Question Power steering oil

[LIMITED]

The question is. The power steering on my 07 tacoma says to use trans. fluid, but it came from Toyota with powering steering fluid. And yes i bought it new. I have been working on heave truck over 30 years so i know the deference. Have any of you seen this?

[Bakemono]

To best of my knowledge, every vehicle nowdays uses ATF instead of power steering fluid.

[LIMITED]

Originally Posted by Bakemono

To best of my knowledge, every vehicle nowdays uses ATF instead of power steering fluid.

ATF is red this is not, same as power steering fluid, I will just flush it and put ATF in it. If it is ATF it has no color to it.

[L R H]

Both are ~10wt hydraulic oil, both most likely have some amount of anti-foam additive and seal conditioner. ATF has friction modifiers not needed in a P/S system, but they hurt nothing, ATF has red dye as an identifier. Ford, GM and Chrysler have for years called for P/S fluid some years and ATF some years with the same boxes/racks/pumps. Lots of older Fords have GM Saginaw steering boxes, a few have used GM pumps; with many mixing and matching either of the GM or Ford components. Chrysler has used a lot of GM pumps with I believe gearboxes of there own build, or maybe TRW. Out of all the vehicles above; for the past 30 years or so the manufacturers have called for either P/S fluid only, ATF only, or either is OK, sometimes changing what they call for from one year to the next. What it boils down to is P/S fluid is not that demanding a requirement.

I ordered a new 1986 Ford F-150, this was before the name Mercon® was in use, but Ford had began using the GM spec fluid in some trans vs the type-F, my owners manual stated to use Dexron®* ATF in the P/S, if not available, use genuine Ford P/S fluid. The asterik next to the Dexron was for a footnote at the bottom of the page that stated "Dexron is a registered trademark of General Motors Corporation". I bet Ford hated printing thatin the owners manual. Dexron III and Mercon are identical specs, as long as there are NO suffixes following the word Mercon.

[L R H]

Originally Posted by Bakemono

To best of my knowledge, every vehicle nowdays uses ATF instead of power steering fluid.

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I have found it the opposite; if manufacturer does not state either is OK, then it is more common for them to call for P/S fluid, but with no common specs, but a 10-12 digit/numeral spec that scares the owner into going to the dealer to get the "special" fluid. When the parts guy/gal find out they have none in stock, the instead give you a $17.49 bottle of ATF stating that this will work just as well.

[LIMITED]

Originally Posted by L R H

Both are ~10wt hydraulic oil, both most likely have some amount of anti-foam additive and seal conditioner. ATF has friction modifiers not needed in a P/S system, but they hurt nothing, ATF has red dye as an identifier. Ford, GM and Chrysler have for years called for P/S fluid some years and ATF some years with the same boxes/racks/pumps. Lots of older Fords have GM Saginaw steering boxes, a few have used GM pumps; with many mixing and matching either of the GM or Ford components. Chrysler has used a lot of GM pumps with I believe gearboxes of there own build, or maybe TRW. Out of all the vehicles above; for the past 30 years or so the manufacturers have called for either P/S fluid only, ATF only, or either is OK, sometimes changing what they call for from one year to the next. What it boils down to is P/S fluid is not that demanding a requirement.

I ordered a new 1986 Ford F-150, this was before the name Mercon® was in use, but Ford had began using the GM spec fluid in some trans vs the type-F, my owners manual stated to use Dexron®* ATF in the P/S, if not available, use genuine Ford P/S fluid. The asterik next to the Dexron was for a footnote at the bottom of the page that stated "Dexron is a registered trademark of General Motors Corporation". I bet Ford hated printing thatin the owners manual. Dexron III and Mercon are identical specs, as long as there are NO suffixes following the word Mercon.

Thank you for the reply, i was not upset about it. Just so many things or said to be one way but when you get to it it is some other way. You should try to work on these new EPA BIRD loveing over the road truck engs., it makes me won't to retire. Any way thank you for the reply.

[L R H]

Originally Posted by LIMITED

Thank you for the reply, i was not upset about it. Just so many things or said to be one way but when you get to it it is some other way. You should try to work on these new EPA BIRD loveing over the road truck engs., it makes me won't to retire. Any way thank you for the reply.

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You need to retire now and take it easy, or you are going to have to learn more in the next 2 years than you had to learn in the past 30. (when I read what I just posted , it almost reads like a mild insult towards you; it is not intended to be in any way) Some of these diesel regulations border on rediculous, and to have to read, study things that actually seem to be counterproductive, well it to woud not seem to give someone that urge to learn.

[LIMITED]

Originally Posted by L R H

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You need to retire now and take it easy, or you are going to have to learn more in the next 2 years than you had to learn in the past 30. (when I read what I just posted , it almost reads like a mild insult towards you; it is not intended to be in any way) Some of these diesel regulations border on rediculous, and to have to read, study things that actually seem to be counterproductive, well it to woud not seem to give someone that urge to learn.

Hay man it is all good. It has got to the point that i don't have the will to work on them like i did when i was younger. The EPA has cost the trucking industry millions or billions in up keep and fuel but they don't give a d$$$m and you are right you will soon have to be a rocket scientist to work on them. I love to work on engs but that mindframe is not as easy to keep as it used to be..... LIMITED