I need to top off the power steering fluid in my 2003 Camry, and the manual calls for Dexron 2 or 3 ATF fluid. I happen to have a bottle of Subaru ATF-HP. Can I use that in place of Dexron 2 or 3?
ATF/PS fluid question RE: 2003 Camry
- Thread starter mojoe
- Start date
Nope. Spend the $6 on the correct stuff
Thanks! Any suggestion as to the correct stuff ..... or just pick one that's a match on the WalMart/Advance/Autozone/O'Reily's/NAPA website?
Any dex3 is fine.
SilentType
Site Donor 2025
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2025
- Messages
- 166
Well $10
$9+ at Napa
$5.50 at Wally’s
And the irony with this kind of stuff is if you’re like me you’ll go buy that brand new bottle, bring it home and open it, then find an unopened bottle of the same stuff on the shelf in your garage. LOLLL
$5.50 at Wally’s
And the irony with this kind of stuff is if you’re like me you’ll go buy that brand new bottle, bring it home and open it, then find an unopened bottle of the same stuff on the shelf in your garage. LOLLL
Thanks guys - headed to Walmart!
SilentType
Site Donor 2025
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2025
- Messages
- 166
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/lets-put-5w-40-in-everything.400673/ Don't forget the 5W-40 while you're there lol
Short answer: Yes
Long answer: supertech dex/merc 3 atf is about $5 at wallys but atf type hp is the dexron 3 equivalent of subaru from before. It's just a hydraulic pump with hydraulic lines, a fluid that's nearly identical will work. Toyota also used dex 3 in their transmissions called t-iv but stopped using it since drain intervals weren't good but you could use the better allison TES fluids in the old toyota transmissions like you could in GM transmissions or the newer dexron vi but not the newer WS from what I understand.
The older dex 3 generation fluids were thicker around 7-8 cst kv 100 and progressively got thinner after that. now it's down to 4 cst. If you use a fluid thinner than spec you could have low pressure issues and more noise or more wear but it's usually the low pressure that causes the main issue. I know some hondas do require some fancy power steering fluid since it's super thick for a power steering fluid at 12 cst and does use a good bit of zddp like hydraulic oil unless it's agricultural spec which can't have any incase it spills into crops. I'd imagine a power steering system having issues if the fluid is half or less than half as thick.
https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/FusionPDS.nsf/Files/A91E6EB4FA471EE980257C23008125A1/$File/ATF Dex III_467172_2013_10.pdf
Long answer: supertech dex/merc 3 atf is about $5 at wallys but atf type hp is the dexron 3 equivalent of subaru from before. It's just a hydraulic pump with hydraulic lines, a fluid that's nearly identical will work. Toyota also used dex 3 in their transmissions called t-iv but stopped using it since drain intervals weren't good but you could use the better allison TES fluids in the old toyota transmissions like you could in GM transmissions or the newer dexron vi but not the newer WS from what I understand.
The older dex 3 generation fluids were thicker around 7-8 cst kv 100 and progressively got thinner after that. now it's down to 4 cst. If you use a fluid thinner than spec you could have low pressure issues and more noise or more wear but it's usually the low pressure that causes the main issue. I know some hondas do require some fancy power steering fluid since it's super thick for a power steering fluid at 12 cst and does use a good bit of zddp like hydraulic oil unless it's agricultural spec which can't have any incase it spills into crops. I'd imagine a power steering system having issues if the fluid is half or less than half as thick.
https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/FusionPDS.nsf/Files/A91E6EB4FA471EE980257C23008125A1/$File/ATF Dex III_467172_2013_10.pdf
Maxlife works well too. I’ve used it for hundreds of thousands of miles on my two Toyotas.
You don’t need much, I just used the same container I used for the transmissions.
You don’t need much, I just used the same container I used for the transmissions.
I have no problem getting a new bottle of atf (thanks for the responses) but it's wild that you can't find any explanations from any manufacturer or other credible source anywhere describing the difference or why ATF-HP can't be used in place of Dexron 3.
I just bought a gallon of Dex/Merc Valvoline for a PS flush in my 4Runner. They carry it at Walmart. The Toyota guys like it just fine.
I just fully flushed the PS on 3 Toyotas. 95 Tacoma, 03 Camry, 05 sequoia. Used maxlife ATF in all 3 and they’re all doing well. Been using that in Toyota PS for years.