power steering fluid change?
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: New York
power steering fluid change?
I have always been pretty thorough with changing fluids on the car: oil, brake fluid every 3 years or so, differential around 60k, trans around 90k, coolant when the water pump died (sad) so not more than 5 years old after the initial 10 year sealed period.
Exception: power steering fluid. Just never felt the need, but that could be a mistake. Is it safe to do now (2005 with 140k miles)? Any harm in gumming things up, or is there no need at all? I am thinking it is a wise idea as no fluids last forever (right?), but wanted people's thoughts/experiences on changing it now in a not-young car. Also a fair price? (Or is this a no-brainer with a turkey baster DIY? Not normally my style). I generally have dealer do these kinds of things and I know they will cost more...
Exception: power steering fluid. Just never felt the need, but that could be a mistake. Is it safe to do now (2005 with 140k miles)? Any harm in gumming things up, or is there no need at all? I am thinking it is a wise idea as no fluids last forever (right?), but wanted people's thoughts/experiences on changing it now in a not-young car. Also a fair price? (Or is this a no-brainer with a turkey baster DIY? Not normally my style). I generally have dealer do these kinds of things and I know they will cost more...
Last edited by demark1; Oct 22, 2020 at 09:37 AM. Reason: typo
CL Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,721
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From: 565 St Peter NOLA
I have always been pretty thorough with changing fluids on the car: oil, brake fluid every 3 years or so, differential around 60k, trans around 90k, coolant when the water pump died (sad) so not more than 5 years old after the initial 10 year sealed period.
Exception: power steering fluid. Just never felt the need, but that could be a mistake. Is it safe to do now (2005 with 140k miles)? Any harm in gumming things up, or is there no need at all? I am thinking it is a wise idea as no fluids last forever (right?), but wanted people's thoughts/experiences on changing it now in a not-young car. Also a fair price? (Or is this a no-brainer with a turkey baster DIY? Not normally my style). I generally have dealer do these kinds of things and I know they will cost more...
Exception: power steering fluid. Just never felt the need, but that could be a mistake. Is it safe to do now (2005 with 140k miles)? Any harm in gumming things up, or is there no need at all? I am thinking it is a wise idea as no fluids last forever (right?), but wanted people's thoughts/experiences on changing it now in a not-young car. Also a fair price? (Or is this a no-brainer with a turkey baster DIY? Not normally my style). I generally have dealer do these kinds of things and I know they will cost more...
Yes, change it, the only harm potentially is by not changing it...
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 203
Likes: 33
From: Texas
Agree with all comments; use a synthetic ATF and continue to “turkey baster” it out every week and refill until both the reservoir and fluid is clean. After a couple of months and 2-3 quarts then you can go to a more normal maintenance schedule. I use a vacuum pump but a .99c baster is easier. It gets 80% of what’s in the reservoir and doesn’t require 15-minutes to clean. Pop the baster in the dishwasher(after wiping fluid off) and go.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: DFW, TX
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: CALIFORNIA
I actually didn't know that it uses ATF and not conventional PS fluid. I have a couple bottles of PS sitting on my work bench with intentions on doing the turkey baster to slowly replace the fluid. I've been lazy about it and haven't done it yet. Sounds like for once it was a good thing to procrastinate. Thanks for the heads up.
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