How to change power steering fluid

Check power steering fluid

Locate the power steering fluid reservoir

To check and change the power steering fluid, the driver must first determine where the power steering fluid reservoir is located. Normally, the power steering fluid is contained in a cylinder, located next to the power steering pulley. The material is usually made of plastic or metal.

Check the oil level in the tank

If the power steering fluid reservoir is made of transparent plastic, the driver can easily observe the remaining fluid level inside the reservoir to determine the direction of handling. If the reservoir is made of metal or opaque plastic, the driver can use a stick to check the remaining fluid level. However, on all current vehicles, the manufacturer has equipped the oil check stick on the power steering fluid reservoir cap.

Before using the oil dipstick, the driver needs to wipe the dipstick clean with a rag to avoid contaminating the oil. Then insert the dipstick into the tank and take it out to observe the dipstick according to the specified maximum and minimum level markings. If the power steering fluid level is at or below the minimum level, it means the vehicle is low on power steering fluid and needs to be replenished immediately.

Check oil quality

Drivers should also regularly check the quality of the power steering fluid to determine whether the oil is still usable or not. If the power steering fluid is orange or light pink, the oil is still good to use. If the oil is brown or black, it means the oil is dirty, should not be used anymore and needs to be replaced.

How to add power steering fluid

Adding power steering fluid is not too complicated, so drivers can completely change it at home. Vehicle owners only need to add power steering fluid to the tank up to the standard line marked by the manufacturer.

Then, start the car on the spot, turn the steering wheel back and forth to clear all air bubbles in the system and check the car. After checking, turn off the engine and carefully close the oil tank cap on the car.

During oil change and oil addition, be careful to avoid dust falling into the oil tank, which will affect the quality.

Change power steering fluid

When checking and finding that the power steering fluid is of poor quality and cannot be used anymore, the vehicle owner should replace all the power steering fluid.

Use a suction cup

The driver uses a suction can to suck out all the old oil. Then pour in new oil and it's done. When sucking oil this way, the driver can only suck out the oil in the can, not all the oil in the power steering system. Therefore, a few more steps are needed.

Specifically, after the first suction, if the oil has not come out completely, the driver should add a little new oil to the tank, then start and run the vehicle for about 15-20 minutes to let the new oil mix well with the old oil. Then use the suction bottle to suck out all the oil. Then pour in new oil, run the vehicle and suck out the oil.

After each suction, the quality of the oil will be improved. Do this 3-4 times to ensure that the old oil is completely removed. During the last oil filling, the driver needs to fill the tank with new oil and close the cap tightly. This process of changing the power steering oil is time-consuming but reduces the need to jack up and raise the chassis.

Manual oil change

This method is more complicated but can drain old power steering fluid in just one go.

Specifically, use a car jack to raise the chassis of the car.

Remove the return hose from the oil tank, replace it with a plastic hose and raise the other end of the plastic hose so that the oil does not flow out.

Place the return hose into a basin to catch the old oil that flows out.

Start the car and turn the steering wheel from left to right and vice versa. This will help the oil in the steering wheel flow down the return hose.

At the same time, pour new oil into the upper tank. Pour continuously until the old oil flowing in the basin has a similar color to the new oil, then stop.

Turn off the engine, reinstall the return hose as before, remember to tighten the nut firmly.

Start the car again, turn the steering wheel from left to right and vice versa to remove all air bubbles in the system.

Check the oil level in the tank, if it is not enough, add more to the specified level, then close the oil tank cap and finish changing the oil.

Although it is possible to perform oil changes yourself, to ensure quality and efficiency, car owners should still choose to bring their cars to a garage for specialized technicians to check and perform according to standards.