How to Maintain Power-Steering Fluid Levels in Vehicles

The Vehicles is a popular choice Vehicles the small, stylish sedan market in America. Vehicles drivers can also ensure that their Vehicles lasts many years by performing basic fluid maintenance. Checking the power-steering fluid level regularly can help improve the life of your Vehicles and prevent costly damage caused by leaks in the system, while also ensuring that your Vehicles is safe on the road.

Under The Hood:

• How to Maintain Power-Steering Fluid Levels in a VW Jetta
• How to Maintain Power-Steering Fluid Levels in a Chevy Silverado
• How to Maintain Power-Steering Fluid Levels in a Dodge Ram
• How to Maintain Power-Steering Fluid Levels in a GMC Sierra
• How to Maintain Power-Steering Fluid Levels in a VW Passat

 How to Maintain Power-Steering Fluid Levels in a VW Jetta

Check the power-steering fluid level in your VW Jetta every 15,000 miles. At this interval, you should also be checking the other fluids under the hood, including the transmission fluid, brake fluid and coolant. You can check fluids sooner if you suspect a leak.

Park your VW Jetta on a level surface before checking fluid levels to ensure an accurate reading, and take note of whether the engine is hot or cold before reading the power-steering level, since the levels of hot and cold fluids differ.

Locate the power-steering fluid reservoir in the engine compartment. The reservoir should be connected to the power steering pump and clearly labeled. Remove the cap to check the fluid level for either "Hot" or "Cold" depending on the engine temperature.

Add VW-approved power steering fluid if the fluid level is below the low-level mark. Add fluid very slowly to avoid overfilling the reservoir canister, and drain excess fluid if necessary by detaching the hose at the base of the reservoir.

Inspect the entire power-steering system when you add fluid to check for broken, worn or loose parts that may result in a leak. Replace any faulty parts immediately, as hot fluid leaking into the engine will result in severe damage.

 How to Maintain Power-Steering Fluid Levels in a Chevy Silverado

Park your Chevy Silverado on a level surface and turn the car off before checking power steering fluid levels. Fluid levels can be artificially altered by an uneven surface and cause a misread. Allow warm engines to cool before checking fluid levels.

Look for the power-steering fluid reservoir and pump on either side of the engine. Minor differences may exist in the reservoir location for 1500, 2500 and 3500 models, but the reservoir should be clearly labeled.

Remove the cap from the reservoir and check the power steering fluid level to make sure that it is above the low level mark but not above the maximum fluid level. Add GM-approved power steering fluid as necessary.

Check for leaks in the surrounding connectors and hoses leading to and from the reservoir, visible as cracks, breaks or wet areas. If you are driving a 2005 Silverado, components of your power steering system may have been recalled, so notify your dealership immediately if you notice a leak or are having problems with the power steering.

Search for leaks underneath the engine and in harder to see places. If you suspect a leak but cannot find one, be aware that leaks may be occurring in the hydroboost system and you may need to bring the vehicle in for repair.

 How to Maintain Power-Steering Fluid Levels in a Dodge Ram

Check the Ram's power steering fluid levels, along with other fluids such as the coolant and brake and transmission fluids every month if you are driving a Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 or 3500 truck or once every 7,500 miles if you're driving a 1500, 2500 or 3500 van.

Park your Dodge Ram on a level surface and allow the engine to cool before checking any fluid levels as uneven surfaces or hot temperatures can cause inaccurate fluid level readings.

Locate the steering fluid reservoir in the engine department where it is labeled accordingly. Remove the reservoir cap to check that the power steering fluid level is above the low level mark, but does not exceed the maximum level.

Add approved power steering fluid, if necessary. If you find yourself adding fluid often, check the reservoir itself and the surrounding hoses and clamps to make sure that no parts have become worn, corroded or loose and replace parts as needed.

 How to Maintain Power-Steering Fluid Levels in a GMC Sierra

Check your power steering fluid when you check the other fluid levels in your car, like brake fluid, transmission fluid and coolant, which should be at least every 30,000 miles in a Sierra 1500 or every 50,000 miles in a Sierra 2500.

Check your power steering fluid level sooner if you notice fluid leaking from under the hood, or if you start to have trouble with the steering system or hear noise coming from the steering system, which may be a result of low fluid levels. If you have to add fluid before 50,000 miles, inspect closely for leaks.

Park your Sierra truck on a level surface and wait for the engine to cool before checking fluid levels. Be aware that an inclined surface or hot fluids can change the fluid level reading.

Locate the power steering fluid reservoir next to the engine, where it should be prominently labeled. Read the fluid level using the markings on the side of the reservoir, and remove cap and add fluid if necessary. Take care not to fill above the maximum fluid level mark.

Inspect all hoses and connectors when checking fluid levels to catch any worn out parts before a leak begins. Also inspect the entire system anytime you have to add fluid to make sure there is not a leak.

 How to Maintain Power-Steering Fluid Levels in a VW Passat

Check the power-steering fluid level every 15,000 miles, at the same time that you do other fluid level checks in your VW Passat. You can check the fluid level sooner if you suspect a leak, or if you experience trouble with the power-steering system.

Make sure that your vehicle is parked on a level surface before you check fluid levels, and take note of whether the engine is hot or cold since hot and cold fluids will read at different levels.

Locate the power-steering fluid reservoir in the engine compartment of your VW Passat. The power-steering fluid reservoir should be on top of the power steering pump and labeled on the cap.

Remove the cap and check the power-steering fluid level for either the "hot" or "cold" low-level mark depending on the engine temperature. If you need to add fluid, add the fluid cautiously to avoid filling the reservoir above the maximum level.

Check the rest of the power-steering system for parts that have become lose, worn or broken and replace any leaking parts immediately. Hot fluid leaking into the engine will cause severe damage to your vehicle and may result in personal injury while driving.