We'll see if other's chime in, but I would just use Valvoline Maxlife ATF. Cheaper. PS fluid is transmission fluid, usually without a dye. Maxlife in the tranny and in the PS - easy peasy, and no need to buy and store two different fluids. Been in my Camry for well over 100k miles. But if you do want to stick with W/S, then go ahead. I'd trust that over some AutoZone stuff any day.

Let's see who wants to argue that you need a special PS fluid from Toyota.

 

Maxlife in PS too. I did the bleed out thing (jack up the car, redirect the return line, lock to lock the steering) when I got the car a few years ago. I pump out the reservoir and add new every 5000k when I change the oil and filter. I do add a bit of Lucas Synthetic oil additive too.

But when the cold start temp is below 50 F or so, the pump still briefly moans like something very, very unsophisticated, reminding me that Toyota design ain't what it used to be. Oh, and the factory PS supply line and clamp is already seeping.

 

Aurion 2006-2011 aka Camry V6 for Australia recommends ATF Dexron II or III for power steering. Did mine with Castrol Dex III about 6 months ago. They're not fussy at all.

 

c'mon people, what's happening to this forum? we're still on the first page of what should be a multipage discussion regarding the virtues of using ONLY fluids branded TOYOTA on these ~20 year old cars as anything else can and most certainly will cause premature catastrophic failure - as we all know.
I only buy fluids that are personally filled by Mr. Toyoda himself and that come directly from Japan and are then sold directly and exclusively to Toyota dealership's parts departments.
If you buy some other fluid that says it's compatible, even if the owner's manual says they meet the specifications, how can we be sure they are actually good for our cars?
(bazinga)
tony

 

 

Im using Valvoline MaxLife Power Steering Fluid.

 

As AurionX2 points out, Toyota recommends ATF Dexron Type II or III for PS fluid. No reason not to follow this recommendation as Dexron III is widely available and Toyota is not trying to make money here. You can get a gallon for $14 at walmart for Valvoline Dex/Merc, in the blue bottle - It's Dexron III. Or save a buck and get the cheaper SuperTech brand. I flushed all my Toyota's, including the Lexus, with Valvoline. A gallon easily covers two vehicles.

See page 310 of your owner's manual on this electronic version from Toyota's website:

https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM33751U/pdf/OM33751U.pdf

https://www.toyota.com/owners/home?...cleList=false&remRecentVehicle=false&csrfToken=15401909974689049374822811911861

 

I run Castrol Transmax HM in both. It's JASO-1, so good enough for me.

 

I've used Maxlife in all my Toyota and my IS250. It's worked fine so far, but again YMMV. I sometimes use Dex III in cars that do call for it if I'm being cheap or if that was what was being used.

I only been using Maxlife for anything calling for T-IV / WS....of course.