What do I use in my '95 Camry as power steering fluid?

July 30, 2012 7:58 AM

My '95 Toyota Camry uses Dexron II transmission fluid as power steering fluid, but nobody sells Dexron II anymore...

So what do I use? Apparently actual power steering fluid is bad for the system. And there seem to be more Dexron products out there, but I haven't any idea if they're appropriate.

posted by Mercaptan to travel & transportation (8 answers total)

Why not call the service department at a Toyota dealer and ask them what they use now that Dexron II is no longer available.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:09 AM on July 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

Have you called a Toyota dealer? It probably will be pricier going through them, but power steering fluid isn't something you should have to buy often.
posted by Burhanistan at 8:09 AM on July 30, 2012

Dex-III is almost always backwards compatible with Dex-II.
posted by ellF at 8:11 AM on July 30, 2012

If you look on the back of the bottles at the auto parts stores, it will typically expand on the backwards compatibility.

"For use in Dex 2, Dex 3 systems", something along those lines.

The dealership can definitely suggest and/or sell you the correct fluid.

Do you have a leak? Power steering fluid won't usually get low. Some components of the power steering operate at a reasonably high pressure, and if you have a leak on the high pressure side your pump will squirt out a quart of fluid in no time whatsoever (along the lines of taking 10 corners or so).
posted by gatsby died at 8:26 AM on July 30, 2012

Ah, that's good to know.

Yes, I definitely have leaks, but at the present moment it's cheaper to refill than it is to repair according to my repair people.
posted by Mercaptan at 8:30 AM on July 30, 2012

I recently filled my 98 Camry with Dex3 about 4 months ago and its been working great so far.
posted by Carillon at 9:45 AM on July 30, 2012

Yep, I explain it as "Dex II or newer" fluid.
posted by TinWhistle at 10:12 AM on July 30, 2012

On a couple of toyota's I've worked on the power steering would leak on (and eventually break) the alternator - so I would suggest checking on that possibility.
posted by zenon at 10:16 PM on August 1, 2012 [1 favorite]