Your car will tell you, with multiple signs, that it needs more power steering fluid. It’s a simple fix for your car and very low in cost as well. Make sure not to overlook this issue as it can cause damage to your car pump, which can an expensive car repair. Here are some signs that may be letting you know you need to add some power steering fluid into your car reservoir.
What is the power steering fluid?
First, you may be asking, “What is power steering fluid, and why is it so important?” This fluid is the hydraulic fluid that gives power to power steering. It’s what allows the driver to direct the vehicle without a lot of physical effort. The reason it’s so important to change out this fluid is that over time it gets contaminated, and the pump will have to work way harder than it needs to. New power steering fluid will work wonders for your car and keep you safe on the road.
-Difficulty turning your wheel.
This is an obvious sign that you need new power steering fluid right away! It can be dangerous to drive with a hard-to-turn steering wheel. When your fluid starts to get way too low, your wheel cannot turn properly because of the lack of juice giving energy to your wheel. Other reasons your wheel is not turning correctly could be due to a damaged belt or a possible leak. Get more power steering fluid right away from your local mechanic or auto parts store.
-Your wheel starts to jerk.
Does your power steering start to jerk or shake in your hands while driving? This could be because of low power steering fluid. Another sign of failing power steering is when your car shakes tremendously while idling. Make sure to get it looked at by a professional mechanic. They will be able to tell you if this is the reason for the jerking.
-Steering is NOISY.
No one likes a noisy car! It can become annoying and unpleasant after a lengthy amount of time on the road. A noisy steering experience can be due to your low power steering fluid as well. Most times, it sounds like a squealing or whining coming from your vehicle as you steer. You will also want to make sure you don’t have a power steering fluid leak anywhere.
What to do if your power steering stops while driving.
We hope this situation doesn’t ever happen to you, but we wanted to give you advice in case it ever does! The safest thing to do is to pull over right away if you are able to do so. You will most likely need to brake and then crank your wheel as hard as you can to get it to move significantly. Make sure to put your hazard lights on right away as you slow down, and try to get over to the side of the road safely. Then call someone you can trust to help you with your vehicle repair!
We hope this blog has informed you a little bit more about power steering fluid and how important it is to have it full. You can do a regular maintenance check of this at your local automotive repair shop with a trusted mechanic. Let the professionals do the work, let you know if it ever gets too low, and what to look for. We at Harris Automotive are here for you and your vehicle.
Visit or call us today to make an appointment or if you need a power steering fluid check for your vehicle. Our team of mechanics is happy to help you!