Does the LS 430...of for that mater, the SC 430 require special fluid for the power steering? I generally use any ATF for the job on my other cars.

 

Dexron III compatible ATF

 

Nope. Nothing special required here. Toyota's typically use the Dexron type of ATF for the power steering fluid so the good old Valvoline Maxlife works very well in these.

 

I got the Maxlife. Says Dextron IV so I guess that covers Dextron III
thanks

 

Still not sure about this topic as I always think power steering fluid is clear. Toyota ATF is red. I know most will say color does not matter. It still feel odd to me

 

I have never seen power steering fluid that was clear, but then I have used ATF in all my PS ever since the early 1960s when PS first appeared.....LOL

 

Power steering fluid is often clear, but Lexus of this era does not use power steering fluid it uses Dexron II/III automatic transmission fluid.

 

For what it's worth, Honda Power Steering Fluid is clear, which isn't an ATF based derivative.

My old 75' Cadillac and my 12' Xterra both specify a specific P/S fluid From GM and Nissan, but they also stated that a Dexron ATF works just as well, so that's what I put into them

The old GM p/S fluid from the 1970s has probably been out of production for decades at this point anyway!

 

Dexron II or III was specified originally. Dexron VI is backward compatible with Dexron II/III. The "one-size-fits-all" ATF's that meet Dexron VI specs will work.

Keep in mind that Dexron II/III is not forward compatible with anything that specifies Dexron VI.

 

Dex VI is claimed to be backwards compatible but in reality VI is a fair bit thinner for that reason I don't use it in power steering systems.

 

Been using Valvoline Synthetic ATF fluid in all my Toyotas for years....

 

Dex VI is more shear stable than Dex III. You might start out thicker with Dex III, but it'll eventually shear to Dex VI viscosity (or lower). I doubt it really matters in a PS application.

 

Is there a Dextron VI or is that a typo and you meant IV?. I did not see any reference to Dextron VI in the auto parts store.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEXRON

 

Stop telling people to use Dex VI in place of II/III it doesn't work properly. Don't care about any specs in real world use it's not suitable, I've tried.