Toyota PS fluid questions

[hate2work]

The Amsoil lookup guide tells me to use ATF for PS fluid in my Tacoma, but the fluid in the reservoir is clear, not red like ATF. Since I can't figure out how to actually flush the system, I'll just do a series of sucking out what I can and replacing with the same amount of fluid.

Since I won't be able to remove all the PS fluid, is it OK to mix the Amsoil ATF with the Toyota PS fluid?

Or should I use a different PS fluid than Amsoil ATF?

 

[AzFireGuy79]

Use ATF. Toyota uses ATF without dye when new. Flush with amsoil ATF or drain and fill. I use Redline D4 in all of my toyotas and have heard amsoil works just as good.

To flush, remove the return line. Plug the reservoir nipple so fluid does not leak out. Attach a clear 3/8 hose using a 3/8 hose barb/mender male to male to the return hose. Assuming the reservoir is already drained of old fluid, fill it to the top with ATF of your choice. Jack the front of the truck up so that the wheels are just off the ground. With the engine off, turn the wheel from lock to lock having someone keep the reservoir full. After fluid exiting the hose is a bright red color or about 1 quart has been purged, reconnect the lines, top off and bleed the system by starting the truck and turn the wheel from lock to lock.

 

[hate2work]

OK, thanks, I'll just use the ATF.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: hate2work

Here's a tutorial with pics showing one method of a complete PS fluid change, it looks similar to what dirtydanny described.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19334


Why don't you flush PS system with this method ? It seems easy and parts cost is little.

 

[AzFireGuy79]

Thats the same method I use and recommended to the OP.

 

[crinkles]

make sure you are not looking at your brake fluid reservoir.

 

[Donald]

I think synthetic ATF for a PS system is way overkill. I have (had) a 94 Camry and could not suck it out with a turkey baster because of the way the reservoir was designed so I unscrewed it off the fender, took off the lower hose and drained it into a small container. Did this 3 Saturdays and called it a day. I think I used some plain Dex III. The demands on a PS system are no where close to that of the ATF, its a plain hydraulic system.

For example on a Merc outdrive boat the trim system (with hydraulic pistons) has to move up the outdrive up against 260 HP pushing it down and the system uses 30W non detergent oil. That takes a lot more effort than PS on any car.

So if the vehicle called for ATF I would use the ATF it called for but would not bother with synthetic.

Having said all this I do use Amsoil in the transmission and have a Magnefine filter on it as I think that is where its important.

 

[AzFireGuy79]

"make sure you are not looking at your brake fluid reservoir". -crinkles

Did that just happen!?

 

[Ken2]

Unless the ps fluid has been contaminated, there is no need to be concerned about mixing nor a 100% flush. Just suck or drain out the fluid from the reservoir, fill with the new stuff, drive around the block, drain & refill again, drive, drain & refill until you've gone through a quart of atf. You're good to go.

If the ps has been contaminated with a wrong product...brake fluid, antifreeze, etc., or has metal bits from a failed steering box, you then need several 100% flushes with the right fluid.

A Magnefine or SPXfiltran inline filter is a good idea to extend steering system life. All hydraulic systems live longer with filtered oil.

 

[Donald]

I think synthetic ATF for a PS system is way overkill. I have (had) a 94 Camry and could not suck it out with a turkey baster because of the way the reservoir was designed so I unscrewed it off the fender, took off the lower hose and drained it into a small container. Did this 3 Saturdays and called it a day. I think I used some plain Dex III. The demands on a PS system are no where close to that of the ATF, its a plain hydraulic system.

For example on a Merc outdrive boat the trim system (with hydraulic pistons) has to move up the outdrive up against 260 HP pushing it down and the system uses 30W non detergent oil. That takes a lot more effort than PS on any car.

So if the vehicle called for ATF I would use the ATF it called for but would not bother with synthetic.

Having said all this I do use Amsoil in the transmission and have a Magnefine filter on it as I think that is where its important.

 

[AzFireGuy79]

Some would say the use of a magnefine is way overkill. Personally I see the benefits of using a synthetic in the power steering systems of most cars and trucks I have owned through the years. Better cold/hot performance, less maintenance.

I see the benefit of a magnefine although I think its overkill in most applications. Merely changing the fluid on a regular basis will get you more equipment life than you will most likely ever need. The above selling points of a synthetic in this application make it more sensible in my mind than any filter.

 

[wantin150]

Personally, I just use Dex III in mine and use a piece of small diameter tubing to suck out the res. It takes about 8 oz to refill. Do this every oil change. Not a true flush but it keeps adding fresh fluid (additives).

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Originally Posted By: hate2work

Here's a tutorial with pics showing one method of a complete PS fluid change, it looks similar to what dirtydanny described.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19334


Why don't you flush PS system with this method ? It seems easy and parts cost is little.


Yeah, I would definitely use this method, except on my 4 cyl Tacoma, the metal PS reservoir only has one hose attached to it, and I'm not sure if it's the inlet hose or the outlet hose. The Corolla is very similar to what is shown in that tutorial, and I will flush it using that method. But the Tacoma has me baffled, so I'll just take some out and replace it several times over a few days time.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
"make sure you are not looking at your brake fluid reservoir". -crinkles

Did that just happen!?

Nope, this is definitely the PS fluid, and it's clear. PS reservoir is in the front middle of the engine, brake fluid reservoir is on the driver's side back against the firewall.

But I can see how someone could make that mistake, both fluids are similar in color.

 

[crinkles]

Originally Posted By: crinkles
make sure you are not looking at your brake fluid reservoir.


just playing devil's advocate because OEM brake fluid is pale yellow/clear down here! i know it must be hard to confuse the PS reservoir with the BF and master cylynder assembly etc. but i have done stupider things!

 

[3Toyotas]

The easiest way i've found is to use a shampoo bottle dispenser. It's larger than any spray bottle tube, and the job goes pretty quick.

OP... i started doing drain and fills on my 07 tundra with only 25k miles on it, and after the first one i noticed the steering was easier. Only in my head? I don't know.

Now i've performed several and i beleive it's mostly all Amsoil ATF by now.

 

[Bruce T]

Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
Use ATF. Toyota uses ATF without dye when new. Flush with amsoil ATF or drain and fill. I use Redline D4 in all of my toyotas and have heard amsoil works just as good.


I agree with AzFireGuy79. Synthetic PS fluid isn't overkill to me. I ran Red Line D4 in my 97 Camry's PS unit, and the steering was significantly quieter and smoother. I had an issue with the original unit burning out with OEM fluid, but after the switch to synthetic, it ran cool and trouble free. Synthetic PS fluid is low maintenance, so I didn't change it until 50k miles. I'm not pushing a certain brand. As he says, Amsoil fluid is also good.

 

[unDummy]

Most PSF systems are undersumped, undermaintained, undercooled.... so upgrading to a synthetic is a great idea.
Since its rarely maintained, a synthetic isn't going to kill the budget.

Inline filtration is a great upgrade. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/particle-counts-magnefine-on-power-steering.119685/

If you don't want the hassle of flushing, just pick a reasonable siphon/refill interval. I siphon/refill mine at every oil change; that's about twice a year with maybe a pint of ATF each time.

 

[Eddie]

Evey year I do a syphon/refill of my PS and brake fluid.

 

[JohnBrowning]

Toyota use's dye free ATF. Mine is brown and so was Moms when new. The top of the powering lid should say use DexII or better and it should say the same thing in your owners manual!Your engine use's API SM GF3/4 motor oil just in case you where going to ask!

So you can technically use any ATF you want I have used ATF+3,DexVI, Amsoil,M1,Redline ATF's and never had an issue in any of out Toyota's!