Do You Need To Change Power Steering Fluid

Changing Power Steering Fluid Is a Beginner Task for Most DIYers. Here's Everything You Demand to Know to Change Ability Steering Fluid at Home.

DIY Difficulty Level: Beginner
Time Required: 1 to 2 hours
Tools & Materials:
- Pliers
- Drain pan
- Turkey baster (preferably non the one y'all utilize for cooking)
- Replacement fluid

What Is Power Steering Fluid?

Ability steering is typically a hydraulic system, similar to your brakes, that makes it easier for y'all to steer your motorcar. This arrangement contains a fluid that should be changed from time to time. This is also a good fourth dimension to check for leaks or worn hoses and repair them if necessary every bit well.

More and more new cars employ an electric ability steering system instead. This uses an electric motor instead of hydraulics and does non require fluid changes.

Is Information technology Safe to Bulldoze with Sometime Power Steering Fluid?

Your power steering fluid doesn't need to be changed often. Over time, though, leaks can class in your steering system, allowing fluid to escape and that which remains to become dirty. This causes extra wear and strain on the steering arrangement and can result in the failure of your pump or other components.

Changing your power steering fluid yourself is inexpensive and piece of cake, providing actress insurance against other problems that can crop up. Information technology also gives yous an opportunity to cheque for leaks and supersede any other components that demand information technology. If y'all're not comfy doing this job yourself, taking it to a shop won't pause the banking company, either.

When to Change Power Steering Fluid

Generally speaking, you should flush your power steering fluid every two years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes outset. Exist certain to cheque your manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule or free FIXD app to discover out what is recommended for your particular make and model.

What Are Common Symptoms Indicating Yous Need a Power Steering Flush?

Fluid is brown or black
Groaning noise from the ability steering pump, specially when turning the steering bicycle
Increased difficulty turning the steering bicycle

Keep in Mind

Different vehicles use dissimilar types of power steering fluid. Some even use automatic transmission fluid for the ability steering system. Make sure you lot use the right fluid as specified for your particular vehicle.

Remember to always follow the manufacturer'southward recommended maintenance schedule and do this service as advised for your make and model.

How It's Done

Stride 1: Jack upwards your auto

Follow these instructions to jack up the front of your car and back up it on jack stands.

Stride 2: Drain the ability steering reservoir

Notice your ability steering fluid reservoir. This is often attached to the power steering pump itself. Open the cap, and use a turkey baster to suck as much fluid out every bit you can, like a behemothic eyedropper.

Step iii: Disconnect the return line and bleed the system

Find your ability steering fluid return line. There are two lines under the car that attach to the power steering pump. The return line is the one with clamps that you tin can remove with a pair of pliers.

Identify your bleed pan under the return line. Remove the clench, then pull the hose off. Fluid will pour out of both ends and will probable make a bit of a mess. The more than fluid you tuckered out of the reservoir in Step 2, the less y'all will have to drain out here.

With the hose still asunder, turn the steering bike all the fashion to the left and right several times. This will pump fifty-fifty more old fluid out of the system. Keep doing this until fluid stops coming out.

Step iv: Flush the system with fresh fluid

With the return line hose nevertheless disconnected, make full the reservoir near halfway with fresh fluid.

Offset and run the engine to force this fluid through your steering system and bleed out the lesser, flushing any dirt or remnants of dirty fluid out of the system. Once again, plough the steering wheel all the way left and right several times to go all the power steering fluid out.

The reservoir will drain while you do this. Keep an eye on it, and make sure you pour enough fluid in the reservoir so that it doesn't become dry.

When the fluid coming out is the same color equally the fluid yous're pouring in, the organisation is clean. Turn off the engine.

Step 5: Reconnect the return line

Skid the return hose dorsum onto its fitting. Using a pair of pliers, replace the clamp on the hose so it won't come loose.

Pace 6: Peak off the fluid

Fill the power steering reservoir all the way to the "full" mark. Put the cap on, then run the engine for about 10 seconds. Shut it off, remove the cap, and refill the fluid to the "total" marking.

Stride seven: Check for leaks

Start the engine and let it run while looking underneath the auto to see if fluid is leaking from anywhere. Pay close attention to where you lot disconnected the hose to bleed and flush the system. Simply don't mistake fluid that spilled while the hose was off for a new leak, either.

However over again, plow the steering wheel all the mode right and left to pump fresh fluid all the way through the organisation. Keep checking and topping off the fluid level in the reservoir until it remains full.

Step 8: Lower the car and take a test bulldoze

If yous oasis't already, remove the drain pan from under the car. Remove the jack stands and place the automobile back on the footing. Turn the steering cycle all the way left and correct, this time to make sure it functions with little effort despite the tires being on the ground. If everything feels right, take a test drive to see how information technology feels out on the route. If everything works well, congratulations, you're washed.

If the steering doesn't experience quite right, open the hood and check the power steering fluid level. It'southward possible that you still had some air bubbles in the system, which may have burped themselves out while you drove. If the fluid is total and y'all still have problems, accept your car looked at by a professional person for further diagnosis.

Claim Your Custom Maintenance Schedule

Get the FIXD Sensor and free app today for a custom maintenance schedule based on your make, model, and mileage. Never miss important maintenance again with automated maintenance alerts! Learn more than at fixd.com.

Recovering autocross and rails day enthusiast. Once turned a VW Jetta into a pickup truck. Lives in a van down by the river. Dream motorcar: 2001 Subaru WRC rally car.