Let's Settle This...Power Steering Fluid or ATF for Power Steering

Howdy,


So here we go and this might seem like a dumb question but there seems to be some conflicting advice on this. Power steering fluid or automatic transmission fluid when changing out the power steering fluid?

The Car Care Nut on YouTube says to use power steering fluid and not the ATF. He acknowledges that yes the owners manual states to use the transmission fluid and that the power steering fluid is designed more for the power steering system.

 

Tacoma's use ATF DEXRON II/III

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-maintenance-maps-get-300k-miles.789809/

this is thread is helpful and has all maintenance in one spot.

 

Ya it’s no argument it’s atf without dye from factory and manual says atf,

 

Nothing to settle.


My recommendation is the Mazda fluid. Same spec requirements as noted in the Taco Owners Manual, but it seems to condition the seals. Stopped weeping on my Taco.

$18 Genuine Mazda 0000-77-112E-01 Transmission Fluid

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Mazda-0000-77-112E-01-Transmission-Fluid/dp/B00GKGCP5G​

I already had some on the shelf for the PS in the Madza 3 that we had. Pleasantly surprised with the results.

 

All right cool, yeah I would have probably just gone with the ATF since that's what the manual says. I probably would have gotten this question wrong on a multiple choice test though...I'd of picked A lol

"Which fluid to use for the power steering?"
A. Power steering fluid
B. Transmission fluid
C. Motor oil
D. You don't change it, it's lifetime

 

Always follow the manual. Different fluids have been used for different purposes over the years. ATF is certainly the thing you want in the trans, but motor oil, diff lube, and ATF have been used in other applications depending on what the automaker designed the system for.

 

Thanks for this. My started weeping about 2 weeks ago around 77k miles. Granted all the mileage has been put on in a year but it’s been a hard year for my truck. I’ll see if I can’t find some down here or have some shipped. Appreciate the tip.

 

Thank you for the info. What do you not like about him?

 

You're welcome!

I'm sure there are other ones that might do the same, but I have have not used any since I did it. Probably had about 40k on the Taco at the time.

I've tossed some in other folks' Tacos. Never heard a bad word. Haha!

 

Oops! My bad. I thought that was Scotty Kilmer's channel. Glad I checked and will edit the post.


But based on what you noted, I would question the advice.

 

I believe the car care nut has a lot of solid info and experience. I run atf when i flush ps system. I also believe you could run either w/o issues.

 

I enjoy some of his videos and he seems experienced but occasionally stays out of his lane and speaks in absolutes. Just watched a video where he replaces shocks on a GX and mentions repeatedly that they're $800 a piece and he only recommends OEM. Meanwhile I'm thinking about what kind of parts I could get for $3200.

 

It's not a debate, ATF.

 

Stop by dealer and buy Toyota at&power steering fluid bottle. I paid $14

 

The screen shot below is taken from the 3rd Gen factory service manual.

 

I can imagine that it would be hard to have a monetized channel and not push out spam for hits. Like every vid noting Like and Subscribe, as if that needs to really be said.


But like I noted above, I as actually thinking of Scotty Kilmer and edited my first post.

 

I'll ruffle a few feathers.

Atf is cheap and abundant. You're probably going to do yourself a disservice buy switching to something else.

However i've been using Pentosin Chf 202

$35 Pentosin CHF202 Power Steering Fluid (1.06 qt)

https://www.amazon.ca/Pentosin-CHF202-Power-Steering-Fluid/dp/B0033R9QA2 for almost 150'000kms with no issues. Reason for using Pentosin on my part is from having almost 20 litres of it from my time at GM when they switched from
power steering fluid>cold climate power steering fluid>Atf> Pentosin without any extra work beyond simply repairing your leak and flushing the system.

When I run out i'm just gonna go back to atf because it's cheap and abundant, where as locally pentosin is 66$ per litre.

Only performance difference I notice is my steering is slightly stiffer in the summer from the thinner fluid compared to atf

 

Be thankful for him doing that. He only recommends stuff that he has used and has installed.

Not like some of these overlanding YouTubers that talk about how this shock is better than that shock and this shock sucks compared to that shock. Then another YouTuber does a blind comparison and blows everyone’s thinking on shocks out of the water.

Id rather have harsh honesty than bullshit.

 

I use SWEPCO 715 or AC DELCO 19329948.

 

1960-70 Mopars if you put ATF in power steering pump ALL seals would soon be leaking. I did will never do it again on anything ever