I am running low and the manual really doesnt say what kind to use, it mentions something about dexron (3??) transmission fluid so I am wondering what is the proper type I need to use.

Thanks.

Dexron 3 will do just fine!

X2 Dextron III should do fine if that is what the manual says.
I'd first figure out where the leak is. You should not be leaking or need to add any fluid.

Isn't the fluid a "lifetime fluid" from Toyota?

^x2

why automatic transmission fluid and not power steering fluid?

^^^You can use either one, it's the same fluid.

^^^You can use either one, it's the same fluid.Yeah, only difference is the color. :lalala:

Isn't the fluid a "lifetime fluid" from Toyota?

:rofl:

Regardless of what ANY car maker says, there is no such thing as "lifetime fluids" unless you think no car should go more than 120K miles.

All fluids wear out and/or become contaminated.

PS comes filled with power steerting fluid from the factory only because it costs less than ATF. ATF will serve your PS system better and protect it longer.

Regardless of what ANY car maker says, there is no such thing as "lifetime fluids" unless you think no car should go more than 120K miles.

All fluids wear out and/or become contaminated.
.You must be a tech like me cause that's what I was gonna say... :clap:

Metro273 & HeathenBrewing, I love you guys! Any Dexron III should suit your power steering system just fine. Why not drain and refill it instead of just topping it up? Dead simple to do, and even if it only lowers your risk for pump or rack failure by 10% it's well worth it.

I used the Mobil1 synthetic when I flushed mine at 30K. Good luck to you.

.You must be a tech like me cause that's what I was gonna say... :clap:[/quote]

Nope, just a car nut, thats all.

Metro273 & HeathenBrewing, I love you guys! Any Dexron III should suit your power steering system just fine. Why not drain and refill it instead of just topping it up? Dead simple to do, and even if it only lowers your risk for pump or rack failure by 10% it's well worth it.

I used the Mobil1 synthetic when I flushed mine at 30K. Good luck to you.

Personally, I dont see a need for syn in the PS.

Once or twice a month, I siphon out ~150 mls of fluid from the PS reservoir with a custom tool I made ( a large syringe body w/ length of hose that fits the syringe 'nipple' tightly) and replace w/ fresh ATF. Ive been doing this since new.

I dont really want to disconnect the hoses.....but thats just me.

Personally, I dont see a need for syn in the PS.

Once or twice a month, I siphon out ~150 mls of fluid from the PS reservoir with a custom tool I made ( a large syringe body w/ length of hose that fits the syringe 'nipple' tightly) and replace w/ fresh ATF. Ive been doing this since new.

I dont really want to disconnect the hoses.....but thats just me.

The synthetic is some I had laying around from something else already, so I figured why not. Where'd you pick up the syringe body? I tried the 'turkey baster' method but since the reservoir hole was so small, it was a PITA. Luckily, the return (low pressure) line just has a spring clamp on it under the car so pulling the hose was simple; no threaded fittings to mess with. Seems like some of the stuff on these cars (maintenance wise) was thought out really well.

The synthetic is some I had laying around from something else already, so I figured why not. Where'd you pick up the syringe body? I tried the 'turkey baster' method but since the reservoir hole was so small, it was a PITA. Luckily, the return (low pressure) line just has a spring clamp on it under the car so pulling the hose was simple; no threaded fittings to mess with. Seems like some of the stuff on these cars (maintenance wise) was thought out really well.

Yeah, if I had some syn ATF lying around, Id try it as well.

Syringe body - you can find 'em anywhere…..I found mine at a local swap meet….3 for $1 if I remember correctly. It’s the syringe tips that are much harder to find.

I tried the turkey baster as well, but the bore was too wide and you cant get a substantial amount of fluid out using it. Another reason I like the syringe method - you know EXACTLY how much you take out, so you can put EXACTLY the right amount back in.

Really? Just a clamp? Hmmm…..Im going to have to take a peak down there soon. Thanks!

And you said it, maintenance-wise, these cars are great! I couldn’t believe how easy it is to do oil changes on these things…BRAVO Toyota!

Yup, just a clamp. Follow the lines from the pump down to the rack and you'll find it on the return (plain rubber) line. Take it off and you can just turn the wheel back and forth (car NOT running) to pump the fluid out. Fill it back up and turn the wheel back and forth a couple times to bleed out the air.

I'm gonna check around for a syringe body and try that maybe. Mines normally done with other 30K/2 year stuff (plugs, brake fluid, trans fluid) so the car is already up on jack stands, but with the syringe I could just swap some at each oil change. Hmm.

Yeah, thats what I liked about the syringe....takes all of 5 minutes to do, no jacking/lifting of the box and the most important part......I like doing this kind of stuff on my car.

I use a fluid transfer pump from servicing my outboard motor lower end lube.

New tip: similar to what bb2ner uses, but cheaper.

My girl threw away a bottle of lotion away this morning and I looted the empty bottle for the pump top:

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv169/mytravelpage/IMG_3052.jpg

I filled up some hot water in a cup and pumped it through to rid the top of any lotion, then wiped it down w/ rubbing alcohol to get rid of any film on the outside, then let it dry.

Took me 2 minutes to pump out 12 ozs of fluid and replace w/ 12 ozs of Dexron III. This is not only faster than my syringe method, but it removed MUCH more fluid as well.

^^^^^^^^

Great idea!!

I was using my MityVac, but they are a pain to clean each time.

Might I add to your idea? I think I'll save as many of those pumps as I can, then I can label them for different fluids, ie. brake, P/S etc.

Note to self:
Get pumps from girlfriend's millions of different types of soaps.

The system holds about 1 pint and the stock fluid is typically good for 2 years before it starts breaking down and getting dirty. I pumped mine out by removing the return line fitted I think a 1/2" OD plastic hose to it and worked the steering wheel back and forth to run it empty then started filling it with Synlube PS fluid until it started coming out pink. Synlube is good for at least 5 years and has better lube properties than most fluids. You don't want the PS pump or rack seals to leak so putting some good stuff in there is a really good idea. Remember the pump spins ALL the time the motor is running.

^^^^^^^^

Great idea!!

I was using my MityVac, but they are a pain to clean each time.

Might I add to your idea? I think I'll save as many of those pumps as I can, then I can label them for different fluids, ie. brake, P/S etc.

Note to self:
Get pumps from girlfriend's millions of different types of soaps.

Cheers man!

I like these pumps because the are disposable, so in theory you can treat them as single use once you gather a decent stash of 'em. Just remember to clean 'em before use - I imagine soaps could cause a bit of foam to develop in the PS fluid, which is bad,bad,bad.

Sure, you can use them w/ your brake fluid, but be careful not to get the fluid level too low - you dont want to risk putting air in the lines. This will NOT substitute proper brake fluid flushes though, as the fluid does not circulate through the system. Would be good to empty the old fluid out of the reservoir and then top off w/ fresh fluid BEFORE doing a bleed (gravity or otherwise). Should be obvious, but dont use the same pump for the PS and brake system. For this reason, it would be a good idea to label 'em.

Should be easy to attach a length of hose to the bottom and pump out old fluid from the coolant reservoir as well.

Other than those 3 systems, I cant think of anything else that these pumps would be useful for though, so need to collect too many of them.

The system holds about 1 pint and the stock fluid is typically good for 2 years before it starts breaking down and getting dirty. I pumped mine out by removing the return line fitted I think a 1/2" OD plastic hose to it and worked the steering wheel back and forth to run it empty then started filling it with Synlube PS fluid until it started coming out pink. Synlube is good for at least 5 years and has better lube properties than most fluids. You don't want the PS pump or rack seals to leak so putting some good stuff in there is a really good idea. Remember the pump spins ALL the time the motor is running.

Actually, the systems holds between 1 and 1.3 quarts, IIRC.

Also Toyota does NOT recommend using PS fluid in this system, but ATF Dexron III or IV. Use PS fluid at your own risk. The problem with disconnecting at the lines is the very real possibility of trapping air in the system. The air will cause wear until it works its way out of the system.

I had a quart of Synlube to replace the stock fluid and it took half a quart to do the job. The Synlube was more dense than the factory fluid and that kept the two fluids separate when the Synlube fluid pumped through. I did get some air in the system but most of it worked itself out quickly by turning the wheel end to end and only after a month of driving did the last traces of air clear the system indicated by the need to add a little more fluid to bring it up to full. The air in the rack made a little bit of squishing noise when turning the wheel to the stops but other than that presented no problems. I did save the old fluid for reference. . . somewhere...

BTW there is a screen in the reservoir that only allows a little of the fluid to be removed from the filler cap opening so you really need to remove the rear return line after taking what you can out of the top of the reservoir to prevent spilling out the return pipe when you take the hose off.