I just had my power steering pump replaced recently ('99 GS400) and my mechanic used regular power steering fluid as oppose to Dextron II or III recommended by Lexus.
My question is - will this cause any harm to the pump (mechanic says No)?

Thanks a lot.

 

I would stick with Dexron II or III just to be on the safe side. There is a reason for that recommendation. That's like putting in Dexron in our transmission just because the mechanic said its okay, when toyota recommends Type T-IV.

Will it hurt? I dont know since I dont know anyone who has put regular PS fluid in their PS resevior. I dont see why the mechanic used regular fluid when Dexron fluid is about the same price. He couldn't grab some ATF off the shelf?

 

power steering fluid is just hydraulic fluid with a high detergent content...

comparing between dexIII and TIV in our transmissions is different... dexIII causes our transmissions to fail, whereas TIV is the proper, correct fluid...

this being said, dexIII or power steering fluid will work...

 

I've been using Mobil 1 ATF in the PSF for some time, better than the Valvoline Synpower I was using.