# Power Steering Fluid, owner's manual calls for Dexron II or III, what else is acceptable? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** corolla, toyota\ **Created:** [December 12, 2010, 7:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-fluid-owners-manual-calls-for-dexron-ii-or-iii-what-else-is-acceptable/58598 "2010-12-12T07:24:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mareakin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@mareakin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mareakin)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2010, 7:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-fluid-owners-manual-calls-for-dexron-ii-or-iii-what-else-is-acceptable/58598/1 "2010-12-12T07:24:01Z")
Car: 2007 Toyota Corolla. The power steering fluid is a little low. I’m going to do more than just fill it up–I’m going to use a turkey baster and suck up what’s in the reservoir and then replace nearly the entire content of the reservoir with a fresh power steering fluid. I intend now to do this procedure every oil change as this will keep the fluid replenished to some extent. I also believe that this only replaces about 1/5 of the power steering fluid in the system. Well, 1/5 every oil change seems all right since the owner’s manual doesn’t actually call for a replacement interval anyway. Here’s the question: Dexron II is impossible to find, III is rare. What else is acceptable? Is Toyota Type-IV ATF fluid also acceptable? It’s what I use in the automatic transmission. Is Dexron VI good too? I don’t want to mess up and use the wrong fluid. ---
**Author:** ![Xebadaih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d07c76/32.png) [@Xebadaih](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Xebadaih)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2010, 9:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-fluid-owners-manual-calls-for-dexron-ii-or-iii-what-else-is-acceptable/58598/2 "2010-12-12T09:06:59Z")
Use Dexron III, it is the most common ATF on the market and can be purchased everywhere. Nothing else is acceptable. Many bottles will say Dexron/Mercon compatible on them, that’s the one. ---
**Author:** ![dhollist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@dhollist](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dhollist)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2010, 9:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-fluid-owners-manual-calls-for-dexron-ii-or-iii-what-else-is-acceptable/58598/3 "2010-12-12T09:07:07Z")
Doing what you propose certainly won’t hurt anything, but it seems excessive to do it every oil change, even if it’s only 1/5 of the total system volume. Generally, keeping the power steering system topped up is entirely adequate. The Toyota dealer should be able to supply the Dexron-compatible fluid that they use in their service department. If you’d rather buy it yourself, any premium brand that is Dexron compatible will be fine. For example: > **[Castrol 1 qt. domestic multi-vehicle automatic transmission fluid 06820 - Read...](https://www.autozone.com/motor-oil-and-transmission-fluid/transmission-fluid/castrol-1-qt-domestic-multi-vehicle-automatic-transmission-fluid/232570?_requestid=3471882)** > > Shop for Castrol 1 qt. domestic multi-vehicle automatic transmission fluid 06820 with confidence at AutoZone.com. Parts are just part of what we do. Get yours online today and pick up in store. ---
**Author:** ![mareakin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@mareakin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mareakin)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2010, 11:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-fluid-owners-manual-calls-for-dexron-ii-or-iii-what-else-is-acceptable/58598/4 "2010-12-12T11:42:56Z")
Thank you both, I will follow your recommendation. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2010, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-fluid-owners-manual-calls-for-dexron-ii-or-iii-what-else-is-acceptable/58598/5 "2010-12-12T15:42:28Z")
I’ve been draining and refilling the PS reservoir on my 2006 Matrix once a year (every other oil change) for the past 3 years. I’m using Dexron VI as I couldn’t find Dexron III. The first time I did it it was pretty dark with chunks of debris. Each time I do it the fluid looks a little better.