5 Symptoms of Low Power Steering Fluid in Your Car
Your ability to steer your car depends on power steering. Power steering systems have changed a lot in the last 5-10 years. In fact, there are two types of power steering systems in use today: electric and hydraulic.
Most new cars sold in the U.S. today use electric power steering, where an electric motor generates the energy for steering. However, most vehicles on the road still use hydraulic power steering systems. The Importance of Power Steering
Without power steering, the driver would not have the strength to turn the steering wheel fast enough to make simple turns, as is the case with cars that have power steering. Basically, it would be tiring to steer the car because you would not receive any assistance.
Yes, before power steering became standard equipment, it was possible to drive a car without power steering. However, the steering systems were much less complicated, and the average weight of cars was lighter than modern cars. This meant that less force was needed to turn the steering wheel. Power steering provides the energy needed for the steering mechanism to respond smoothly after turning the steering wheel. The heart of the system is the power steering pump, which requires hydraulic oil (also known as power steering fluid) to operate.
Just as the right amount of motor oil is important for your engine, sufficient power steering fluid is important for steering. Usually, the only reason the power steering fluid level in your system will be low is because of a power steering fluid leak.
The 5 Most Common Symptoms of Low Power Steering Fluid
Hydraulic power steering systems use fluid to transfer energy to the steering mechanism. Too little power steering fluid puts your ability to steer at risk.
To help you understand the full range of symptoms you may experience when your power steering fluid is low, here are the 5 most common symptoms:
1) Steering problems
The main symptom of low power steering fluid is, of course, steering problems. You’ll notice that your steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to turn.
If this problem persists for too long, it can become nearly impossible to drive your car properly, which could lead to an accident. 2) Loud turning noises
The power steering system uses a pump to apply pressure to the steering mechanism. To achieve smooth steering, the pump needs to circulate the fluid. However, if there is too much air in the pump and too little fluid, you will hear strange noises when turning the steering wheel.
All you need to do is fill the fluid reservoir with more power steering fluid, and you should notice that these noises will disappear immediately. Of course, if the noises persist, there may be other issues present, such as: B. A defective power steering pump. 3) Jerky steering wheel
When you try to turn the steering wheel, the steering wheel jumps or feels very jerky or uneven. For example, when you turn the steering wheel to the right, the steering wheel may jerk to the left and then back to the right.
You will notice this happening more often when you are driving slowly down the road or when you are pulling into a parking space. This is often caused by having too little servo fluid.
Don’t continue with this problem as the jerking will only get worse. Doing so could cause you to be pulled in one direction when trying to turn in another, leading to an accident.
4) Leaking Fluid
If power steering fluid is leaking under your vehicle, it’s a clear sign that you’re low on power steering fluid. Just look under your car and see if there’s a puddle of fluid.
Of course, this fluid could be something other than power steering fluid, such as oil, transmission fluid, coolant, windshield washer fluid, etc. However, if the fluid is a reddish color, it’s more likely that you have a power steering fluid leak. 5) Steering wheel lock
In addition to steering wheel twitching and difficulty turning, insufficient power steering fluid can cause the steering wheel to lock up completely. You may have been driving smoothly, but then you notice that the steering wheel won’t turn at all.
This is the extreme case where virtually all of the power steering fluid is gone. The previous four symptoms should be present before this symptom occurs, so hopefully you won’t get to that point.
