Steering Issues w/ Avalon

[ecarlson]

My 97 Avalon had a power steering unit leak a couple years ago, which was worse in the winter, taking a quart or two a month on the coldest months. I already had an estimate from a local, trusted shop to replace the power stearing unit for around $650.

On a whim I decided to try "Valvoline Max Life high-mileage Dexron III Mercon ATF" in it, so I bought 2 quarts, and in 2 years, I still haven't used up the second quart in my power steering unit (even through winter).

I was expecting it to take a while to start working, if it worked at all, but when I first got it, I put in about a cup or two, just to top it off, and it was a lot longer than I had been used to before I had to add any more, and now that I've put in almost 2 quarts, I almost never have to add any.

I never had any stearing problems, though it did moan when the fluid got low.

If the leak ever does get bad again, I'll get the stearing unit replaced.