Do you put power steering fluid in while car is running

Power steering fluid is hugely important to the performance and life of your car. It’s what keeps things smooth and streamlined on the road. Without it, you’d be in a spot of bother. Prestone’s Power Steering Fluid is a grab-and-go essential that’s easy to use at home, but why exactly do you need it? Prestone is here to give you some handy directions…

Table of Contents Show

What does power steering fluid do?
“Can I drive without power steering fluid?”
How to add power steering fluid to your engine
How Power Steering Works
What Power Steering Fluid Does
Does my car need to be running when I add power steering fluid?
When should you put power steering fluid in?
Can I put power steering fluid in my car when it's hot?
What happens if your power steering runs out of fluid?

What does power steering fluid do?

Without getting too technical, power steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid that transmits the power in your steering system. In a bit more detail, it helps create the pressure that pushes on either side of your car’s rack-mounted piston, allowing you to turn the wheels with ease. Since the majority of cars today use power assisted steering (PAS) systems, this fluid is essential for smooth steering.

“Can I drive without power steering fluid?”

The short answer is “yes”, but it’s probably better to ask “do I want to be driving without power steering fluid?”

Not only does power steering fluid help with the motion of your vehicle, it also protects against wear and tear. If you don’t top up your power steering fluid regularly, then you risk damaging the pump, rack and pinion of your car, even with small amounts of fluid in your car’s power steering reservoir.

Engineered for superior performance you can trust, Prestone’s Power Steering Fluid can be used in all vehicles with power steering. Made to extend the life of your PAS system by preventing corrosion, it also reduces wear and noise without damaging its seals or gaskets. It’s easy to use as well – we’ll show you how.

How to add power steering fluid to your engine

Locate the reservoir cylinder

This is where the fluid is located. Most of the time, the reservoir is located in the same area of every car, but if you can’t find it, try looking in your owner’s manual for its specific location.

Check the fluid’s level

If the cylinder is translucent, you should be able to see the level of fluid in there, but if it’s made of metal, then check the level with a dipstick, which is usually attached to the cylinder’s cap. If this is the case, have a look at how much of the dipstick is covered by power-steering fluid.

Examine its colour

If the fluid that’s already in there is clear, amber or pink, then you’re good to go with a refill. But if it’s looking brown or black, it’s been contaminated by rubber from connecting hoses, seals or O-rings. That means you’ll have to take it to a mechanic to see if any of the PAS parts and fluid need replacing.

Add power-steering fluid to the correct fill level

Using the recommended fluid for your car, add the fluid steadily until you reach the correct level. Be careful not to overfill the fluid; it’s actually better to under-fill since it expands as it heats up. Any more than necessary and you risk causing problems which could, in turn, lead to expensive repairs.

At Prestone, we’re committed to optimising your car’s performance to help you excel on the road. Don’t leave your power steering problems until it’s too late – head over to the Prestone Power Steering Fluid page for smoother, easier performance today.

While vehicles today have power steering as a standard feature, it hasn’t always been the case. Over 50 years ago, power steering was considered a luxury and was found only in higher-class cars. As time went on though, power steering found its way into modern vehicles. Just like the engine needs lubrication from oil to keep internal components from premature wear, the power steering system also requires the assistance of a lubricant known as power steering fluid. Running out of or low on power steering fluid could create some unfavorable outcomes, which is why checking power steering fluid levels and getting flushes at the recommended time is so important.

How Power Steering Works

Similar to the brake system, power steering operates as a hydraulic system. More accurately described as power-assisted steering, because of the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and your actual wheels. The car’s engine power pumps power steering fluid from the reservoir to the rack and pinion utilizing a belt and pulley. As the steering wheel is turned, the power steering fluid flows through a piston that provides additional power to move the vehicle into the desired direction. When the steering wheel straightens, the valve closes to prevent the fluid from flowing and the piston retreats. Luckily, if the power to the system fails, the steering wheel is still able to turn although it is much more difficult.

What Power Steering Fluid Does

Power steering fluid plays a major role in the steering assist process. The power steering pump circulates the fluid under hydraulic pressure, allowing the piston in the steering gear to move, reducing the effort while turning the wheel. The rotary control valve delivers pressure to the piston, depending on the direction the wheel is turned, releasing from the opposite side. As pressure grows, the piston moves, turning the vehicle in the desired direction. Modern-day systems are so intuitive, they’re able to recognize the speed of the vehicle and slow the input from the steering wheel to the steering gear, reducing the sensitivity at higher speeds helping to prevent rollovers and other collisions.

Because power steering fluid is a hydraulic fluid and is needed to create steering assist, under extreme pressure, it produces a significant amount of heat. And because most power steering systems lack filtration, over time, the fluid becomes contaminated from dirt, debris, and weakened power steering components. Power steering flushes should be performed every 30,000 miles to keep power steering components lubricated and prevent system components from failure. Avoiding this service may place unnecessary strain on the pump making it work harder and may result in premature wear. In between flushes, be sure to check fluid levels. How do you know when to check power steering levels? Most reputable service centers will check fluid levels for you during each oil change service. However, you can also check for yourself any time. Follow our recommendation on how to check power steering fluid on your vehicle. Note: This fluid is best checked if the car has been running for a few minutes and has had time to warm up. Check levels with the engine off.

Locate the power steering reservoir, confirm it’s the power steering fluid by looking at the label on the cap and remove the top.
If made of clear plastic, the full and low indicators on the outside of the tank will indicate the current level of fluid. If the reservoir is metal or difficult to read, use the provided dipstick (often on the underside of the cap) to check the level. The dipstick has indicator lines to let you know if the fluid is high, low, or normal.

If your power steering fluid is low, it won’t take you long to realize something isn’t right. Often your vehicle will exhibit signs such as noisy steering, jerky feeling, and even difficulty when steering. Check your fluid levels if you notice changes in:

Sound

The act of steering is pretty quiet. Any time you hear a sound such as screeching or groaning sound, something may be wrong. Even a simple movement while stopped, such as turning your wheels from side to side produces an awful sound.

Touch

You may notice a jumpy feeling as you try to turn from one direction to another. This is often most noticeable when the vehicle is moving slowly, or not at all. As power steering fluid is depleted, the system struggles to work efficiently producing that jerky feeling. Difficulty or stiffness while turning is also a clear indicator that something is wrong.

Sight

Where the ground was once dry and clear of any fluid leaks, you notice puddles or stains under the vehicle. Although your vehicle is capable of leaking any fluid it uses, power steering fluid can leak from the pump, steering gear, or from the pressure lines.

Screeching sounds, stiffness while turning, slow response or groaning sounds are all symptoms of problems within the power steering system. Routine maintenance including a power steering flush can help prevent damage to components down the road. Contact a Service Consultant at Sun Devil Auto to review your maintenance schedule. If repairs are necessary, we can help with that, too. Our technicians are professionals and possess the knowledge and technique to repair your vehicle quickly and efficiently. When steering gets tough, turn your car or truck toward a Sun Devil Auto near you!

Does my car need to be running when I add power steering fluid?

Start the engine and let it run until the temperature gauge reaches the normal operating range. With the engine idling, turn the steering wheel all the way to full lock, and then turn it the other way to opposite lock.

When should you put power steering fluid in?

On average, vehicles need a power steering fluid flush every 40,000-80,000 miles. In some cases, manufacturer recommendations can go even higher or lower than this range. Your recommended flush routine depends heavily on your type of vehicle—as the steering system and fluid needs can vary.

Can I put power steering fluid in my car when it's hot?

Power steering fluid, can be added to your cars engine at any temperature, but if you are loosing fluid I would take it to the shop, to find out where your leak is. A new power steering line, is a lot cheaper, than a new pump.

What happens if your power steering runs out of fluid?

Driving your car for extended periods without power steering fluid can damage the pump. While there's nothing that physically stops you from driving your car if you have a power steering fluid leak, once the level drops, your pump runs dry. This causes increased friction and heat and can quickly cause expensive damage.