A question before topping my power steering oil - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

cloudsearch · 11-10-2007, 06:36 PM

Hi, my power steering oil is a bit low and I am to top it up. According to the manual, I bought some ATF fluid saying "meets or exceeds requirements of GM Dexron II/III" from pennzoil brand.

My question now is, when I check my power steering oil in the car, it is transparant yellow, and the new one I bought is purple-ish. Can I add them together? Thanks so much for your advice or share of experiences.

cloudsearch · 11-10-2007, 06:42 PM

by the way, sorry for my careless double-post of the original text.

cloudsearch · 11-11-2007, 01:51 AM

I may need to do this soon. Thanks!

***Eye8Pussies*** · 11-11-2007, 02:10 AM

to the best of my knowledge, it should be fine.

what you have right now is actually "power steering" fluid- usually from the factory.

but according to the haynese manual, you can put in dexron III.

personaly, I had the two mixing for a while before I finally flushed the old power steering fluid out and put in ALL dexron III

cloudsearch · 11-11-2007, 11:00 AM

I see. Thanks. I guess I will add a little abit at a time and see if anything goes wrong. Anyway I may only need to add 1/4 qt to make the fluid level above "min".

***Eye8Pussies*** · 11-11-2007, 02:08 PM

also though, something to think about is that you probably have a leak somewhere in your system as well. Either from the rack, the pump, or from hoses (and if you have the hydraulic fans, then from the fan assembly, etc.) since your power steering system is not supposed to lose/gain any fluid in anyway.

so the fact that you have to fill up means that you're losing fluid somehow.

the same amount and fluid can be run for years from the factory.

cloudsearch · 11-11-2007, 06:18 PM

It is a 97 camry so I think maybe it is reasonable. Also, the manual said adding power steering fluid is normal?
In addition, I have not experienced any steering problem (or I do not know it is though I felt it), should I add at all? What will be the phenomina of not having enough power steering fluid?
Thanks again.

Hajoca · 11-13-2007, 08:32 AM

If the reservoir is low, then several things can happen that is really not good

If too much air enters system, and you loose the power assist, but that is only if it gets really low. It would make a terrible noise.

Then the pump if it is not lubricated, wears out really quickly. Some air causes foaming in the fluid and also a loss of steering assist.