Does it make sense to change power steering fluid on 2012 ES350 with 67K miles? Dealer keeps recommending, is it BS? Manual does not say anything about it. Should I wait until 100K miles to do it?

 

Yes, it should be done about every 3 years. It's an easy fluid to do by yourself and there are many DIY guides for Camrys and other Toyotas.

 

 

Dexron 2 or 3.
Do it every 30-40000 miles. You should clean the PS bottle too.

 

dealership gave me this for my power steering, what should i use?

 

If its important, why its not mentioned in owners manual as periodic maintenance?

 

Seems very different perspective from Lexus dealer than my Acura dealer. When I asked my acura dealer if I should change PS fluid in 120K miles Acura RDX, their response was that it does not have normal service interval, and they only change it if you have issues. I agree it makes sense to change it, it gets dark over time...... Not sure why its not in manual.

 

Use it, it's fine.

 

Just use a turkey baster to remove the old fluid and replace it, at least that's what I've always done. On all my other cars I've used ATF, but for our 2012 I just used prestone Asian power steering fluid because I wanted to maintain the clear color, not sure how it differs from any other fluid though. Lexus dealer said they don't use ATF for the flush, just power steering fluid, so I assume, and i say that with caution, that either works

 

you still diluting old fluid that is stuck on the line if your use the turkey bastor your only getting the 8 to 12 inches of the turkey baster amount of fluid out b
the think about a flush is its moving all the fluid or a fluid exchange where they hook it up to a machine turn the vehicle on and run it through why the PS pump is moving that way its not power flushing to cause damage that is removing all old fluids and adding new fluids if your just diluting it with some new fluid into the old fluid that stick stuck in the the line then your ruining new good fluid

 

Considering a majority of the fluid is in the reservoir I'm not to worried about it, especially if you do it regularly, like every oil change. Of course you won't get all the fluid out the first time, but do it a few times over a span, and most of the fluid will be changed and it's a lot simpler to do.

Ive done it on both my 2001 and 2004 ESs, my 2002 GS, and on our 2012 ES and 2008 RX (especially prone to leaking power steering racks) and none, even the 2001 with 240k miles when I sold it, always had clean looking fluid and ever had any issues. In other words, it'll work, especially if you can't flush it yourself or if you don't want to pay someone to do it. Just throwing it out there.

 

I used this method on my 09 accord and it never came clean. It was pretty neglected by the previous owner though.

 

Besides the 2002 GS and 2004 ES, the other cars were had since new, and the other two were bought with low miles, so the fluid was never neglected for extended periods of time. If the fluid really is that dirty, then I could see how that could merit a flush, but in my case, at least so far, it hasn't come to that.

 

Had my PS fluid changed at the dealer, took a sample out and it looked more of light brown. I expected it to be pink as dextron is pink?

 

There are some discussions that dealer might be using dexron without dye, which is why fluid looks mostly clear. I wonder what it is, standard Toyota ATF fluid red in color.