Replacing the power steering fluid in your 2000 Lexus RX300 is pretty simple once you know how. All you have to do is drain the old fluid from the reservoir and then add some fresh Dexron III ATF fluid. In the RX300, the reservoir will be under the hood, all the way to the far right side.
Power steering fluid is a crucial component in your Lexus’s handling. It creates a hydraulic link between your steering wheel and front wheels, making the steering wheel easier to turn. Without the fluid, it would be challenging to control your car.
Luckily, the power steering fluid lasts a long time—it only needs to be replaced every three years. However, you’ll notice your steering wheel stiffening up and possibly a loud screeching sound when it does need changing.
If it’s time for new steering fluid, and you’ve never changed it yourself, don’t worry! Jerry
, the car insurance
savings app, has put together this guide to walk you through how to replace the power steering fluid for a 2000 Lexus RX300. (Read till the end to see how you can save on your Lexus RX300 insurance cost
.) How do I replace my 2000 Lexus RX300’s power steering fluid?
Replacing the power steering fluid in your 2000 Lexus RX300 is pretty easy. You’ll just need fresh Dexron III ATF fluid, an all-purpose fluid transfer pump
, and a container to hold the old fluid. Once you’ve got everything you need, here’s what you’ll need to do:
Locate the power steering reservoir. You’ll find it under the hood, near the back of the engine block, all the way to the right side—so it’ll be just above the front passenger-side wheel. It’s a white container with a flat black lid.
Remove the cap and insert your pump into the reservoir. The fluid transfer pump should come with a hose that should work perfectly. If you don’t have a pump and don’t want to buy one, you can try using an empty shampoo bottle.
Pump the old power steering fluid out of the reservoir. Use the pump to empty the reservoir and into a safe container.
Refill the reservoir with new fluid and replace the cap. Pour the new Dexron III ATF fluid into the reservoir until it reaches the fill line. Clean up any spilled fluid, and then replace the black lid.
And just like that, you’ve successfully drained and refilled your own power steering fluid!
MORE: How to check and add power steering fluid
Should I change it myself or take it to a mechanic?
Whether or not you should change your power steering fluid yourself or take it to a mechanic
depends on your own preference and comfort level. Having a professional change your fluid is certainly easier. Plus, you may feel more confident that the job was done correctly and that your old fluid was completely flushed from the system.
If you decide to change it yourself, however, you’ll save the $120 or so that a mechanic would charge you. Your only expense will be the $10-$20 that you’ll spend on replacement power steering fluid.
Which power steering fluid is best for a 2000 Lexus RX300?
The Lexus RX300 doesn’t use any product labeled as power steering fluid—although you’ll see plenty of those for sale. Instead, Lexus recommends using Dexron III fluid for their power steering systems. Dexron III isn’t technically a power steering fluid—it’s a type of Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).
Usually, you would only use transmission fluid for your transmission and power steering fluid for your power steering system—big surprise, right? But some cars, including most Lexus models, require ATF for their power steering system.
It’s crucial that you don’t use regular power steering fluid in your RX300. Doing so will cause serious damage to your Lexus. You must use an ATF.
You should be able to use any Dexron III ATF as your RX300’s power steering fluid. To be safe, it’s a good idea to stick with Toyota’s ATF
. Toyota is Lexus’s parent company, so you can be sure that their ATF will work well with your RX300. Toyota’s Dexron III fluid is reliable and affordable—but if you’d rather use another brand, there are plenty of others to choose from. Here are some of the best alternative options:
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Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers When do I need to replace my 2000 Lexus RX300’s power steering fluid?
You should drain and replace your RX300’s power steering fluid once every three to four years or every 30,000 miles—whichever comes first. That should be frequent enough to ensure your power steering system keeps working properly,
However, there are some situations in which you’ll need to change your power steering fluid early. Keep an eye out for these common warning signs that your steering fluid needs a change:
Screeching noises while turning
Difficulty steering or stiff steering wheel
Bubbles in your power steering fluid
Leaking power steering fluid
If you notice these symptoms, change your power steering fluid immediately! Failing to do so could result in some severe damage.
How to save money on Lexus insurance
It would be nice if changing your power steering fluid once every few years was all it took to keep your Lexus running smoothly. As you know, there’s a seemingly endless list of tasks and expenses associated with maintaining any car—including an RX300.
That’s why it’s important to look for ways to reduce car-related expenses wherever possible. One easy way is to use the Jerry
app. Jerry is an easy-to-use, trusted super app
that saves drivers an average of $800+ a year! Even better, it only takes a few minutes to download the app, set up an account, find a policy you like, and switch your coverage! “Jerry
has amazing communication! And even better deals! Thanks to Jerry, I went from $327 to $182 on my payments. I’m so grateful!” —Kim T.
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