I've never done this in either of my cars or even considered it. I know a lot of other cars in the family have never had it done, either. How important is it to flush the P/S fluid on a regular basis? It doesn't seem that hard to do with my car, just disconnect the hose and attach a tube to it, run the car til it's empty and refill, but if it's not worth doing, I won't do it. I wanna keep my car as long as possible, however.
How important is it to flush P/S fluid?
- Thread starter ThirdeYe
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As long as there are no leaks to allow air and dirt ingestion...all you need to do is, once per year, empty the power steering reservoir with a turkey baster and refill with clean fluid.
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Cool, I can do that. There's no leaks at all, and sounds great. One of the perks of having a car that was owned by a 70+ year old lady!
This past winter my 2001 (with origional P/S fluid) started to whine just a bit on cold starts in the morning. I used the turkey baster method and sucked out and refilled, then ran the car, and repeated until i used 2 quarts of ATF (which is what my P/S calls for).
No more whine!
No more whine!
ThirdeYe,
Yes it would be best to flush it, however do not run the engine till it's dry. Try this instead:
1. Jack up the front end and support it on jack stands.
2. Remove the return hose and place it in a gallon container.
3. Drain reservoir, and refill with new power steering fluid.
4. Turn wheels from left lock to right lock twice, without the engine running.
5. Inspect to see how much fluid has left the reservoir, and top off as needed.
6. Repeat step 4 until you have used 2 quarts of new fluid.
7. Reattach return line to reservoir, and top off to the full level (full cold if applicable).
8. Start the engine and turn wheels from left lock to right lock 5 times.
9. Shut off engine and check the fluid level, top off as needed.
10. Lower vehicle and you're done.
Be sure to check the fluid level after the first couple of times of driving it and top off as necessary.
Also, I would recommend using a synthetic power steering fluid (or synthetic ATF if your manufacturer recommends ATF in the power steering system) if you can find one.
From then on, drain the reservoir and top off every other oil change.
Yes it would be best to flush it, however do not run the engine till it's dry. Try this instead:
1. Jack up the front end and support it on jack stands.
2. Remove the return hose and place it in a gallon container.
3. Drain reservoir, and refill with new power steering fluid.
4. Turn wheels from left lock to right lock twice, without the engine running.
5. Inspect to see how much fluid has left the reservoir, and top off as needed.
6. Repeat step 4 until you have used 2 quarts of new fluid.
7. Reattach return line to reservoir, and top off to the full level (full cold if applicable).
8. Start the engine and turn wheels from left lock to right lock 5 times.
9. Shut off engine and check the fluid level, top off as needed.
10. Lower vehicle and you're done.
Be sure to check the fluid level after the first couple of times of driving it and top off as necessary.
Also, I would recommend using a synthetic power steering fluid (or synthetic ATF if your manufacturer recommends ATF in the power steering system) if you can find one.
From then on, drain the reservoir and top off every other oil change.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
It seems today's rack and pinion systems benefit from fresh fluid. Especially the overworked systems on minivans and some trucks. Older recirculating ball systems seemed to last forever regardless.
Joel
Joel
I did my first P/S fluid change on my 96 Saturn at 98k miles. I don't recall the old fluid's appearance. The system holds 28 ounces and specs GM PSF. Used Walmart Power Steering Fluid and did six, 6oz extractions over the course of two weeks. The fluid now appears golden when wiped onto a white piece of paper.
Anybody know if this works on systems with Hydroboost brake systems?
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