Power steering fluid question (13 Viewers)

[Caveman Cruiser]

My power steering fluid is a bit low and I want to top it off. I know the manual calls for Dexron III but I don't have that. I do have Toyota ATF WS and also Valvoline Maxlife ATF which is compatible with Dexron 6. Which one would you recommend?

 

[linuxgod]

My power steering fluid is a bit low and I want to top it off. I know the manual calls for Dexron III but I don't have that. I do have Toyota ATF WS and also Valvoline Maxlife ATF which is compatible with Dexron 6. Which one would you recommend?

I recommend driving to the auto parts store and buying the right fluid

 

[gasman4u]

My power steering fluid is a bit low and I want to top it off. I know the manual calls for Dexron III but I don't have that. I do have Toyota ATF WS and also Valvoline Maxlife ATF which is compatible with Dexron 6. Which one would you recommend?

check out the following threads:

Thread 'How to change the power steering fluid.'

May 11, 2024

Changing the steering fluid is one of the easiest maintenance jobs on the Cruiser. I highly recommend doing this every 20k-25k miles. Each time after I change the fluid, the steering feels like smooth melted hand-churned butter dripped across soft-silk chocolate.

You will need:

• Pliers
• Small clean glass bottle or similar
• Small disposable cup or similar
• Drip pan
• Floor jack – every now and then Harbor Freight has these on sale
• Wheel chocks
• Clean sock
• 1 ear plug (or 2 if you drop one in the engine bay and can't find it)
• Glovers, rags, tissues
• Suction device...

• RT Cruiser
• Replies: 10
• Forum: 200-Series Cruisers

• 

 

[Sandroad]

My power steering fluid is a bit low and I want to top it off. I know the manual calls for Dexron III but I don't have that. I do have Toyota ATF WS and also Valvoline Maxlife ATF which is compatible with Dexron 6. Which one would you recommend?

Why is it low? After you figure that out, if it’s just a matter of a couple ounces I would leave it alone rather than adding whatever you have sitting around.

 

[Caveman Cruiser]

The car has 105K miles on it and it's probably never been replaced. It's a bit low and that's not super odd given the age. I will do a complete flush soon but for now I just want to top it off with what I have. Looks like some people have used the Valvoline with no problems. But still not sure if these two are really different from the Dexron III or is it just all the same....

 

[gasman4u]

Napa auto parts has Idemitsu PSF in stock around me. Idk about CA, but that's the stuff they use from the factory as PSF per CCN (all hail his name).

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

To answer your question Dexron VI is backwards compatible with Dexron III and can be used in this application. You have the right idea by putting a flush on your agenda.

 

[bloc]

I’ve been using DexVI for about 60k miles without issue.

 

[gasman4u]

I’ve been using DexVI for about 60k miles without issue.

 

[bloc]

I know.

The backwards compatibility objective was enough to convince me.

I would not put WS in there though. The fact that toyota would specify DexIII when they have WS in their regular parts system tells me there is a fundamental reason it's not a good idea. Without knowing what that reason is, I can't make an informed decision.

TBH the Idemitsu stuff is probably best but Napa bailed on my market a long time ago.

 

[gaijin]

I know.

The backwards compatibility objective was enough to convince me.

I would not put WS in there though. The fact that toyota would specify DexIII when they have WS in their regular parts system tells me there is a fundamental reason it's not a good idea. Without knowing what that reason is, I can't make an informed decision.

TBH the Idemitsu stuff is probably best but Napa bailed on my market a long time ago.

I agree. Also, just FYI, Napa does not recommend the Idemitsu Power Steering Fluid for use in my 2013 Land Cruiser:

HTH

 

[gasman4u]

I agree. Also, just FYI, Napa does not recommend the Idemitsu Power Steering Fluid for use in my 2013 Land Cruiser:

View attachment 3976329



HTH

CCN has spoken in recommending it for our LC’s. His word overrules any Napa propaganda.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

I agree. Also, just FYI, Napa does not recommend the Idemitsu Power Steering Fluid for use in my 2013 Land Cruiser:

View attachment 3976329



HTH

"doesn't fit"..haha

 

[bloc]

I agree. Also, just FYI, Napa does not recommend the Idemitsu Power Steering Fluid for use in my 2013 Land Cruiser:

View attachment 3976329



HTH

Probably says that because the owner's manual doesn't explicitly allow it.

Then again the manual calls for DexIII which doesn't seem to be in a 200 from the factory.. Or if it is, they got it without the dye.

I wonder who in Toyota Engineering that CCN got that information from, or if he's just stating assumptions as fact.

 

[gaijin]

Probably says that because the owner's manual doesn't explicitly allow it.

Then again the manual calls for DexIII which doesn't seem to be in a 200 from the factory.. Or if it is, they got it without the dye.

I wonder who in Toyota Engineering that CCN got that information from, or if he's just stating assumptions as fact.

Napa do recommend other "Power Steering Fluid" products which make no reference to Dexron III compatibility:

Again ...

I decided on Mobil 1 Dexron III compatible ATF as my PSF substitute.

 

[bloc]

Napa do recommend other "Power Steering Fluid" products which make no reference to Dexron III compatibility:

View attachment 3976426

Again ...

Good catch, but I still wouldn't put much weight in it.

Even toyota doesn't know what parts fit their vehicles on occasion.