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Power Steering Fluid Change March 3, 2010

Posted by Executive Advisory Services in Uncategorized.
Tags: fluid leaks, fluid levels, fluid life, fluid type, low level, oil on floor, power steering pump, power sterring, red spot of floor, reddish colored oil, steering
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There is a lot of controversy regarding what fluids need to be change in a car, how often they need to be changed and how they need to be changed. This month we are going to look at your power steering fluid.

Power steering is one of those luxuries that we enjoy without understanding or acknowledging how it aids in our ability to comfortable drive. Generally those items that we take for granted (hot water, electricity, brakes, refrigeration, lights, etc.) do not get the regular maintenance they require to stay in top working condition.

Look at your odometer if it reads above 45,000 miles or if you have owned the car more than 3 years it is time to take it to your local mechaic to have the power steering fluid changes. Per AOL Autos dot com:

“Power steering fluid in general is not listed in most maintenance schedules as needing periodic replacement, although there are some exceptions. But we have a machine for that now too, so expect to be told you need your power steering fluid flushed. Look, if every three to five years (45,000 to 60,000 miles) you change your power steering fluid, that’s not a bad idea. And replacing it with synthetic fluid, if allowable, is even better. But you certainly don’t need to do it yearly or even every two years.  http://bit.ly/9gwqEf

Why a schedule change ? What happens if you ignore it?

What happens is that over a period of time, the various internal power-steering components as well as the seals, O-rings having been subjected to wear and tear tend to wear out. When this happens the power steering fluid gets contaminated with broken down debris forcing the power-steering pump to work harder. The power steering pump now has to pump the debris instead of fluid and no doubt it eventually breaks down.You are left poorer by several hundreds of dollars.

Worse still you may have to spend a fortune if you lose your power steering system.

All you got to do to be out of these hassles is to simply replace the spent out fluid by a fresh one.

Preventive maintenance holds the key

You may not become richer but definitely you will become poorer if you ignore the schedule printed on your owner’s manual for changing power steering fluid. When it comes into preventive maintenance there are other issues too other than just following the schedule. You could be faced with other distress situations too some of which we list here:

• In case while driving you hear an abnormal whining noise (happens quicker with some makes (FORD)) whenever you turn the steering wheel, get your power-steering system thoroughly checked. This could be the alarm bell sounding before the power-steering pump failure.

• Do not take casually any leak.Immediately check your power-steering fluid level.Top it up if the level has fell. Don’t end up ignoring this, otherwise your power steering fluid pump will be wrecked just because you made it run without fluid.

• Change it as often as you would change your engine coolant. If your car requires “long-life” variety Power steering fluid then you have to change it every five years or 100,000 miles. For others, the change interval is every three years or 45,000 miles

• You have to see the deterioration that has occurred to your power steering fluid and change that much fluid as has deteriorated. It’s not necessary to change all of the power steering system’s fluid to keep it in good condition.

• Most likely, the power steering fluid will appear either amber (on most vehicles) or pink/red in color. Till it is retaining this color it is good. Any serious problem is indicated only when it appears significantly darker than new power steering fluid. When you see that the fluid is significantly darker than its color when it was fresh, it calls for a change of the power steering fluid.

• If the fluid is only somewhat darker than new you can perform this procedure on consecutive weekends. Proceed till you get the desired “good as new” fluid appearance.

• If the fluid is dark brown or black that indicates a serious system contamination (likely due to breakdown of internal rubber parts or hoses) and more extensive repairs are called for. When this happens do not proceed with solvent flushing. If you carry on it will only make matters worse.

So your action item today should be to check the odometer an see where your vehicle’s power steering to determine how much life remains or acknowledge that you are driving on borrowed time and start saving for the pump replacement.

If you are a Utah customer and mention this article when you make your appointment for a power steering fluid change you will receive a FREE set of Bosch Evolution All Season Wiper Blades at the time of the fluid change.

Good driving! visit our web site at:http://bit.ly/4hbhJs