Step by step :changing power steering fluid

Simply put, power-steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid that transmits the power in power steering. Servicing it involves draining or flushing out your car’s old power-steering fluid and then adding fresh power steering fluid.

The fluid is the cheapest component of your power-steering system. Changing it can help to prolong the life of other, more expensive power-steering components such as the power-steering pump and the power-steering rack, with both parts virtually impossible to get new.

Over time, the seals and internal power-steering components will wear out. When they break apart, they contaminate the power-steering fluid, which forces the power-steering pump to work harder (having to pump little chunks instead of just fluid) and eventually break down.

So how can I do this at home? Well, all drivers have some “mechanical knowledge” in them so doing a simple fluid change would be an enjoyable way to bring out the mechanic in you.
What you need: Syringe, 1-2 litre plastic bottle and 2 litres of fresh power steering fluid

1.: Remove the cover under your bonnet marked “power steering fluid” and inspect the fluid on the attached dip stick. If the fluid is light brown, it is time to change it. If the fluid looks clean and is pinkish, there is no need to change it. Older cars may use automatic transmission fluid in their power-steering units, but more modern cars may require a fluid specially designed for your particular make and model.

2.: Use the syringe to remove the fluid from the reservoir and suck out as much fluid as possible. Continue until the reservoir is empty.

3. : Refill the reservoir with fresh power-steering fluid until it reaches the correct level according to the marks on the dip stick or reservoir itself. Do NOT overfill it. Note that there may be a different optimum level when the engine is hot from when it is cold.

4. :Replace the reservoir cover. Start the car and let it run for two minutes.

5 Remove the cover from the power steering reservoir and look at the colour of the liquid. If it is still brownish or appears dirty which it will the first time, repeat the process, removing all the fluid in the reservoir with the syringe and replacing it with fresh fluid. Repeat until you have put at least 2 litres through the system. This will take approximately five to six cycles to complete. The downside to this method is that the reservoir only holds about a quarter of a litre of fluid.

Mixing new fluid with old dramatically increases the number of cycles and the amount of fluid required to complete the task as the percentage of old fluid gradually approaches (but theoretically never reaches) zero. There really is no advantage to this method except simplicity and the fact that it brings out the mechanic sprit in you.
editorial@ug.nationmedia.com