Tips for checking and adding power steering fluid to your car.
There's another hydraulic fluid reservoir under the hood of your car that is often inconspicuous and overlooked, but it's no less important than the others. It's the power steering fluid reservoir.
The power steering pump is driven by an engine drivebelt, so locate the drivebelt-end of the engine and look for a small pump. The drivebelts are on the front of the engine; or if you have a front-wheel-drive car with the engine mounted transversely (sideways), the drivebelts are usually on the right (passenger's) side. You can recognize the power steering pump because it has a small fluid reservoir mounted on top of it or connected to it by a tube or hose. The fluid reservoir has a removable cap that is often colored yellow or marked PS or STEERING.
CAUTION: Do not overfill the power steering reservoir. Fluid overflow, foaming, and possible system damage may occur.
The power steering fluid can be checked either hot or cold. Fluid level will vary with temperature, however, and a more accurate check will occur when the engine is warm. The reservoir cap has a small dipstick attached to it, and most are marked for HOT and COLD fluid levels on opposite sides of the dipstick. Be sure to check the fluid level on the correct side of the dipstick, depending on fluid temperature. If fluid level is below the ADD mark, add fluid to bring the level between the ADD and FULL marks.
How To Choose Power Steering Fluid
Most carmakers recommend specific power steering fluids for their vehicles. Some, however, call for ATF to be used in the power steering system. Fortunately, there are far fewer kinds of power steering to choose from than there are various ATF formulations. Always use the type of fluid recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, and do not mix different kinds of fluid. Use of the wrong fluid may damage system hoses and rubber seals in the power steering pump and valves.
The power steering pump is driven by an engine drivebelt, so locate the drivebelt-end of the engine and look for a small pump. The drivebelts are on the front of the engine; or if you have a front-wheel-drive car with the engine mounted transversely (sideways), the drivebelts are usually on the right (passenger's) side. You can recognize the power steering pump because it has a small fluid reservoir mounted on top of it or connected to it by a tube or hose. The fluid reservoir has a removable cap that is often colored yellow or marked PS or STEERING.
The power steering fluid can be checked either hot or cold. Fluid level will vary with temperature, however, and a more accurate check will occur when the engine is warm. The reservoir cap has a small dipstick attached to it, and most are marked for HOT and COLD fluid levels on opposite sides of the dipstick. Be sure to check the fluid level on the correct side of the dipstick, depending on fluid temperature. If fluid level is below the ADD mark, add fluid to bring the level between the ADD and FULL marks.
Most carmakers recommend specific power steering fluids for their vehicles. Some, however, call for ATF to be used in the power steering system. Fortunately, there are far fewer kinds of power steering to choose from than there are various ATF formulations. Always use the type of fluid recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, and do not mix different kinds of fluid. Use of the wrong fluid may damage system hoses and rubber seals in the power steering pump and valves.