I starred to notice a slight whine when I turn the wheel. My fluid is t low but it's pretty dark and I'm not sure if it was ever changed or when. I have 100k miles. What fluid should I use? Thanks.

 

I also just noticed a squeal when pulling into a parking spot, doesn't happen every time or often.

 

I used mobile 1 synthetic ATF when I flushed mine.

 

Thanks, it seems like a lot of people like that fluid, that's what I'll go with. Did you flush it yourself or have it done? What mileage is recommended? Did you notice any sound difference when you changed the fluid?

 

A lot of people, rather than flush, use a turkey baster or similar tool to suck out as much old fluid as they can from the reservoir, and replace with fresh. Do this a few times, and you'll have most of the old fluid replaced, and it's super easy this way.

 

thanks for the help. I had a local shop flush the system today while I was at work and had them put in the mobil 1 atf. They also put a little bit of lucas additive in there as well. Sadly, this did not quiet the noise but then again, I only drove 2 min back to my office and heard the faint sound while backing up into my parking spot. Does it need more time to work into the system? Or, is my pump going up?

 

it might not be your pump but your steering rack seals. If possible, get under and see if any ps fluid weeping by your inner tie rod boots.

 

is your serpentine belt good?
sometimes its just a little air in the system, there is a procedure to get it out/fill the system, can't remember exactly but basically you have to lift up the front wheels and rotate the wheel left to right lots of times to push the air out with the reservoir cap open, and keep topping it off as needed if the level gets low again it will suck air back into the system. putting a rag around the opening of the reservoir will help with catch most of the splashing that might occur. if the fluid in there is foamy or mixing violently there is probably some air, if its all swirling smoothly and their is no trapped air then it could be a pump issue, or a small leak somewhere letting in air.

 

this method takes about 15 minutes. I do it myself.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...ing-flush.html

 

Also start it up and turn wheel all way to right and hold 3 seconds and then all way left and hold 3 seconds. Repeat again. This will get air out of the system

 

the belt was changed by lexus 1k miles ago, so that should be good. I don't think anything is leaking, my level was always rock solid. But, I did notice some bubbles in there when they changed the fluid. They said they turned the steering wheel several times, I can do it more myself but should I remove the cap/lid while I do that? Oh, wait, I reread what you said about the rag and filling and topping off.