If the car you have isn't a classic, you're probably driving one with a power steering. And if it's a passenger car, the ease of turning the wheel is associated with a hydraulic power steering system. As the name suggests, it entails hydraulic fluid. The fluid is responsible for transmitting the power, which eases the wheels' turning for An IMPROVED driving experience.
The power steering fluid can get depleted, burnt, or may just be contaminated. These issues result in the malfunctioning of the power steering system, which is dangerous. You may experience difficulty turning the wheels, and you end, causing an accident. How do you avoid this? Check your power steering system fluid often and adjust accordingly. Here's how you do it:
1. Start by warming the fluid.
Warming up the fluid helps you get an accurate read of the fluid's level. You warm the fluid by running the car. Start your vehicle and let it run for a while. Then start turning the steering wheel on the right and left sides till you get to the stop. Repeat this three times then turn the engine off.
2. Single out the power steering fluid reservoir.
The location of the reservoir depends on the make of the car. This is the sort of information you can get in your car's user manual. If you don't have one, a simple google search for information on your vehicle will do a lot of good. The reservoir is labelled, though, so you can skip the internet search and try finding it yourself. It is located under the hood of the car and, in most times, is placed on the driver's side.
3. Open to check the fluid level.
Found the reservoir? It will have a dipstick connected to the cap. The dipstick has measurements on it. Once you take it out the first time, you usually get wrong readings. What you do is take it out, wipe it down, then re-insert it into the reservoir, then remove it and get the correct readings. Some tanks are made of clear plastic with measurements (indicator lines) on the outer end, so you will not need to open it. Check the levels via the indicator lines.
4. Refill if the reading indicates a low level.
You have to replenish the fluid once the level falls low. Power steering fluids vary from car to car, so make sure that you use the correct type. Using the wrong fluid can cause the entire system to fail and require a replacement. Refer to your user manual or your mechanic to be sure.
Done replacing? Now you can drive safely.
Let no one lie to you that you can drive without steering fluid. It's as essential as any other component in the car. If you notice leaks, you may need to buy a new cylinder. You can request Carpart.com.au to search one for you by filling out a form, which will provide the required details like specs, VIN, and others. Locate an auto part without the hassle by sending a request today!
By Eric Anyega