Proper way to check power steering fluid level

[HaroldCallahan]

Decided to use the turkey baster method to change out some of the power steering fluid in my old 1988 GMC Suburban.

The fluid didnt look too bad, it was dark red, maybe a little dirty. Not sure if it was original or not, but I have owned it for 5 years and have never replaced it.

Anyway, a question occurred to me. Am I checking the fluid level properly ???

I checked it cold, and put the cap all the way back in and screwed it down and then take it back out to check the level. Made sure it was just at the mark for cold.

The question is, should the cap be screwed in for the check, or just pushed in without screwing it down ???

I would think screwing it in is correct, but that is what I would have thought when checking the oil level on my 72cc honda dirt bikes. But on the dirt bikes it is incorrect to screw the filler plug in to check the oil level. If you do screw it in, you are about 3/4 of an inch off.

What is the correct way on the old suburban - screw it in or not???

 

[shortyb]

I'm assuming you have no manual for it. Most of my cars now have clear/opaque resevoirs so the dipstick check is eliminated. On my recently departed Tacoma, the manual said to place the cap back on, lining up the tabs so it would seat, then take a read. If yours isn't specific, I'd screw it back in to take the level. That way you wouldn't overfill it as long as its at the top of the appropriate line, ie: hot-max and cold-max.

 

[kenw]

It's not an exact measurement, just fill it almost full, a bit lower than the cap so you have some room for expansion and for the dipstick if you have one. The reservoir is purely make-up fluid and isn't required in normal operation.

My Camrys (and I believe most cars) have a translucent bottle that in theory you can check without removing the cap. However, since the fluid permanently stains the bottle, it always looks full and you really need to use the dipstick. Which being black plastic is a booget to read.....