Dexron ATF for Power Steering Flush. And, Dino or Synthetic?

I plan on doing the Timmy the Toyotaman power steering flush as soon as I am done with the timing belt project. FSM says to use Dexron 2 or 3 ATF for power steering. Just want to make sure Dexron VI is OK to use. (There is also Dexron Merc available.) Note, ii and iii are old specs. And, should I use dino ATF or full synthetic like the Valvoline Dexron VI? What is the best stuff to use (don't care about saving a few bucks).

 

Full Synthetic. Not that more expensive.

 

https://mobiloil.com/en/automatic-transmission-fluid/synthetic-atf

 

MAXLIFE ATF

 

Got it - thanks guys. I see the Mobil1 and also Valvoline makes a full synthetic

 

Oh yeah - how many quarts to get when using the Timmy flush method?

 

If you are using a turkey baster, and driving around and repeating, just start with a quart. If you go through the whole thing and the fluid still looks dirty, get more. It's not like you're SOL if you run out, as long as you are doing the turkey baster method

 

This^^ Every oil change exchange some.

I had a nasty power steering whine when I bought my truck. I did the baster method and now everything is silent and smooth as butter. I dont think that Synthetic is required but I just happened to have some on hand.

 

The PS system is much more sensitive to fluid level and quantity than type

 

Early Dexron (I,II,III) and later Dexron fluids (IV,V,VI) are NOT the same fluid.

so D-IV and above shouldn't be used in systems that require D-III or earlier dexron fluids

Sure, D-III is old spec by now, but there is a reason why you can still find it around: you can't replace it with later Dexron fluids

 

Mobil1 synthetic only mentions Dexron 1/2/3, so I ordered a few quarts

• General Motors DEXRON® IIIH
• General Motors DEXRON® IIIG
• General Motors DEXRON® IIE
• General Motors DEXRON® IID
• General Motors DEXRON® II
• General Motors DEXRON®
• Ford MERCON

https://mobiloil.com/en/automatic-transmission-fluid/synthetic-atf

 

@04tacoma trd

It took me under 2 qts to get mine looking new using the "drain reservoir/refill/10 cycles lock to lock/drain/refill/... Key point is use a measuring cup to see how much you pull out each time and put back the exact same amt. Keeps you from over/under filling each cycle and speeds up the process.

My P/S pump literally starting shuddering one 45 degree morning at first startup, without previous warning. It was also growling very loudly. The steering wheel was shaking about 1" back and forth. Fluid level was full, but when I put some in a glass jar and compared it side by side with some new fluid, I was shocked at how dark it was. I assumed the pump was toast.

It's been 5 months since fluid change, working perfectly. I never would have believed it.

 

There is no, none, absolutely not any, need to flush a power steering system...

What you need to do is put an inline filter in the system. This is an example of what I use: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...8953/4836711/1997/toyota/tacoma?q=58953&pos=0

Believe me when I say, it will get everything out of the system, and it will break the wear chain (crap in the fluid makes more crap in the fluid).

I was having issues with my wife's transmission in her 97 ZJ. It wouldn't shift properly. I put this filter in the system and it immediately started shifting better than it ever had.

That was 4 years ago. I have not touched the system again, except to change this filter once a year. I now run them on every fluid power system (transmissions and power steering pumps) in my vehicles. The fluid in my systems looks like it just came out of the bottle.

 

Dexron fluids are generally backwards compatible to lower numbers. (In doing some research, I had to correct myself- thought they were all backwards comp)

Dex 6 is the stuff you want. It's all synthetic (it's right there in the specs it has to meet in order to be Dex6) and is directly backwards-compatible with Dex3. I use it in my transmission and in the hydroboost brake/power steering system in my S10. Since that pump is running both the brakes and the steering, it requires a quality fluid, and a filter.

I use Dex6 and an inline filter (see previous post) and have utterly no problems.

 

Absolutely bunk! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEXRON

Dexron 6 is directly backwards-compatible with Dex3.

 

Can this be used in my power steering system?? its dexron 6 but I’m feeling like kind of an idiot here. Is this just an additive or atf with an additive?

 

Don’t put that in your reservoir. It’s basically an ATF additive to stop leaks. Buy Valvoline or Mobile Synthetic ATF

 

That would be great if you had leaks in your seals, loosing fluid.

Otherwise I'd just use the reg maxlife