'05 Corolla power steering

[tarbasd]

Hi,

I'll be doing a PS flush soon; car has 120K miles on it and it still has the factory fill. It's an '05 Corolla, and Dexron II/III is specified. I'm thinking of the following options:

RedLine PSF: Their website states that it is suitable in PS systems requiring Dexron III.

Mobil 1 ATF: They say the same.

Valvoline MaxLife DEX/MERC ATF: This one doesn't say anything about power steering, just that it's compatible with Dexron III. It is also not synthetic, and since I don't want to change this often, I want some good stuff in it.

Anything else?

Thanks,

 

[Kuato]

How about Amsoil.

Edit: on a 2005 a flush might not be the best idea; it is probably better to empty the reservoir then refill then drive awhile and repeat until what you are pulling out is clean.

 

[surfstar]

IMO syn is overkill - new fluid is what it needs. Anything from supertech to maxlife will make the PS system more happy. Just do a turkey-baster drain/fill with each oil change until you use up a couple quarts.

 

[DodgeRamz2007]

Why limit yourself? There are so many options available. Look at some of the Dexron VI applications too. There are plenty of ATFs you can use so you are not limited to just the three you listed.

 

[y_p_w]

Power steering systems that use ATF tend to be extremely tolerant of anything that could reasonably be considered automatic transmission fluid. That being said, some Japanese makes recommend their OEM ATF even when Dexron was previously recommended.

So perhaps Castrol Multi-Import ATF? The label specifically says it's appropriate for PS steering systems that take one of the standards that it meets.

 

[tarbasd]

Thanks everybody.

Amsoil: I don't like the inconvenience that I have to buy it from an Amsoil delaer.

Synthetic being overkill: Since it's such a low cost compared to the cost of a car ownership, I might as well use synthetic, even if it's not necessary.

Flush on the 2005: I'll take my chances... I think the system is in good shape, so I think a flush should not cause a problem. Toyota actually says PS fluid is for the life of the car, so I don't think it was left in for too long.

Dexron VI: I know it is backward compatible for AT, but not sure about PS. I read a lot of argument about that.

Castrol: Again, it's not synthetic - but of course probably nothing wrong with it.

I'm leaning toward Mobil-1. Anybody can think of any problems with that?

 

[Rolla07]

Im using Mobil syn ATF in mine, and it works great! Dont hesitate. I have been doing the turkey baster method and have changed it out a few times. Complete flush and fill likely not a bad idea, but thats up to you.

 

[y_p_w]

Some PS systems are extremely sensitive to air in the system while others (Honda especially) self purge air quickly. If worn, probably the most important thing is to get fresh fluid in there. I've found that it helps most to get some fluid in there to quiet PS pump whine.

 

[michaelluscher]

The new Maxlife ATF is Full syn. Where u been LOL!
I just used some to change the muddy grey FF in Le Camry.
Worked well....

 

[artificialist]

I used M1 synthetic PSF in Toyotas, and it improved steering feel, so I consider it to be worthwhile.

M1 never mentioned being used as a PSF in systems that use ATF, however, it worked perfectly.

 

[supercity]

I would use any cheap DXII/III spec ATF. At that mileage I assume it's going to be very black and dirty. If so, you will never get it clean draining and filling the reservoir, and it may take a few qts flushed through to get it clean.

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: supercity
I would use any cheap DXII/III spec ATF....

+1, sort of. I was eventually able to find inexpensive Mobil D/M at Target as recommended by JHZR for ~$3.20/qt for my 01 Tacoma specing Dex III. Did ~4x manual suction gun PSF reservoir exchanges on mostly original/ff fluid. Reached a clear red color with that service. Mobil D/M has a solid data sheet and multiple approvals, and is an excellent price. And Wally ST no longer has an equivalent Dex/Merc product.

I'm sure Mobil 1 ATF is a good product as is MaxLife ATF that I use in Honda and Tacoma AT's. But for the Toyota PSF both seem overkill with Mobil D/M as an available option.

 

[tarbasd]

Hey, thanks for all for chiming in. I made the decision and flushed the fluid last night with Mobil 1 ATF. It was a surprisingly easy job...

Rolla07: Flush was so easy that I'm wondering why anyone bothers with the turkey baster method. In fact I don't have a turkey baster; I just disconnected the return hose and caught the draining fluid from the reservoir. Then I used a brake bleeder kit to flush the system.

y_p_w: I didn't have a pump whine, I just thought that it's time at 120K.

michaelluscher: I'm embarrassed for my ignorance... but I never studied ATF, because I have a manual trans. So I see that there are actually two types of MaxLife.

artificialist: Actually M1 does mention it using it in PS. Go to this page:

Mobil 1 ATF

then click on "Applications". It says down there "Recommended by ExxonMobil for use in any power steering unit where a DEXRON® or MERCON® fluid is recommended."

supercity, sayjac: I also assumed it would be dirty, but it wasn't. I was surprised to see it was nice golden colored - I'm not sure what it was like when it was new, but it did look new. I'm happy I chose a quality fluid.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: tarbasd
y_p_w: I didn't have a pump whine, I just thought that it's time at 120K.

michaelluscher: I'm embarrassed for my ignorance... but I never studied ATF, because I have a manual trans. So I see that there are actually two types of MaxLife.

I didn't have any pump whine in my WRX at 100K miles, but I did it anyways. I'd say it was an itch to do something for my car. Now my wife's Honda did. I was told it could be due to a leaking O-ring but once the fluid was topped off maybe an ounce the whine was gone. That was telling me the fluid additives were worn and a tiny amount of fresh fluid put enough additives back in to quiet the whine. I did the complete purge just because I had all the parts and it didn't take too long.

As for ATF - several manual transmissions specify ATF as a fluid. It's mostly certain Ford models.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: tarbasd


then click on "Applications". It says down there "Recommended by ExxonMobil for use in any power steering unit where a DEXRON® or MERCON® fluid is recommended."

I'm glad they added that. The last time I used M1 ATF was several years ago, so it makes sense that they changed their labeling.