Instead of siphoning it three times, how about flushing it once?

    I use the method described in this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/power-steering-flush.416379/ Other than jacking the truck up/putting it on stands, it takes about a half hour and that could be shortened if you have a beer fridge in the garage instead having to go to the kitchen for beer.

    I use Valvoline Maxlife ATF, but your owners manual specifies on page 373 to use Dex II or III. Anything backwards compatible will be fine.

    Manual found in your glove box and here: https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM35A51U/pdf/OM35A51U.pdf
     
    ABNFDC, Dec 20, 2017
    #8
    taco2010trd and boogie3478 like this.
  9. Dec 20, 2017 at 3:58 PM
    #9
    Texoma

    #9
    Texoma IG: Triple C Chop Shop

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    A bunch a cool stickers, a bada ass MetalMiller Tx Longhorns grill emblem painted Hemi Orange, JBA long tube headers with o2 sims, Diff breather mod, Red LED interior lights, Fancy head unit that plays ipod n movies, Also DIY install factory stuff like, factory cruise control, factory intermittent wipers, OME nitro struts with 886x springs and toy tec top plate, JBA high caster UCA's for better alignmnet and dey beefier too, Old Man Emu Dakar leaf springs in da rear with the gear, U bolt flipper, Ivan Stewart TRD rims with 33" K Bro 2's, some bad ass weather tech floor liners so I don't muck up my interior, an ATO shackle flipper for mo travel in da rear wit the gear, also super shiny Fox 2.0 shocks back there too, all sorts of steal armor for bouncing off of the rocks like demello sliders, AP front skid, trans skid, n transfer skid, demello gas tank skid, and a tough as nails ARB bumper with warn 8k winch, I'm sure there's more
    2qts oughta do it.
     
    Texoma, Dec 20, 2017
    #9
  10. Dec 28, 2017 at 2:47 AM
    #10
    dlopan

    #10
    dlopan Well-Known Member

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    If it's brown then it needs to be changed. What a maroon.
     
    dlopan, Dec 28, 2017
    #10
    boogie3478 likes this.
  11. Dec 28, 2017 at 4:06 AM
    #11
    boogie3478

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    boogie3478 Well-Known Member

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    Your vehicle manual is not a person and thus is never wrong.
     
    boogie3478, Dec 28, 2017
    #11
    BrianT23 likes this.
  12. Dec 28, 2017 at 7:39 AM
    #12
    taco2010trd

    #12
    taco2010trd Cyber Bully

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    Yes, It's really easy to flush the PS fluid
     
    taco2010trd, Dec 28, 2017
    #12
  13. Dec 28, 2017 at 7:59 AM
    #13
    Texoma

    #13
    Texoma IG: Triple C Chop Shop

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    A bunch a cool stickers, a bada ass MetalMiller Tx Longhorns grill emblem painted Hemi Orange, JBA long tube headers with o2 sims, Diff breather mod, Red LED interior lights, Fancy head unit that plays ipod n movies, Also DIY install factory stuff like, factory cruise control, factory intermittent wipers, OME nitro struts with 886x springs and toy tec top plate, JBA high caster UCA's for better alignmnet and dey beefier too, Old Man Emu Dakar leaf springs in da rear with the gear, U bolt flipper, Ivan Stewart TRD rims with 33" K Bro 2's, some bad ass weather tech floor liners so I don't muck up my interior, an ATO shackle flipper for mo travel in da rear wit the gear, also super shiny Fox 2.0 shocks back there too, all sorts of steal armor for bouncing off of the rocks like demello sliders, AP front skid, trans skid, n transfer skid, demello gas tank skid, and a tough as nails ARB bumper with warn 8k winch, I'm sure there's more
    Drop skid plate, position drain pan, disconnect soft return hose from rack, let drain, reconnect, refill, turn steering wheel lock to lock a few times, top off until fluid stays same level, start truck, top off fluid again, turn wheel lock to lock, top off, done. Repeat as necessary.
     
    Texoma, Dec 28, 2017
    #13
    taco2010trd[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Dec 28, 2017 at 9:42 AM
    #14
    ABNFDC

    #14
    ABNFDC Well-Known Member

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    Easier to do it from the reservoir so you don't have to drop the skid plate, fuck with the fittings on the rack, or even get on the ground.
     
    ABNFDC, Dec 28, 2017
    #14
  15. Dec 28, 2017 at 10:12 AM
    #15
    Texoma

    #15
    Texoma IG: Triple C Chop Shop

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    A bunch a cool stickers, a bada ass MetalMiller Tx Longhorns grill emblem painted Hemi Orange, JBA long tube headers with o2 sims, Diff breather mod, Red LED interior lights, Fancy head unit that plays ipod n movies, Also DIY install factory stuff like, factory cruise control, factory intermittent wipers, OME nitro struts with 886x springs and toy tec top plate, JBA high caster UCA's for better alignmnet and dey beefier too, Old Man Emu Dakar leaf springs in da rear with the gear, U bolt flipper, Ivan Stewart TRD rims with 33" K Bro 2's, some bad ass weather tech floor liners so I don't muck up my interior, an ATO shackle flipper for mo travel in da rear wit the gear, also super shiny Fox 2.0 shocks back there too, all sorts of steal armor for bouncing off of the rocks like demello sliders, AP front skid, trans skid, n transfer skid, demello gas tank skid, and a tough as nails ARB bumper with warn 8k winch, I'm sure there's more
    What are you doing that makes it easier from the reservoir? Siphoning?
     
    Texoma, Dec 28, 2017
    #15
  16. Dec 28, 2017 at 10:15 AM
    #16
    ABNFDC

    #16
    ABNFDC Well-Known Member

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    265/75/16 Wildpeaks, Dakar rear, HS 2.5" front coils
    Remove the return line as described in the thread I linked above.
     
    ABNFDC, Dec 28, 2017
    #16
  17. Dec 28, 2017 at 10:19 AM
    #17
    Texoma

    #17
    Texoma IG: Triple C Chop Shop

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    Chris(Topher)
    Lago Vista, TX
    Vehicle:
    10 Taco 4x4
    A bunch a cool stickers, a bada ass MetalMiller Tx Longhorns grill emblem painted Hemi Orange, JBA long tube headers with o2 sims, Diff breather mod, Red LED interior lights, Fancy head unit that plays ipod n movies, Also DIY install factory stuff like, factory cruise control, factory intermittent wipers, OME nitro struts with 886x springs and toy tec top plate, JBA high caster UCA's for better alignmnet and dey beefier too, Old Man Emu Dakar leaf springs in da rear with the gear, U bolt flipper, Ivan Stewart TRD rims with 33" K Bro 2's, some bad ass weather tech floor liners so I don't muck up my interior, an ATO shackle flipper for mo travel in da rear wit the gear, also super shiny Fox 2.0 shocks back there too, all sorts of steal armor for bouncing off of the rocks like demello sliders, AP front skid, trans skid, n transfer skid, demello gas tank skid, and a tough as nails ARB bumper with warn 8k winch, I'm sure there's more
    That works well, and keeps more air out of the system also. Just makes more of a mess, at least I make more of a mess.
     
    Texoma, Dec 28, 2017
    #17

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