Dextron VI OK Instead of Dextron II or III For Power Steering Fluid ?

My manual says to use Dextron II or III for Power Steering Fluid but from what I read Dextron VI replaced Dextron II or III Transmission Fluid and should be used instead of Dextron II or III in Automatic Transmissions - so does that apply to our Power Steering too ? If so is it OK to mix Dextron VI with Dextron II or III in your Power Steering ? Any reply and or Links appreciated.

 

Valvoline says their VI is

“It’s also fully back-serviceable, so it can be used wherever Dexron-II and/or Dexron-III are recommended”

What brand are you using?
https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/dexron-vi-atf/

 

Thanks for the reply. Price is high around here.

 

This site says it’s backwards compatible.
https://www.vehiclesbro.com/dexron-vi-compatibility-chart/

At this point, I’d feel pretty comfortable using it.

 

Wally sells III by the gallon. (SuperTech)

 

My Toyota Dealership sells it for the same price as I paid for Valvoline. I replaced my entire power steering system so I went back to using the Toyota stuff. I don't need the stop leak any more.

 

If thickness matters, VI is going to be thinner because it's a newer formulation for efficiency purposes. But you may not notice at all.

 

The Toyota PSF isn’t red either.
Which is nice, if you have a leak you don’t have crawl under and see what the leak is.
If it’s red, it is the transmission.

If you use III/VI, and later you have a red leak.
It could be the PS or the transmission.

Does any of this matter mechanically? No.
But it makes it easy to tell what type leak you are looking for.

 

I used Toyota ATF in mine which is red....I didn't know there was a difference. I read to use ATF so I got Toyota ATF fluid. Do you think it'll matter, should I change it out?

 

Toyota makes about 3 different types of ATF.
Depends on what one you used.

Do I think what you used will hurt it?
Probably not.
But I can’t say “for sure”.

It’s a power steering pump, it nothing special.
It would probably run on any hydraulic fluid. But that’s not to say you should pour just anything in it.

 

I've been using the red ATF in my truck forever. No problems here.

 

Edited: ATF T-IV is the one I bought. I was planning on using in my ATF as well.

 

Toyota WS is not ATF VI.
I don’t recommend mixing fluids when it comes to transmissions.
Read that again, “don’t mix” the fluids.

Use one or the other.
I’d recommend Valvoline Maxlife in the transmission.
But only if you are doing a full system evacuation and refill.

Can you mix them, yes.
Some guys do drain and fills and refill with Maxlife.
But it’s not good practice to ever mix fluids.

 

Just bought this ATF+PSF at a dealer in Leesburg, VA

 

I’ve been using some auto parts store ATF for the ps for 8 years now with no issues.

 

It says it replaces DexIII
So you should be good

 

Yeah I confirmed with my dealership that using ATF T-IV in the power steering is fine. My system was pretty well dry after the accident by the time I got to fix it. I was hoping to use the same fluid in my transmission but the dealership said it's a better bet that what's in my trans currently is ATF WS...different than ATF T-IV. I didn't know there was different types of Toyota ATF before...but as stated above by TnShooter, it's probably best not to mix them.

 

Thanks - good to know.

 

my old 1990 Toyota truck after a rebuild and replacement of all the Power steering lines and hose and a PS pump, is full of Ford Mercon V, because i have cases of it from my time with a ford.

 

Power steering systems aren't too picky. Long story short I have Pentosin CHF202 in mine. For dextron 6 vs 3. Dextron 6 is a high quality fluid but thinner than 3. If it gets really cold I would run the 6 but otherwise only thing you may notice is that the steering feels softer with the thicker fluid