power steering fluid for my 2017 Toyota Tacoma

C

crestone

Member
Hello everyone...you have always been so helpful so here goes. I have a 2017 Tacoma TRD 4x4 Off Road. I want to top off my power steering fluid. Here is the issue:

When I purchased the vehicle, the color of the fluid is a clear amber color. Then I looked at my owners manual and it says to use ATF Dexron II or Dexron III. Well, the color of Dexron is RED. So there is a discrepancy in color between the fluid listed in the manual and the fluid in my Tacoma when I purchased it.

I certainly want to use the correct fluid. I hesitate to add a red fluid to my clear amber fluid. I called Toyota.com and they told me that they are not sure why there is a discrepancy and to email them about the issue...thanks alot but no thanks.

I really do not know what type of power steering fluid is in my Tacoma. Has anyone else had this issue? If so what did you find out? What is the solution to this issue/problem. What fluid can I use? I do not want to cause any damage and want to use the same color of fluid.

Any assistance and your knowledge would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Zenny
 
crestone said:
Hello everyone...you have always been so helpful so here goes. I have a 2017 Tacoma TRD 4x4 Off Road. I want to top off my power steering fluid. Here is the issue:

When I purchased the vehicle, the color of the fluid is a clear amber color. Then I looked at my owners manual and it says to use ATF Dexron II or Dexron III. Well, the color of Dexron is RED. So there is a discrepancy in color between the fluid listed in the manual and the fluid in my Tacoma when I purchased it.

I certainly want to use the correct fluid. I hesitate to add a red fluid to my clear amber fluid. I called Toyota.com and they told me that they are not sure why there is a discrepancy and to email them about the issue...thanks alot but no thanks.

I really do not know what type of power steering fluid is in my Tacoma. Has anyone else had this issue? If so what did you find out? What is the solution to this issue/problem. What fluid can I use? I do not want to cause any damage and want to use the same color of fluid.

Any assistance and your knowledge would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Zenny
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I would ck with the dealer , they will have the correct """color " of fluid. I know that sounds weird, I was a Toyota tech for over 20 yrs.
 
To further confuse things, the only difference between Dexron and type F fluid is that type F fluid will take much more heat before it breaks down. God, do they even make type F fluid these days?
 
Joisey said:
To further confuse things, the only difference between Dexron and type F fluid is that type F fluid will take much more heat before it breaks down. God, do they even make type F fluid these days?
Click to expand...
I agree it is just die,
 
Hello Jim and Joisey and thanks for your responses. If I may ask:
Joisey--Was the color of the power steering fluid in your 2018 an amber color or the red Dexron II or III color? If it was the amber color, are you sure the fluid was Dexron II or III without the dye? Or did you just add the red Dexron II or III to the fluid if in fact it was amber in color?

Jim: I did contact the dealership and they told me to purchase the power steering fluid they use to top off at a local NAPA parts house which turned out to be regular power steering fluid, which is amber in color but is not Dexron II or III which is recommended in my owners manual and is red in color. I also heard a parts person state that he would not recommend mixing Red Dexron with the amber color fluid in my reservoir when I purchased the Tacoma.

Thanks again and I await any further responses to clarify the issue.

Crestone
 
crestone said:
Hello Jim and Joisey and thanks for your responses. If I may ask:
Joisey--Was the color of the power steering fluid in your 2018 an amber color or the red Dexron II or III color? If it was the amber color, are you sure the fluid was Dexron II or III without the dye? Or did you just add the red Dexron II or III to the fluid if in fact it was amber in color?

Jim: I did contact the dealership and they told me to purchase the power steering fluid they use to top off at a local NAPA parts house which turned out to be regular power steering fluid, which is amber in color but is not Dexron II or III which is recommended in my owners manual and is red in color. I also heard a parts person state that he would not recommend mixing Red Dexron with the amber color fluid in my reservoir when I purchased the Tacoma.

Thanks again and I await any further responses to clarify the issue.

Crestone
Click to expand...

You'll think I'm messing with you, but the color of my PS fluid on my '18 is blue. Really. Dexron has to meet temperature specs and friction specs to work in a transmission. An automatic transmission is basically a hydraulic pump that pressurizes clutch packs and makes the vehicle move. Basic fact that you can't compress a fluid.

The blue fluid in my truck was the same consistancy as ATF, smelled the same and felt the same. Whether you call it ATF or hydraulic fluid, it's the same thing. You can buy PS fluid at 10x the price and use that if you want, but all it is IN MOST CASES is ATF with no color. Some vehicles (Honda, MB and late model GMC) recommend certain spec fluids other than ATF.
 
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