# Shopping for power steering fluid: Dexron, Asian, American...? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** toyota, pickup\ **Created:** [February 5, 2020, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952 "2020-02-05T19:04:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/1 "2020-02-05T19:04:27Z")
I window-shopped for PS fluid at the Mart of Wal. The _Super Tech_ said it was good for topping off but not a complete refill. The more-expensive _Prestone_ came in 2 flavors: 1 for Asian cars, 1 for American cars. The legend on the sticker of my PS’s reservoir reads, ‘Use Dexron type power steering fluid only’. None of the choices (there was also _Lucas_) used the word _Dexron_. I suspect any of them would do the job, but I 'd like to know what distinguishes Dexron from other types, Asian from American (probably nothing), and why it wouldn’t be good to refill with _Super Tech_ (because it has stop-leak additives?) Mine is currently at the low point and I may have had a leak - I haven’t added any in 20 years, so it can’t be too leaky - and would like to have some around in case I need it. I may replace the hose, too. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/2 "2020-02-05T19:14:19Z")
If I were you, I’d just buy it from a dealership or auto parts store that has the right product. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 7:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/3 "2020-02-05T19:15:03Z")
Many older power steering systems used ATF, which is what Dexron is. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 7:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/4 "2020-02-05T19:37:10Z")
Way back when your truck was made, there were pretty much only 2 kinds of automatic transmission fluids in use, Type F and Dexron. Toyota built your power steering system to use Dexron transmission fluid. So I would use any transmission fluid rated for Dexron use. BTW, Dexron has been superseded by Dexron II and Dexron IV. ---
**Author:** ![Bugmenot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@Bugmenot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bugmenot)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/5 "2020-02-05T20:17:01Z")
When Dexron VI came out in 2006, it superseded all previous Dexrons for use in almost all GM automatic transmissions (per TSB 04-07-30-037D, Nov. 21, 2007). However, the backwards compatibility did not apply to power steering systems, or anything else besides auto transmissions that used ATF as a lubricant. GM required their part #9985010 be used as PS fluid (look for bottles that say they are compatible with that #). I assume this would also apply to the Toyota steering. A few years ago I used the Prestone AS261 in the PS of an '03 GM vehicle after a hose replacement and it has been working fine. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/6 "2020-02-05T21:31:19Z")
When I shopped for power steering fluid for my Nissan, the dealer gave me power steering fluid, and told me that’s all they use themselves in their shops. In any case, buy what the dealer uses. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/7 "2020-02-05T21:43:07Z")
> [@old\_mopar\_guy](#): > > Many older power steering systems used ATF, which is what Dexron is. Yup. Then in the 80’s some manufacturers started specific their own formula. Honda was one of the early entries. At least the Honda fluid was cheap. But before the 80’s every power steering system on every vehicle I owned used ATF. ATF is a type of hydraulic fluid. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/8 "2020-02-05T22:48:40Z")
I have the same question about a 1990 F-150? Every thin else I owned used dexron. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 11:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/9 "2020-02-05T23:18:46Z")
> [@old\_mopar\_guy](#): > > Many older power steering systems used ATF, which is what Dexron is. +1 However, a whole lot of people will not know what we are talking about unless we slaughter the Dexron trademark into “Dextron”. ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 1:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/10 "2020-02-06T01:46:47Z")
> [@Whitey](#): > > I’d just buy it from a dealership or auto parts store that has the right product. That’s a long trip. Besides, I was interested in the questions I asked. > [@old\_mopar\_guy](#): > > Many older power steering systems used ATF, which is what Dexron is. It’s not PS fluid? > [@asemaster](#): > > I would use any transmission fluid rated for Dexron use. Not PS fluid? None of the PS fluids mentioned Dexron - that’s because Dexron is an ATF? What’s the difference between American and Asian? Why can I top off with _Super Tech_ but not replace with it? ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/11 "2020-02-06T02:20:57Z")
Because it uses ATF. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 2:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/12 "2020-02-06T02:28:11Z")
My Ford truck’s manual says to use a special Ford part number for the power steering pump fluid, different than what is spec’d for the automatic trans, but I’ve always used plain old Type F transmission fluid for both and never experienced any problems. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/13 "2020-02-06T16:06:31Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > Not PS fluid? > > None of the PS fluids mentioned Dexron - that’s because Dexron is an ATF? If the reservoir states Dexron, then the system was designed to use Dexron, which is ATF. So I would use whatever fluid you can get that states meets the old Dexron standard. Or use power steering fluid. I think you’re overthinking this. ---
**Author:** ![thegreendrag0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thegreendrag0n/32/9265_2.png) [@thegreendrag0n](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thegreendrag0n)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/14 "2020-02-06T16:52:45Z")
Any of the newer “universal fluids” will list Dexron and 30+ other specs in the compatibility list on the back label. Power steering will be happy with it. ---
**Author:** ![Honda-Blackbird](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/honda-blackbird/32/3159_2.png) [@Honda-Blackbird](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Honda-Blackbird)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 5:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/15 "2020-02-06T17:04:12Z")
Good questions all… Methinks the vagaries have been induced by mfg’s trying to make a non special item…“more special” and in the process make more money lol, dont think they are above this thinking. Probably never know the difference between these fluids beyond viscosity (even that is withheld) surely chemically they aren’t revealing any time soon. I do know or have heard that Ford Type F is a bit heavier than Dextron, but the mouthfeel is the same so I’m not sure anymore and honestly I don’t look forward to more “scientifical testing”. Just go with good ole Dextron…its easy to find…its ATF…it works…and you’re done. ---
**Author:** ![eddo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/eddo/32/2594_2.png) [@eddo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eddo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/16 "2020-02-06T17:18:10Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > My Ford truck’s manual says to use a special Ford part number for the power steering pump fluid, different than what is spec’d for the automatic trans, I used to have a ton of Ford’s in my fleet, and the p/s pumps would whine if we used Dexron in them. We had use use actual P/S fluid in them to stop the whining. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/17 "2020-02-06T18:39:32Z")
Dexron and type F have the same viscosity, but type F used more Friction Modifiers. ---
**Author:** ![Honda-Blackbird](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/honda-blackbird/32/3159_2.png) [@Honda-Blackbird](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Honda-Blackbird)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 7:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/18 "2020-02-06T19:41:20Z")
Well sure fooled me @old_mopar_guy. Like I said, the “mouth feel” between the two seemed exactly the same and it may have been my imagination but I thought the Dextron had a slight Wintergreen Marvel Mystery Oil-esque flavor to it. I am not interested in further testing however, as I feel as though I may have damaged something in the first go round. Apologies: Humor is a coping mechanism for me… and if I have to cope with any more of the crap that I’ve been coping with…things are gonna get “funny” round here. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/19 "2020-02-06T19:44:47Z")
Why something like power steering fluid needs to have various options is beyond me, kind of like engine coolant. You’d think a spec could be set and followed, with backwards-compatible improvements over the years… ---
**Author:** ![Honda-Blackbird](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/honda-blackbird/32/3159_2.png) [@Honda-Blackbird](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Honda-Blackbird)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952/20 "2020-02-06T19:49:30Z")
Agreed ! Its a hydraulic fluid… basic stuff here. But why miss out on a marketing opportunity of Epic proportions? If you calculate what a can of special “PS fluid” costs per 8-16oz container, man that stuff is pretty expensive per gallon. An opportunity I do not believe others have missed out on. I mean I’m a moron and I could come up with it. Just put a “special” label on the same old light viscosity oil w the correct lubricity etc… and you could make a fortune. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shopping-for-power-steering-fluid-dexron-asian-american/157952.md?page=2)