Power steering fluid question

[calskibum]

Today when I went to the local Toyota dealership to get some fluid to top off my power steering fluid level as I noticed that it's below the minimum cold mark, they recommended and sold me Johnsen's power steering fluid. The parts guy said that they use this to top all their cars in the shop. I have a '99 LC that calls for either Dexon II or III. Is the parts guy right or is he just not know better? Also, can I mix Dexon II and III? If not, what would be my best option to top off the level (without drain and fill) since I don't know what's in there right now (I bought the LC used).

Thanks for any input in advance.

 

[GaFJC]

The same thing happened to me a few months back. Walked in the dealership to buy PS fluid and the counter person gave some brand I'm never seen before. Don't recall its name. I used it to top off my PS as it was low due to a clamp leak but I quickly did a fluid flush with synthetic when fixing the hose clamp.

The generic sounding name of what my dealership was selling wasn't a comfort builder but might be totally fine. Either way, many folks on Mud use synthetic AT in their PS. That's why I went that direction.

 

[Ronulus]

Which clamp was leaking? I also have a honda and ill top off the hundy with lucas ps fluid safe for hondas -flushed mine with bg stuff before as well

 

[GaFJC]

Which clamp was leaking? I also have a honda and ill top off the hundy with lucas ps fluid safe for hondas -flushed mine with bg stuff before as well

Mainly the clamps attaching the hoses to the bottom of the ps reservoir

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

I just replaced all of mine last night using this thread (https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/275797-replacing-power-steering-fluid-faq.html).

It's pretty easy. Took less than an hour doing it myself. I got mine almost a year ago and decided to replace all the PS fluid because I didn't know what it was or how old it was. I replaced it with Valvoline Dex VI Synthetic ATF. Seems to have worked fine.

I think you can mix DEX III with DEX II but not the other way around. The back of the bottle of the synthetic VI I used said it could be used on systems requiring DEX II or III or VI.

 

[calskibum]

Thanks for the info. I decided in the meantime until I get to drain and fill my PS fluid, I'll take the conservative route and topped it off with Toyota ATF instead of taking the chance with the Johnsen's PS fluid. I ended up making a second trip into the dealership to get the Toyota ATF. On the back of the Toyota bottle, it states that it replaces both Dexron II and III fluids so I assume this also means that it can mix with whatever it's currently in there, whether it's II or III. I can't believe how costly the Toyota ATF is ($9 per qt.) compared to the Johnsen's PS fluid. No wonder they top off the cars in their shop with the Johnsen's vs the Toyota brand. Soon in the future I'll do a drain and fill since it might not have ever been done by the PO and the LC now has over 174,100 miles on it. Thanks again.

 

[Nottajeep]

I used this stuff and starting a year ago. Seems to be a good solution for high mileage 2nd or 3rd owner car.http://www.lucasoil.com/images/medialibrary/PowerSteeringFluid%20wCondtnr.pdf

 

[GaFJC]

A few MUD'rs have thought about installing a spigot of sorts in their PS and ATF lines for fluid exchanges. If anyone has done this I would like to see the hardware they used. Could me a nice time saver.

 

[hedydd]

Today when I went to the local Toyota dealership to get some fluid to top off my power steering fluid level as I noticed that it's below the minimum cold mark, they recommended and sold me Johnsen's power steering fluid. The parts guy said that they use this to top all their cars in the shop. I have a '99 LC that calls for either Dexon II or III. Is the parts guy right or is he just not know better? Also, can I mix Dexon II and III? If not, what would be my best option to top off the level (without drain and fill) since I don't know what's in there right now (I bought the LC used).

Thanks for any input in advance.

What the dealer probably gave you was what we in Europe call LHM mineral suspension and brake fluid. It is used as brake fluid in many industrial machines and should never be used where conventional brake fluid is specified. I use it as clutch and brake fluid in tractors that call for it, including Case/NH, MF and Fendt.
It is very near to ATF Dexron and can be mixed with it. The advantage over Dexron is that it reduces friction and stiction in comparison, partly due to it being half as viscous.

Dexron II and III are fully miscible by the way. The difference is very minor but where possible I would always use DIII even where DII is specified. But I would not hesitate topping up a reservoir of DIII with DII.

For safety and liability reasons I have to advise that if the manufacturer specifies a specific type of fluid for an application, that is what you should use without second-guessing.


Just noticed that I joined IH8MUD forums six years ago. Oh well! Six years older and deeper in debt.