Power steering fluid color. What's "normal"?

[GOHOGS]

Hi All.

First... a PSA that Walmart has Mobil 1 synthetic on rollback for about $22 / 5qt. Combine that with their $12 online rebate (2 rebates max), and it's almost free Mobil 1.

My question relates to the pic I have attached. I took my '14 LX (35k miles) in for a tire rotation, and given the steal on Mobil 1, I had them do a LOF with the oil and a spare TRD filter I had.

It was a different Toyota dealer from my usual due to scheduling, and I decided to take a quick look around the engine afterward. I saw the power steering fluid, and I guess I never noticed what's normal. Should it be this dark for a '14 with 35k miles?

I bought it CPO at about 15k miles. Nearly all easy interstate highway miles from me since then. I've had zero issues with the car, including steering, but it just looks dark through the plastic. Levels look good and I've seen no leaks. Is this normal?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[Ninja Cruiser100]

You cannot tell the color or quality thru the plastic. In my 2000 LC the "power steering fluid" is ATF. Should be reddish and clear.

 

[GOHOGS]

Thanks for the repose. So should i take the cap off and dab onto a towel and have a look? If it's fresh, do you have an idea as far as what it should look like?

Like I said... No issue, but it looked dark, and I want to determine if that's normal.

 

[bjowett]

The oe fill in my 2009 was light golden/clear tan color. It did look a little dark in the container.... Dab some on a paper towel, it will probably look good. I run Redline D4 in my PS system, the pump will live a veeeeery long time with that stuff in there.

 

[concretejungle]

lol i just started a thread and then searched.... and saw this thread.

Anyways, as an update, my 2015 with 25,000 miles is showing serious grayness in the color of the fluid. I"ll try to wipe some on a napkin so you guys can see.

I don't think it should look that way but it is.

Also, it appears to be actual power steering fluid and not ATF that's in my 80 series. I haven't even opened the manual to verify that.

 

[bjowett]

It's still ATF II, III, or equivalent.

 

[bigredmachine]

cap says atf but it gets p/s from the factory. its going to be normal for the color to go from a golden color to a brown color, you can go by color checking it or go by smell. if itis starting to smell burnt and toasty, time to change it out