Question About Power Steering Fluid?

This is the method I used a couple years ago with MaxLife ATF.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/power-steering-flush.416379/

 

Can I use this to top off the power steering, it says it is suitable for use where dexron 2 and 3 are specified

 

Wrong!

 

Read owners manual...

 

Owners manual specifically says DEXII or III.

Even on my 94 yota, it’s filled from the factory with power steering but is recommended to be topped off with DEXII OR III.

 

Trying to decide between these 2 ATF’s for a steering flush!
Thoughts??

Mobil1 Synthetic ATF Dexron/Mercon
or
Valvoline MaxLifeMulti-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid

 

Get the cheaper one, doesn't really matter .

 

I have been using Valvoline MaxLife synthetic ATF in my power steering with no issues. It's dirt cheap at WalMart and its really good stuff. I use it in the tranny as well.

 

And you would be wrong.

 

ATF.
I also used valvoline atf.

 

what he said

 

this is what I done with no issues. Takes about 30 minutes

 

Every oil change I syphon out the reservoir and fill with Amsoil Universal red cap atf or Maxlife atf.

 

Glad I'm not the only one to question this...

This weekend I'm driving to/from South Carolina, and a u-joint went out and i only could take it to a local toyota dealer on Saturday to get back on the road. While there I asked the parts counter for the fluid for my Tacoma's power steering and he gave me a bottle of "their" PS fluid and I asked him is this Toyota power steering fluid (it said a different name brand on the bottle) and he said that's what we use in the shop for all power steering application. I mentioned the ATF cap and manual and he looked at me like I was crazy and replied with "that's the power steering fluid our techs use in every vehicle". I left it alone but the fluid in my taco and tundra are the ATF sort and I've bought Toyota branded PS fluid that was in a small long neck bottle and was the same as ATF fluid just a different container in smaller quantity.

 

ATF (like Dexron) is hydraulic fluid with friction modifiers for the clutches and the red dye added. PS fluid is hydraulic fluid. The PS system doesn't need friction modifiers in ATF, hydraulic fluid is fine. Dexron has been used/specified for 50+ years in PS systems because it is commonly available, but typical PS fluids will state something like "for use in all vehicles..."

 

Went to the dealership last week and they said they use ATF. Bought some Toyota branded from the dealership at $5 CAD for a quart. That's like $3.70 USD. It's dyed pink for the record.

 

This is how I do mine in all of my vehicles. All use the same fluid (even the bmw). I have a lot of the dex 3 from malwart and it's cheap and just fine.

 

My Toyota dealer said they use Dot 4 brake fluid. I checked the fluid when I was having some steering issues, after the engine was replaced. It turned out to be a bad intermediate steering shaft.

 

Was just at the dealer picking up some parts and asked for PS fluid and he handed me a bottle of actual PS fluid... I was expecting ATF dex 2/3 so I didn't get it... He said this is all they use.... Hmm

 

Stealer is an idiot. PS in a truck means long term trouble. Go to malwart and get it cheap.