How To Check And Add Power Steering Fluid: 6 Steps (with Pictures)

Home » Where Is The Power Steering Reservoir Located » How To Check And Add Power Steering Fluid: 6 Steps (with Pictures)

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Check and Add Power Steering Fluid PDF download Download Article Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections VideoWATCH NOW Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Jason Shackelford

Last Updated: December 17, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,244,643 times.

Most cars except some electric and hybrid vehicles have a hydraulic power-steering system that enables the driver to turn the steering wheel without a great deal of effort. The power-steering system consists of several items: a rack and pinion connected to the front wheels; a piston inside the rack and pinion, which is moved by pressurized fluid from the power-steering pump that helps to turn the wheels; and a cylinder containing fluid mounted on the pump or remotely mounted for easier access. (If there isn't enough fluid, steering becomes more difficult and either the pump or rack and pinion could be damaged without fluid to cushion them.) Therefore, it's important to check power-steering fluid levels on a regular basis and add fluid when necessary.

Steps

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Check and Add Power Steering Fluid 1 Look for the reservoir cylinder. If you're having difficulty turning the steering wheel or a high-pitched whining noise issues from the steering wheel when you turn it, chances are your power-steering fluid is low. The power-steering fluid can be found in a cylindrical reservoir near the power steering pump or remotely located with hoses from the pump, and should be clearly labeled. The cylinder may be made of either plastic or metal.
    • If you can't find the cylinder, consult your owner's manual for the location. While the power-steering reservoir is usually located in the same space in most cars, newer vehicles may place them elsewhere for economy or space.
    • If the steering wheel is locked, you can check the key. It may wear out.
    • Check the tumbler, it wears out with regular usage.
    • Also check that the neutral safety switch or the shift linkage is in the proper position.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Check and Add Power Steering Fluid 2 Check the level of the power-steering fluid. If the reservoir cylinder is made of translucent plastic, you may be able to see the fluid level inside the cylinder. If the reservoir cylinder is made of metal, or if the plastic is not sufficiently transparent, you'll check the fluid level with a dipstick, which is usually attached to the cap.[1]
    • On some cars, the power-steering fluid level can only be checked accurately after the engine has run for a brief period, and sometimes you must also turn the steering wheel in either direction several times while the car idles.
    • On other cars, there are gradations on the dipstick or cylinder for both a "hot" level, after the engine has been running, and a "cold" level, after the engine has been off for a period of time. On still other cars, there may be "Min" and "Max" lines for acceptable fluid levels. Be sure to compare the power-steering fluid level against the correct mark.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Check and Add Power Steering Fluid 3 Examine how much of the dipstick is covered by power-steering fluid. If you are using a dipstick to test the power-steering fluid level, first wipe off any excess fluid from the dipstick when you first take it out of the cylinder, then reinsert it as far down as it will go and pull it out again.[2]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Check and Add Power Steering Fluid 4 Examine the color of the power-steering fluid. Good power-steering fluid should be clear, amber or pinkish in color.
    • If the power-steering fluid is brown or black, it has been contaminated with bits of rubber from connecting hoses, seals or O-rings. In this case, the car should be taken to a mechanic to see if any of the power-steering system parts need to be replaced, along with the fluid.
    • The power-steering fluid may look darker than it actually is. If you have any doubts, look at the color of the power-steering fluid stain on the rag or paper towel you wiped your dipstick off with. If the stain is the color the fluid is supposed to be, your fluid is not contaminated.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Check and Add Power Steering Fluid 5 Add power-steering fluid as needed to the correct fill level. If your car has gradations on the cylinder, you can add the fluid steadily until you reach the correct "hot" or "cold" fill level; if you checked the level with a dipstick, add the fluid incrementally to avoid overfilling the reservoir.
    • Be sure to use only the power-steering fluid that is recommended for your car, as it will be the correct viscosity (thickness) for your car's power-steering system.
    • The manufacture does not recommend using transmission fluid in place of power steering fluid. There are too many different types of fluid, and if the wrong fluid is used, it may cause failure of power steering and its seals.
    • Be careful not to overfill your power-steering unit with fluid. It's probably better to under fill your unit than overfill it. That's because power-steering fluid expands as it heats up and works its magic. If you fill your unit all the way to the top and then try to drive your car, the expanded pressure could begin to cause problems and might necessitate expensive repairs.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Check and Add Power Steering Fluid 6 Replace the cylinder cap. Depending on the make of car, you may have to push or screw the cap into place. Be sure it's firmly attached before you close the hood.
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Video

Tips

  • Power-steering fluid should be checked at regular intervals or if it gets contaminated. If you notice a significant drop in the cylinder level, or have to add fluid frequently, you may have a leak somewhere in the power-steering system. If you hear a noise when you turn the steering wheel, it means the power-steering pump is starving for fluid.[3] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings

  • Not all cars take "generic" power steering fluid; search online or your owner's manual for the specifications on the proper fluid for your car. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 4
  • Power-steering fluid should also be replaced at the intervals called for in the car's owner's manual. Heat from the engine and surrounding environment will, over time, reduce the fluid's ability to do its job and cause wear and tear on the power-steering system components. Replacing the fluid is cheaper than having to replace either the power-steering pump or the rack and pinion.[4] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need

  • Rag or paper towel
  • Funnel
  • Power-steering fluid

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References

  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/XQwT8JzjEz8?t=30
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/XQwT8JzjEz8?t=40
  3. ↑ https://www.uti.edu/blog/automotive/power-steering-fluid
  4. ↑ https://www.uti.edu/blog/automotive/power-steering-fluid
  5. Rodney Ruff, Omaha, NE; personal experience in dealing with rack and pinion leak

About This Article

Jason Shackelford Co-authored by: Jason Shackelford Auto Technician This article was co-authored by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. This article has been viewed 1,244,643 times. 19 votes - 79% Co-authors: 15 Updated: December 17, 2025 Views: 1,244,643 Categories: Featured Articles | Vehicle Fuels and Fluids Article SummaryX

To check and add power steering fluid, start by locating the reservoir cylinder near the power steering pump. Then, if the cylinder is made out of clear plastic, check the level of the fluid to see if it's low. If the cylinder isn't transparent, remove the cap and examine the dipstick to see if it's low. Next, if your car needs more power steering fluid, pour some into the reservoir cylinder until it reaches the right fill level. Finally, place the cap back on the cylinder. For more tips from our Mechanic co-author, like how to check the color of your power steering fluid to see if it's contaminated, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Karen Gonsalves

    Karen Gonsalves

    Apr 29, 2017

    "This info will help me check the fluids in the car, taught me about not running the engine while I am doing it, how..." more Rated this article:
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Jason Shackelford Co-authored by: Jason Shackelford Auto Technician 19 votes - 79% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 15 Updated: December 17, 2025 Views: 1,244,643 Karen Gonsalves

Karen Gonsalves

Apr 29, 2017

"This info will help me check the fluids in the car, taught me about not running the engine while I am doing it, how..." more Rated this article: Linda Karshner

Linda Karshner

Mar 9, 2018

"I am a female senior citizen. Rather than look like the "dumb old lady," I decided to look up on wikiHow..." more Jacqueline Jones

Jacqueline Jones

Jun 6, 2016

"I am a girl who knows nothing about cars, but now I know how and when to change my power steering fluid, and to..." more Margaret Massey

Margaret Massey

Mar 11, 2017

"I'm a lady and I know not to have the car running when I add power steering fluid. Also, it heats up and..." more Sophia Khalid

Sophia Khalid

Nov 20, 2016

"The most helpful part was that all power steering fluid is the same and the engine should be off. I have a 1993..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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