Factory Fill Power Steering Fluid - 2015 4.0

What type of power steering fluid is used for factory fill? I bought a used 2015 last week with a little over 13,000 miles and the power steering fluid is clear to yellow with a light brown tint.

The owner's manual calls for Dextron II or III. Does Dextron come in a clear version? All Dextron that I have ever used has been red in color.

 

It's basically Dexron III without the red dye in it. You too can purchase Dexron III without the red dye if your name is Toyoda and order by the truckload.

 

Thanks. Guess I will stick with the quarts since I do not need a truck load.

 

Yep - I've never seen it packaged for the individual users.

 

You don't actually need to change the fluid until 40-50k. I bought a quart of Toyota-branded D3 from the dealer. The power steering system uses very little fluid - less than 1/4 of the bottle. Used another 1/4 bottle replacing the fluid in my Subaru.

 

Thank you for the feedback. It just caught my attention because it is not the typical red ATF.

 

It's just not dyed from the factory, I've asked a few Toyota reps/engs about it.

Any true ATF is a better detergent anyways.

Dex3 works the GM clear/yellow stuff is incorrect.

 

should look like Crisco oil, At 13k miles that stuff is still new, I would change it at the 30k miles maint. intervals, you can suck it out with a turkey baster a few times and refill till its clean, I ran a quart of maxlife thru mine its 90% new/clean. I used Valvoline max life ATF most people use it.

 

Turkey baster method works great and unless there is an easier method, will continue to do this way.

 

I removed the return line and extended to a drain bucket. Then jacked up the front and manually turned front wheels to empty reservoir. Was a very easy and thorough way to flush the fluid.

 

Probably gets more out too. I wonder does letting it drain completely hurt the pump, similar to the master cylinder? Might have to try that method next time.

 

me too, don't want the mess with flushing the lines this way does an adequate job done regularly

 

I'm normally in the turkey baster or partial change camp(brakes, transmission, radiator), but the complete power steering flush/replacement is maybe a 45 minute job and that includes jacking the truck up. That and the fill for my PS reservoir is too small for any normal turkey baster without modifying it.

I did it a couple years ago with Valvoline Max Life. Easy as heck to do.

Edit: Used this method-https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/power-steering-flush.416379/

 

The pump is not running so can't see how it would hurt. The fluid container did go dry occasionally but always primed back up when more fluid added.

I used two quarts total for a thorough flush.

 

This is true! I ended up using a suction gun with 1/4" fuel hose to suck out the fluid from the reservoir. I bought the suction gun earlier for filling the transmission, so no extra cost incurred.

 

I am not putting Red ATF fluid in my Power Steering.
I like that it is clear and can readily see if old/dirty.
Used clear Valvoline Maxlife Power Steering fluid Part No. VV335.
I like that is has additives to protect/heal wore seals. Downside: It's not a Synthetic.
Has anyone used Prestone "Asian" Synthetic Power Steering Fluid? It is available at Walmart.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Prestone...les-12-oz/35764368?fulfillmentIntent=In-store

 

I use M1 ATF

I could easily use steering hydraulic fluid but I believe M1 ATF falls within the approved list.

Red ATF is clear.
Automotive manufacturers switched to synthetic for less pump cavitation, no longer selling old mineral-based fluids.
I believe their synthetics are reverse-compatible and the part numbers supercede to replace old mineral.

Yet you went out of your way to find mineral. Nice!

Wait until you find out what ATF does in a vehicle (applies pressure, lubricates, is pumped)

I don't put WalMart products in my vehicle

 

Just changed my PSP and re-filled with... SuperTech Dexron III bright red tranny fluid!

Nothing's blowed up or fallen apart yet! Doing the flush beforehand was way easier than I anticipated and I plan on making it part of the regular maintenance.

A couple of things I did that made the PSP swap easier: Undid the air intake to make it easier to access from the top and undid the swaybar bushing bolts to get the pump out from the bottom...

 

This method is so easy, I do it nearly every year. I just did both our trucks the other day and found, especially on the 2006, that when I flush with this method, the first few turns of the wheel yield the darkest fluid. Turkey baster method might be fine for some, but I'm convinced the added steps of pulling the return line, capping the reservoir, jacking up the front end and turning the wheels produces the most complete flush of the system.

I've been running Valvoline MaxLife ATF since all the way back to my 1st gen and flushing this way without problems. Cheap, available at Wally World and when the red fluid gets darker in the reservoir, I change it.

 

I just used Valvoline maxlife tranny fluid.