How to Check and Add Power-Steering Fluid

Check the power-steering fluid when you check the other fluids under the hood. You don't want to let a leak go undetected. Small leaks usually turn into large ones over time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Power-steering Fluid
• Funnel
• Rag

1. Open the hood and find the reservoir for the power-steering fluid. It will probably be labeled on the cap. If not, look near the belts for a pulley-driven pump with a plastic or metal reservoir on top.

2. 

   Open the cap. It may unscrew or pop off.

3. Check the fluid level (see illustration in Step 2). If the reservoir is made of clear plastic, look for full and low indicator lines on the outside. The cap will have a small dipstick attached if the reservoir isn't see-through. Wipe the dipstick clean with a rag and put the cap back on. Remove the cap and check the level on the dipstick. Your car may have both full hot and full cold indicators, as the fluid level will vary depending on whether the engine is cold or hot.

4. Add power-steering fluid as needed, using a funnel to avoid spilling. If the engine is hot, fill to the hot line. If the engine is cold, fill to the cold line.

5. Put the reservoir cap back on.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can use only one hand to parallel-park, then you have power steering.
• Running out of power-steering fluid will damage the pump. Replacing a cracked power-steering hose or loose clamp is cheap compared with the cost of replacing the pump.
• Check the label on the fluid to make sure it's the correct type for your car.

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[cricketgo]

on 3/16/2009 Many people use transmission fluid in the power steering instead of power steering fluid, but I'm told motor oil will tear up the rubber seals in the power steering. The same if you put it in the transmission. Don't know for sure about brake fluid but I'm told if you add it to your engine oil, it will seal any leaks in the seals for a short while, then all of them will fail. It's a trick sometimes used by crooked dealers to unload a vehicle. I don't think it would be good to put it in the power steering.

[mag51961]

on 11/21/2008 what happens if u put brake fluid in where the power steering fluid is supposed to go?

[albertkhoon]

on 12/8/2008 Can automatic gear oil be used as power steering oil

on 8/8/2006 In my owner's manual, it's advised you check your power steering level when hot (after at least 5 minutes of idling or driving 1 mile). Move the steering wheel back and forth several times during warm up. Turn off the motor and check the fluid dipstick. The manual tells you to add fluid if the level is low (in small amounts, continuously monitoring/checking level until reaching full hot range).