Why Power Steering Is a Must!

By Jason T Tyler

You already know that power steering makes it far easier to make turns in your car. Power steering can be a great gas saver, but only if you maintain your steering system properly. Taking care of your power steering system will not only save money on gas, it will also reduce your repair bills in the long run.

Your power steering system requires that you maintain the proper fluid levels at their optimum levels at all times. If you over fill the fluid, you create excess pressure in your steering mechanism which decreases horsepower and increases that likelihood that you will damage your power steering pump. If levels are too low, you create friction drag in your steering mechanism which also decreases horsepower and could lead to damaging your power steering pump.

The best way to choose the right power steering fluid for your vehicle is to consult the owner's manual that came with your vehicle to see what it recommends. Never put fluid into your car unless you are certain that you know where it goes. This simple step will save you money on repairs and improve gas mileage. If you ever notice that your vehicle is leaking fluid, you need to address this right away to prevent further damage to your car. Maintaining your power steering fluid is just one of many ways to save money at the pump. Ensuring that your engine is tuned up and all the fluid levels are correct will improve your gas mileage, as will filling your tires to the proper air level. If you drive often, installing a fuel saving device can save you hundreds of dollars each year. 

Read more »

How to Check Your Car's Power Steering Fluid

By Sean J Williams

Hello and welcome back to our series on automotive tools and how to guides for the new weekend warrior auto mechanic. In the past, we have covered a lot of tools but in today's article I'm going to cover the simple process of checking your car's power steering fluid. Your car's power steering system is little more than a hydraulic system that applies pressure to one side or the other of the power steering rack or box.

Locate the power steering pump and reservoir. In most cars, the reservoir is built right into the pump and sits on top of it. Just follow your engine's accessory belt around until you find the part that has a fluid container on it - that's your power steering pump.

Unscrew the cap and examine the dipstick or fill line to check the fluid level.

If low, add more fluid for the specific type of vehicle that you have. German manufacturer's such as VW typically like to use synthetic mineral oil, while most other manufacturer's use a more common hydraulic fluid. You can find this information in your car's owners manual or your local service department in the dealership.

Read more »

Replacing the Power Steering Fluid of Your Car Effectively

Power steering fluid stands to be that integral part of which helps in easy diffusion of power in the steering of your car. On the contrary, if you live in hotter regions, the fluid level would be slightly high. In order to replace the power steering fluid, it is important that you follow the directions that are stated inside the manual of your car.
* Never let the fluid level decrease by allowing space for any kind of leakages. This would lead to the wrecking of the power steering system since it is running without any kind of fluid filled in it. 
* The power steering fluid pump of the car should be replaced as advised by the manufacturer of the car, which is specific to a specific model.

At times you really need not change the steering fluid, since it would be in a better condition that you would have assumed. Moreover, the standard of power steering fluid should be determined on the basis of the level of the fluid. Usually, the appearance of the fluid should be red or pink or amber in color. For replacing the fluid, you need to draw it from the small tank and then change it with a specific quantity of fresh fluid and this should be done repeatedly in every week. 

Read more »