Power steering clarification

Hello everyone...you have always been so helpful so here goes. I have a 2017 Tacoma TRD 4x4 Off Road. I want to top off my power steering fluid. Here is the issue:

When I purchased the vehicle, the color of the fluid is a clear amber color. Then I looked at my owners manual and it says to use ATF Dexron II or Dexron III. Well, the color of Dexron is RED. So there is a discrepancy in color between the fluid listed in the manual and the fluid in my Tacoma when I purchased it.

I certainly want to use the correct fluid. I hesitate to add a red fluid to my clear amber fluid. I called Toyota.com and they told me that they are not sure why there is a discrepancy and to email them about the issue...thanks alot but no thanks.

I really do not know what type of power steering fluid is in my Tacoma. Has anyone else had this issue? If so what did you find out? What is the solution to this issue/problem. What fluid can I use? I do not want to cause any damage and want to use the same color of fluid.

Any assistance and your knowledge would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Zenny

 

It may be as simple as, the factory gets all the fluids in bulk, and the fluid they use in the power steering res. is not dyed.
I dont know that for a fact, but its all I can think of.

 

Was your truck manufactured in Mexico?
Might be a corona fill in there.

 

It's simply not dyed from the factory. It's transmission fluid but they have no requirement to dye it, thus cost savings.

Factory top up is Toyota D/M but ANY transmission fluid works. You can use synthetic, non, dextron, mercon. It doesn't matter.

 

If its going to worry you take it into the dealer.

 

How come ya need a top off anyway? Leak?

 

Thanks all for your replies. The following questions are in order:
1. Saying that Corona is in if manufactured in Mexico is not helpful.
2. I cannot find ATF that is not dyed. All that I have found is RED in color. Can I mix the Red Dexron with the amber color fluid that was in the reservoir when I bought the Tacoma?
3. I do not have a leak...I just want to add to top off.
4. The dealer cannot clarify why the owners manual says ATF Dexron II or III, which is RED and the fluid in the reservoir when purchased is amber in color.

I am still unsure as to what fluid to use in my 2017 Tacoma.

Any additional clarification is welcomed and thanks in advance.

Zenny

 

I went through this just a month ago when I flushed my system. Yes, it's Dexron that is not dyed. Pretty much any Dexron that is widely available has the red dye. It is compatible with the non-dyed Dexron. Hope that answers your question.

 

I bet you're loads of fun to deal with. If I could use a larger font I would.

Go and buy Ford power steering fluid, it's not dyed and it will make you happy. Who knows what will happen to the pump, but at least its the right colour.

 

I used this in my Tundra before.

https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-prod...icle-synthetic-power-steering-fluid/?code=PSF

 

I had the same issue with my Fj cruiser, I had to move my power steering reservoir to fit a large battery. I’ve heard that you need to drain all the old power steering fluid and fill it with new which is red, basically you can’t mix them, that’s what I’ve been told by Toyota dealer technician. It is relatively easy task, You need to remove this skid plat and at the bottom Of engine bay you can take one of low pressure rubber hoses out, And use one of those cheap oil pumps to suck all the fluid from steering system. The Oil pump hose perfectly fits on metal hose of power steering system and you can drain all the fluid. Just to be safe I drained it once and I filled the system with new red power steering fluid ran it for 10 min then did the process again and drain it so make sure there is no old fluid left in the system.