Power steering fluid

[gunmount53]

I just had a 55K maintenance schedule performed on my 2008 Avalon and the service gal told me my power steering system needs a flush and refill. I think this is something I can do myself with a turkey baster but nowhere in the owners manual does Toyota indicate what fluid to use. Any help would be appreciated.

[Mike Murrell]

My '06 Abvalon came with traditional power steering fluid. I've used the Valvoline and NAPA brand. Valvoline makes NAPA lubricants.

Nothing special like you have with Honda's - they use proprietary power steering fluid.

Your transmission fluid is special - obtained from a Toyota dealer.

A tech on the Camry forum claims you can use Amsoil transmission fluid in lieu of the Toyota WS transmission fluid. I don't know if that's true.

[gunmount53]

I understand some auto brands use transmission fluid rather than a specific pwr steering fluid for their steering systems but Toyota is an exception I guess. Thanks for your help.

[pmesfun]

I noticed the PS fluid was pretty black in the 07 last time I looked under the hood, the cap said the system used Dex II or Dex III ATF. The same fluid my 99 uses so I just changed the fluid while doing an oil change.

[Mike Murrell]

Yes - my '06 Avalon and '04 Tacoma owners manuals say to use transmission fluid.

I find that very interesting as neither came from the factory with transmission fluid.

My '95 Isuzu Rodeo does actually use transmission fluid - came that way.

Pretty easy to distingush between the two.

Transmission fluid - regardless of what type is pretty much the same cranberry color.

Power steering fluid is an amber/golden type color - completely different.

[pmesfun]

I can't remember where I read this, but the original power steering fluid is Dex III without the red dye.

[grandpapa]

I too read this from HL, Camry and other toyota forums. It seems to point to
A) you either go to any part store for power steering fluid (if you want the clear one)
B) use the RED toyota transmission fluid since toyota doesn't carry "clear" "power steering" fluid. and they are the same, the RED just a dye

But the fact is the service manual never mentioned the fluid need to be change.

[Mike Murrell]

You would only change the power steeering fluid if you planned on keeping the car a length of time. My 2 cents.

Car mfgs. have toned down their published maint. requirements in a effort to reduce the perceived cost of ownership - marketing ploy.

They want you in a new car every 3-5 years. If that's your plan - you can simply keep air in the tires and ensure the fluids are at the correct level.

A service writer at a local shop told me of an experiment conducted by a shop with $$$ to burn.

They bought a Honda Accord - brand new.

Drove it 250,000. NEVER changed the oil - kept it topped up. Changed the oil filter once at 125,000 miles.

At 250,000 the car was still running. He never mentioned any other maint. done(or not done) to that Honda

True story - who knows?

[boosted-fc3s]

My dodge uses ATF+4 in the powersteering too. Its a 2002. My Avalon just hit 92k. I plan to keep it until 200k, so I'll probably be flushing all the fluids at 100k, trans, PS, coolant, brake, etc