2003 IS300 Power Steering fluid is yellow!
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Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: rogersville, tn
2003 IS300 Power Steering fluid is yellow!
I just picked up an IS sportcross with 70k on the odometer. I am going through and changing fluids that were never done at the dealer. The previous owner had every single 5k maintenance done at a dealer but the PS is yellow and the Tranny fluid is brown/red so that needs to get swapped.
My question is why the heck is my PS fluid yellow, it looks like a yellow mineral oil. Is it safe to swap it out with ATF at this point? The steering is fine on the car but I was a little worried someone put off the shelf power steering fluid in the car at some point instead of having it replaced with dex3 ATF.
How should I proceed?
My question is why the heck is my PS fluid yellow, it looks like a yellow mineral oil. Is it safe to swap it out with ATF at this point? The steering is fine on the car but I was a little worried someone put off the shelf power steering fluid in the car at some point instead of having it replaced with dex3 ATF.
How should I proceed?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 159
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From: rogersville, tn
So you don't run the Toyota Type 4 in your Tranny? If its not not necessary I can totally swap out my tranny fluid tomorrow, of course I would need to run something close/compatible that I can buy at autozone etc...
I bought this amazing hand pump, 3200 psi and it sucks up about a quart in less than 1 second. It was the same price as the generic hand pump at pep boys.
I swapped in almost a quart of dex3 so far for power steering. Its already looking more red than yellow now.
On a different note I did find that my IS has an LSD rear.
I bought this amazing hand pump, 3200 psi and it sucks up about a quart in less than 1 second. It was the same price as the generic hand pump at pep boys.
I swapped in almost a quart of dex3 so far for power steering. Its already looking more red than yellow now.
On a different note I did find that my IS has an LSD rear.
Driver
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: ct
So you don't run the Toyota Type 4 in your Tranny? If its not not necessary I can totally swap out my tranny fluid tomorrow, of course I would need to run something close/compatible that I can buy at autozone etc...
I bought this amazing hand pump, 3200 psi and it sucks up about a quart in less than 1 second. It was the same price as the generic hand pump at pep boys.
I swapped in almost a quart of dex3 so far for power steering. Its already looking more red than yellow now.
On a different note I did find that my IS has an LSD rear.
I bought this amazing hand pump, 3200 psi and it sucks up about a quart in less than 1 second. It was the same price as the generic hand pump at pep boys.
I swapped in almost a quart of dex3 so far for power steering. Its already looking more red than yellow now.
On a different note I did find that my IS has an LSD rear.
I do not know if anything on autozone, pep boys etc is as good. You would have to read the label.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 31
From: CA
Take a look and try MaxLife ATF for your tranny if you want to pick something up from the store. It should be relatively inexpensive compared to other products.
It will list Toyota T-IV on the back.
Be sure whatever you do get has T-IV on the label if that's what your car calls for. Many oils now have that spec on their label (as compared to years ago).
The factory fill powersteering fluid could be clear-I would be more worried if it was brown/burnt...
It will list Toyota T-IV on the back.
Be sure whatever you do get has T-IV on the label if that's what your car calls for. Many oils now have that spec on their label (as compared to years ago).
The factory fill powersteering fluid could be clear-I would be more worried if it was brown/burnt...
Last edited by raytseng; Mar 1, 2011 at 04:41 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Nevada
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...smissions.aspx
Mobil says:
"Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF and Mobil Multi-Vehicle ATF are suitable for use in Toyota applications where Toyota T-IV type product is recommended. However, the Toyota/Lexus ATF is specifically designed for those vehicles and will provide optimum performance."
Driver
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: ct
Mobil actually admits Toyota T4 is better than its own Mobil 1 synthetic ATF.
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...smissions.aspx
Mobil says:
"Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF and Mobil Multi-Vehicle ATF are suitable for use in Toyota applications where Toyota T-IV type product is recommended. However, the Toyota/Lexus ATF is specifically designed for those vehicles and will provide optimum performance."
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...smissions.aspx
Mobil says:
"Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF and Mobil Multi-Vehicle ATF are suitable for use in Toyota applications where Toyota T-IV type product is recommended. However, the Toyota/Lexus ATF is specifically designed for those vehicles and will provide optimum performance."
OKay, have you called Mobil CS? They suck and are rude. Sorry T4 is poor and I change it out in my 06. You want pix since it was black after 50K with a lifetime fill (per the dipstick). I put in Amsoil and was cheaper and WAY smoother...Just saying...YMMV
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