Power steering fluid dark but it was just changed?

SAM WARNER

MEMBER
2011 HONDA CRV
2WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

End of March I took my vehicle to Jiffy Lube for an oil change and they said the power steering fluid needed to be exchanged, so I told them to go ahead and spent $70.00 to have them do it. Today, not even 3 months later, my girlfriend took the car to her mechanic and he said the fluid is dark and needs to be replaced.

I'd like to find out if someone has been dishonest with us, or if something might be wrong causing the fluid to need to be replaced that quickly. I don't know enough to tell one way or the another. Is there any knowledge you can give me or a way I can find out if it really does need to be replaced, and maybe if it even was replaced back in March? My girlfriend thinks Jiffy lube just charged me and didn't do it, and I worry something might be causing a deeper issue or her mechanic just wants to make a quick buck by changing it again.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

It's difficult at this point to determine if the first place did it or not. Here's why: If the system was extremely dirty, removing the old fluid and replacing it with new will likely cause the new fluid to become dirty again quickly. The new fluid acts as a cleaner in dirty conditions (if that makes sense).

Also, how dark is it? Could you take a small amount of it and place it on a white napkin or paper towel so I can see it?

Also, this is really an easy procedure to do on this vehicle. I attached the directions specific to this vehicle below. I did it for two reasons. First, if you want to do it yourself, simply follow the directions. However, I want you to pay special attention to the very last step in the last pic. Although it was serviced, was that last step followed? This is why I can't say for sure if it was or wasn't done. Most quick oil change locations will do it once and that's it. So, it could still be dirty, even if the fluid was actually changed.

Regardless, let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

Images (Click to make bigger)