Power Steering Fluid change
 

Hey guys Im about to change the power steering fluid in my 2000 ES300 and wanted to know if I have to use Toyota Type 4 or can use Mobile 1 ATF synthetic fluid???

wow good for you. most aren't so wise.

the fluid these cars use is dexron mercon. no need to fret between brands or version. look for any brand [with a certification, i should not leave that out i suppose] that says dexron/mercon 3. also, ATF is just fine, but ATF +4 is special version for chrysler's tranny and some chryslers' powersteering system [dont ask me what hell ive gone through with those tranny].

so, to say it again, because the average person always has the biggest mind faq over this issue, the spec of the power steering system's hydraulic fluid is:

dexron/mercon [all the numbers V, IV, III]
ATF
ATF III

which is just about every single thing on a shelf at a store--- but dont use:
ATF+4
gear lube
motor oil
honda power steering fluid
bottles that just say ''steering fluid''
stop leak

you can also use toyota type 4 , obviously. and mobile 1 atf synthetic [good stuff, but not worth the cost].

any questions?

I went ahead and used Mobile 1 ATF and did the syphon procedure and it took about 2 quarts to make the fluid nice and cherry red :D

syphon procedure?

I only know two ways:1 fractional dillution and 2 taking hoses off

fractional dillution is engine off suck everything out of reservoir, fill it up with fresh, repeat this procedure every 6 mos / 6K miles and you end up effectively replacing all of old fluid which keeps it completely fresh.

taking hoses off means the pump sucks in only fresh in one hose, and all the old comes out the other [much harder to do this way]

either way, you're certainly on the right path for even caring about your power steering system's fluid. was there something wrong with the old fluid / your steering? it was losing it's bright red, it seems, but was it still at least somewhat red ? Just curious, because if it was still red, nothing was in danger, which means you still are doing the right thing.

Yeah I did the second procedure sucked the fluid out and put new fluid in and used 2 quarts to make sure all the fluid was cherry red and the old fluid was a little red but you could tell it needed to be changed compared to the new fluid.