Power Steering Fluid Question

[ericcyl]

Is there any special type of fluid that I should use for my 99 camry power steering system?

Do different brands, or types of fluid make any performance difference?

If they do, which brand or type of fluid would you suggest?

Thank you

[jhbhatia]

brands don't matter as long as your stick with one! if you have a leak, then its your highpressure hose or ps pump!

[ericcyl]

Thank you for replying.

So any power steering fluid that can be found on the shelf will work just fine?

There's no leak; I just want to change it because it has been in there for a long time.

Is there any component that I should inspect or replace when I service my power steering?

Thank you

[ericcyl]

Sorry, more questions.

Someone just told me that I should not use "powersteering fluid" if my system requires "ATF".

Is this true?

Thank you

[ShawnM]

look at the cap. It probably says "use ATF only" in really small letters somewhere.

[Toysrme]

'Lotta cars just use ATF fluid for powersteering fluid. If yours says use ATF only(or Dexron II or II) just use a higher grade synthetic ATF fluid. AMSoil, Mobile 1. Good stuff!

[jhbhatia]

Originally Posted by Toysrme

'Lotta cars just use ATF fluid for powersteering fluid. If yours says use ATF only(or Dexron II or II) just use a higher grade synthetic ATF fluid. AMSoil, Mobile 1. Good stuff!

^^ What he said.
As for powersteering service: I do a lot of preventive maint. When my camry turned 70Kmiles, i had the dealership to the timingbelt replacement. There you can talk to the service tech and they can add powersteering belt replacement and alternatorbelt replacement for a price (for me those two were $24 in addition to the timing belt changing price; keep in mind those belts cost close to 12 bucks a piece, so the labor was not included as it was all entailed in the timinging belt replacement). I paid $224 for all three belts at toyota (keeping in mind i had coupons, and take all my cars there).

[Davee]

Originally Posted by Toysrme

'Lotta cars just use ATF fluid for powersteering fluid. If yours says use ATF only(or Dexron II or II) just use a higher grade synthetic ATF fluid. AMSoil, Mobile 1. Good stuff!

I had power steering leaks --on rack I believe -- 97 Camry LE -- I bought Lucas stop leak steering product & it works! . Not sure how compatible as they don't give much tech detail . It is awfully thick in winter cold (-40!) & restarted leaking last winter . Been good again all summer . I may go back to ATF for the winter . BTW I never flush olds stuff -- waste of time I think.
I will check out the word on this site where some really knowledgable people answer I used to use ATF in winters in dashpots of SU carbs for the same cold weather viscosity issues
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi

[qprint]

My owners manual says to use Automatic transmission fluid Dextron II or III

Reservoir says Dextron III type ATF. I guess ATF means Automatic Transmission Fluid ?
I used to see Power Steering Fluid in the stores a while back

[Toysrme]

Use Dexron ATF... Not powersteering fluid.

[touringcamry]

If it says Dexron II, or III, or ATF, use Dexron III ATF. Do not use power steering fluid. Power steering fluid is available at stores, but that is not what your car uses obviously.

[qprint]

I have Dextron III/Mercon by Quaker State. Its this OK to top up Power Steering reservoir ?

[triggerhappy007]

Originally Posted by qprint

I have Dextron III/Mercon by Quaker State. Its this OK to top up Power Steering reservoir ?

When the engine is cold, fill it to where it says Cold Max. It should be the second line reading bottom to top.