Power steering fluid compatibility...

So my power steering fluid is way low on a 2010 standard bed, dbl cab, 4x4, 4.0 Liter V6, 5 speed auto Tacoma with 30,000 miles.

First any insight regarding why this would be? I have put 100,000's of miles on other vehicles and never had any appreciable power steering fluid consumption/loss.

Haynes manual states my 2010 Tacoma takes DEXRON II or DEXRON III ATF for power steering fluid. Is this what it comes with from the factory though? I just happened to notice that the fluid is tan/brown versus the typical ATF red...wondering if the DEXRON III ATF I picked is compatible with the existing fluid. Don't really want to flush/replace entirely...

 

Thanks for any insight.

 

Bump.

 

If it's low, you've got a leak. As simple as that. As far as compatibility the ATF will mix with whatever Toyota puts in there (most likely ATF without red dye).

Since you're at 30k Toyota should fix any power steering leaks under warranty.

Good luck!

 

Use dexron III or better in your P/S resovoir. Should say that on the P/S cap and also in the owners manual. Check the suction and discharge lines for leaks and also around the rack. If no leaks, it may be because it is colder out and the fluid isn't expanding like in warmer temps. Just make sure that when the truck has been sitting cold, that the level is within the cold range lines in the resovoir so that the pump will have positive suction head. Ya don't want to get air in the system.

 

I put some ATF Dexron III in it today. It was so low that in the hot condition the level was at the cold low line.

Thanks for the insight. I will keep an eye on it. Oddly enough I noticed it was low about 2 weeks ago but haven't observed it getting any lower. Now that I have established a known level I will keep an eye on it.