I always thought that ATF was reddish in color. However, the power steering fluid in my 2002 4Runner is more clear. Almost like brake fluid. I've only owned the vehicle for about 4 weeks and the previous owner had service at dealerships. Is the power steering fluid a different color at dealerships for some reason?

Any help is great,

MadCityRich

 

Perhaps they used the actual PS fluid than atf?

 

Thats odd, as they call for ATF.. which as you said is read... your not looking at the brake fluid right

If you change it put a high quality synthetic ATF in, like amsoil.... it will last longer as PS fluid gets DAMN hott...

 

The a-holes probably used PS fluid at the dealership. I had a dealership in Wichita Falls Texas that sold/serviced both Chevy and Toyota that didn't know/or chose not to follow Toyota specs too. Keep in mind the lube techs at Dealerships are maybe only one small step above a Jiffylube teen. I doubt they had a Master tech doing it.

 

Even some of the master tech's at Toy dealerships use PS fluid. I was a lube tech at Toyota once, and asked one of the techs to borrow a funnel to fill the PS up with ATF, he said he usually just uses the little bottle of PS fluid, it's easier that way!