Refilling Your Power Steering Reservoir: Get It Right From the Word Go
There are two types of power steering, the hydraulic and electric ones. An electric power steering relies on powered motors to evoke and facilitate the control of the car. On the hand, a hydraulic power steering with a full set of hydraulic equipment such as hoses, valves, pistons and hydraulic fluid. The power is transferred throughout the hydraulic system to make things easy for the driver by enhancing the handling of the car. For a hydraulic power steering to do this, the hydraulic fluid must be at the right level. The following tips will help you get it right when refilling your power steering wheel's reservoir:
Cleanliness is Key
The first thing you must is to ensure that the areas around the reservoir, particularly the inlet, is free of any dirt and grime. Any particles that find their way into the reservoir will certainly end up in the hoses and lead to severe damage. They can block the system and lead to failure of the steering system or cause overheating after prolonged use of the steering wheel. Therefore, you should wipe the area using a clean, dry rag before you introduce the fluid into the reservoir.
You Need a Funnel
Some car models have small reservoir inlets. They make it hard to introduce the power steering fluid by free hand, making it easy to leave a mess behind once you are done refilling. On that note, you should not neglect a funnel. It will help you guide all the fluid you into the reservoir without leaving a mess on the garage floor or other parts of the vehicle.
Check the Fluid Level
The reservoir has markings indicating two desired levels of power steering fluid. They are the minimum and maximum level markings that the fluid should reach at any given time. As you refill the reservoir keep an eye on the maximum level marking so that you do not surpass the desired level excessively. After reaching the desired level, use the starter to activate the steering so that you can turn it from side to side. This will help in circulating the hydraulic fluid through the system for proper distribution. Check the fluid level after this and add more to the reservoir if the levels have gone down.
Check for Leaks
Refilling the power steering reservoir is a perfect opportunity to detect the system for leaks. A sudden drop in the fluid level immediately after refilling is an indicator that your system has to be repaired accordingly.