Power Steering Fluid - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**cefunonge** · 09-11-2006, 11:45 PM

Another car question

As I was washing my car today, I also checked the fluids. I noticed that the power steering fluid was just below minimum, first time in two years I have seen it this low. Now, do I need a separate fluid for this? Call me stupid, but I have brake/clutch fluid, is this not the same?

**anaisdannyxys** · 09-11-2006, 11:52 PM

umm I dont think it is, if your fluid low it has to be leaking someware cause its a closed unit and it doesnt get burned or anything. do you see anything leaking? just get some fluid fill it and keep an eye on it

**cefunonge** · 09-12-2006, 12:44 AM

Just had a thought. I'm taking the car in tomorrow for two new front tyres, so I'll just ask if they top it up for me, I assume they will have the right stuff ready there.

**inofindy** · 09-12-2006, 12:57 AM

Top it up and monitor the fluid level. If it starts to drop again, check for leaks.

**Ivanaishere** · 09-12-2006, 01:41 AM

What type of car is it kel?

**cefunonge** · 09-12-2006, 02:52 AM

What type of car is it kel?

98 Fiesta.

**gWhya5ct** · 09-12-2006, 04:02 AM

They are going to charge you like $20 for that I bet. Go and buy a bottle of power steering fluid for $3 and top it off yourself. It isnt all that difficult.

When I got my S10, the wheel at times was hard to turn and would make a nasty noise, so I checked my power steering fluid. It was pretty low, a bit lower then what it should have been. Well actually more like a lot. I topped it off, and 10,000 miles later it is still at the same level surprisingly. I dont know how it could get that low and not have a leak in it, but all is a'ok. Maybe yours will be the same.

**cefunonge** · 09-12-2006, 04:23 AM

They are going to charge you like $20 for that I bet. Go and buy a bottle of power steering fluid for $3 and top it off yourself. It isnt all that difficult.

When I got my S10, the wheel at times was hard to turn and would make a nasty noise, so I checked my power steering fluid. It was pretty low, a bit lower then what it should have been. Well actually more like a lot. I topped it off, and 10,000 miles later it is still at the same level surprisingly. I dont know how it could get that low and not have a leak in it, but all is a'ok. Maybe yours will be the same.

Well, if they have ask for anything too high I will say don't bother, don't worry about that

I haven't noticed any change in feeling of the wheel, but then it has only gone down gradually, maybe I will when it gets topped up. The difference between the min and max fill levels is so small though its hard to think it so important anyway.

**stutnerman** · 09-12-2006, 05:15 AM

The difference between the min and max fill levels is so small though its hard to think it so important anyway.

Putting too much in can blow the seals in the system, resulting in potentially very expensive repairs, so be very careful if/when you add. Too little fluid can result in air entering the system, which can lead to pump damage, so it's actually fairly important to keep the fluid level in the proper range.

**Ivanaishere** · 09-12-2006, 05:39 AM

Get it into somewhere to check the PAS pump seals etc, My focus was leaking from the steering column seal at one bit, had to get a whole new column or something cant remember exactly.

**Turbo-ip** · 09-12-2006, 06:39 AM

Make sure you get RED ATF fluid and not GREEN ATF fluid. (automatic transmission fluid. It IS the same stuff as power steering fluid, but it's called ATF fluid)
It should come in 1/2 litre bottles. That'll be more than enough. [yes]

**cefunonge** · 10-11-2006, 06:50 PM

Perhaps because it was early in the morning, but I didn't remember about the power steering till I was on way home anyway, heh. Went to Halfords and bought a 500ml bottle for £5.99. Thing is, when I got home and checked the level, it was at the max level

Does it warm up, and should be topped up when cold? I assume so, or else I was seeing things yesterday

On another note, mmm, new tyres

**Fegasderty** · 10-11-2006, 07:12 PM

Perhaps because it was early in the morning, but I didn't remember about the power steering till I was on way home anyway, heh. Went to Halfords and bought a 500ml bottle for £5.99. Thing is, when I got home and checked the level, it was at the max level Does it warm up, and should be topped up when cold? I assume so, or else I was seeing things yesterday

Was about to mention this. Power steering, like automatic transmission, oil expands by a considerable amount as it heats up. Check the manufacturors recommended checking proceedure.

**cefunonge** · 10-11-2006, 07:45 PM

Was about to mention this. Power steering, like automatic transmission, oil expands by a considerable amount as it heats up. Check the manufacturors recommended checking proceedure.

"At normal operating temperature"

So I guess that means it fine. And I just bought that stuff. Bugger!

Its unused so I guess I can take it back?

**Ivanaishere** · 10-11-2006, 09:38 PM

It expands alot, when my engine's warm the level is above Max, when it's cold for me the level is round about the max mark.

That was my local garage that put it like that so I'm assuming it's safe enough.

09-11-2006, 11:45 PM	#1
cefunonge Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 322 Senior Member	Power Steering Fluid Another car question As I was washing my car today, I also checked the fluids. I noticed that the power steering fluid was just below minimum, first time in two years I have seen it this low. Now, do I need a separate fluid for this? Call me stupid, but I have brake/clutch fluid, is this not the same? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-11-2006, 11:52 PM	#2
anaisdannyxys Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 441 Senior Member	umm I dont think it is, if your fluid low it has to be leaking someware cause its a closed unit and it doesnt get burned or anything. do you see anything leaking? just get some fluid fill it and keep an eye on it Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-12-2006, 12:44 AM	#3
cefunonge Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 322 Senior Member	Just had a thought. I'm taking the car in tomorrow for two new front tyres, so I'll just ask if they top it up for me, I assume they will have the right stuff ready there. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-12-2006, 12:57 AM	#4
inofindy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 473 Senior Member	Top it up and monitor the fluid level. If it starts to drop again, check for leaks. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-12-2006, 01:41 AM	#5
Ivanaishere Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 466 Senior Member	What type of car is it kel? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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09-12-2006, 02:52 AM	#6
cefunonge Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 322 Senior Member	What type of car is it kel? 98 Fiesta. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-12-2006, 04:02 AM	#7
gWhya5ct Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 482 Senior Member	They are going to charge you like $20 for that I bet. Go and buy a bottle of power steering fluid for $3 and top it off yourself. It isnt all that difficult. When I got my S10, the wheel at times was hard to turn and would make a nasty noise, so I checked my power steering fluid. It was pretty low, a bit lower then what it should have been. Well actually more like a lot. I topped it off, and 10,000 miles later it is still at the same level surprisingly. I dont know how it could get that low and not have a leak in it, but all is a'ok. Maybe yours will be the same. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-12-2006, 04:23 AM	#8
cefunonge Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 322 Senior Member	They are going to charge you like $20 for that I bet. Go and buy a bottle of power steering fluid for $3 and top it off yourself. It isnt all that difficult. When I got my S10, the wheel at times was hard to turn and would make a nasty noise, so I checked my power steering fluid. It was pretty low, a bit lower then what it should have been. Well actually more like a lot. I topped it off, and 10,000 miles later it is still at the same level surprisingly. I dont know how it could get that low and not have a leak in it, but all is a'ok. Maybe yours will be the same. Well, if they have ask for anything too high I will say don't bother, don't worry about that I haven't noticed any change in feeling of the wheel, but then it has only gone down gradually, maybe I will when it gets topped up. The difference between the min and max fill levels is so small though its hard to think it so important anyway. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-12-2006, 05:15 AM	#9
stutnerman Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 492 Senior Member	The difference between the min and max fill levels is so small though its hard to think it so important anyway. Putting too much in can blow the seals in the system, resulting in potentially very expensive repairs, so be very careful if/when you add. Too little fluid can result in air entering the system, which can lead to pump damage, so it's actually fairly important to keep the fluid level in the proper range. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-12-2006, 05:39 AM	#10
Ivanaishere Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 466 Senior Member	Get it into somewhere to check the PAS pump seals etc, My focus was leaking from the steering column seal at one bit, had to get a whole new column or something cant remember exactly. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-12-2006, 06:39 AM	#11
Turbo-ip Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 441 Senior Member	Make sure you get RED ATF fluid and not GREEN ATF fluid. (automatic transmission fluid. It IS the same stuff as power steering fluid, but it's called ATF fluid) It should come in 1/2 litre bottles. That'll be more than enough. [yes] Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

10-11-2006, 06:50 PM	#12
cefunonge Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 322 Senior Member	Perhaps because it was early in the morning, but I didn't remember about the power steering till I was on way home anyway, heh. Went to Halfords and bought a 500ml bottle for £5.99. Thing is, when I got home and checked the level, it was at the max level Does it warm up, and should be topped up when cold? I assume so, or else I was seeing things yesterday On another note, mmm, new tyres Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

10-11-2006, 07:12 PM	#13
Fegasderty Join Date Mar 2008 Posts 5,023 Senior Member	Perhaps because it was early in the morning, but I didn't remember about the power steering till I was on way home anyway, heh. Went to Halfords and bought a 500ml bottle for £5.99. Thing is, when I got home and checked the level, it was at the max level Does it warm up, and should be topped up when cold? I assume so, or else I was seeing things yesterday Was about to mention this. Power steering, like automatic transmission, oil expands by a considerable amount as it heats up. Check the manufacturors recommended checking proceedure. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

10-11-2006, 07:45 PM	#14
cefunonge Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 322 Senior Member	Was about to mention this. Power steering, like automatic transmission, oil expands by a considerable amount as it heats up. Check the manufacturors recommended checking proceedure. "At normal operating temperature" So I guess that means it fine. And I just bought that stuff. Bugger! Its unused so I guess I can take it back? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

10-11-2006, 09:38 PM	#15
Ivanaishere Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 466 Senior Member	It expands alot, when my engine's warm the level is above Max, when it's cold for me the level is round about the max mark. That was my local garage that put it like that so I'm assuming it's safe enough. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

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