hoonami

I know it's probably normal for my ES's age and all but lately I've noticed that my steering wheel is hard as rock when it's cold outside. There were couple days where it was below 0 and my steering felt like it didn't have power steering(drove like early 1990s car w/o power steering) so i gotta drive it for quite a bit to warm up and steer normal. i've done drain/refilled power steering fluid about 10k miles ago and my car is 02 with 113k miles. is this normal??

JSM1284

What kind of fluid did you put back in it?

hoonami

coastal brand dextron atf

JSM1284

Try doing another Flush service and use a Synthetic Dexron III fluid. I just did mine last weekend.

hoonami

thanks JSM1284
is powersteering flush DIYable? which brand synthetic did you use? if it's DIYable...
do you have write up?
oh and which oil filter do you use on your lexus? and which oil??
i am on mobil1+mobil1 filter every 7500miles but want to switch to valvoline synpower + genuine toyota filter every 5000miles

BDSL

Perhaps you have air in the line.

Try this:

While travelling at low speed, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, then all the way to the right, then left, then right, etc.

Check power steering fluid level

Or your power steering pump needs to be replaced.

steviej

iTrader: (1)

Nothing works well in the extreme cold!

Does the stiffness problem go away once the engine bay warms up?
If so, then I would say it is solely temperature related. The suggested switch to the synthetic fluid may help as the synthetic fluid will flow better at lower temperatures.

If it does not, then start looking at air in the lines, etc.

I remember my 02 in the extreme cold, the belts got stiff (belt runs the PS pump) and would squeal a little, steering was stiff. But as soon as it started to warm up in the engine bay, the fluid, belts, steering unit warmed up and all was smooth again.

steviej

ALarsh

I would have to say thats not normal. My car (97) sits outside in WI weather most of the time. I park it Sunday night and don't drive again until Friday afternoon (parked outside). After sitting in the cold for all that time the power steering is just like normal when I start driving Friday.

I'd look into it.

hoonami

well... before i take it in to mechanic, i am gonna drain out old fluid and put new synthetic fluids to see if it helps. anyone know which brand synthetic powersteering fluid or proper atf synthetic available? i see amsoil synthetic power steering fluid but i can't find it local, so i am thinking about mobil1 synthetic atf but it doesn't say dexron ii/iii on the label.... can i still use it?? here is a link... let me know what you guys think!!

https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English...hetic_ATF.aspx

thanks,
Tae

BDSL

My 97 ES300 takes Dexron III. In Ontario, Canada, the temperature hits 0 degF. The steering is slightly heavier at the beginning but becomes smoother after a few minutes.

My steering doesn't feel like there is no power steering at all.

I suggest you check belt, PS pump, and other.

MyfirstES

It's true, nothing works very well in very cold temperatures. My 01' really needs to warm up before it runs optimal. The car does not like to run or perform well until it heats up. I usually let the car warm up for at least 5 minutes so that the overdrive will at least engage and some heat will come out of the vents (and the heated seats warm up).

My acceleration is very sluggish in the cold temperatures until the engine warms up as well.