Power steering fluid is an often overlooked part of a smooth drive. Without the right kind of steering fluid (or no power steering fluid), steering the vehicle can become very uncomfortable, dangerous, or even impossible. When your steering fluid becomes low, your vehicle will begin to show certain symptoms. Today we're here to cover what to look for and how you can remedy the situation.
Smooth Steering Makes For A Better Drive
Remember that letting your power steering fluid to run on low not only affects steering performance but it can also damage other important components of the vehicle. When you start to notice the following signs, it's time to replace and/or add more steering fluid via a certified mechanic who can officially diagnose the situation and take care of it for you.
Signs of Low Power Steering Fluid
When your power steering fluid is low, your steering wheel isn't going to feel quite right. It might show one or more of the following signs. Remember, it's trying to tell you something! Listen to it.
- Difficulty turning the wheel: There can be more than one reason for this symptom, but the bulk of the time, it's going to be low power steering fluid. If your wheel feels "hard" and tough to turn, you might need power steering fluid.
- Loud steering: Steering shouldn't make sounds. The minute you notice that your steering wheel is making loud noises, it's time to check the power steering wheel fluid level in your vehicle. Chances are you're going to need more power steering fluid.
- Shrill steering: Once again, this is a sound that no one wants to hear. If it sounds like your steering wheel is screeching, then it's time to have a mechanic check your power steering fluid levels. Remember that the noise doesn't always come from the steering wheel itself, but it can come from under the hood as well.
- Stains under vehicle: This symptom can come from a variety of problems, but sometimes a stain under your vehicle means that you have a power steering fluid problem. Other fluids might be leaking from the car, so you'll need to check with a certified mechanic to verify that it's your power steering fluid that's the problem and not some other sort of leak.
Contact Us For More Information
As you can see, power steering fluid is an important part of a safe and pleasant drive. When the wheel is hard to turn and noisy, it's not only going to be annoying but it also might be plain old dangerous to drive your vehicle, especially if the power steering fluid continues to run out and eventually prevents you from steering altogether. You're the captain of the ship. The steering wheel is your captain's ship, and if it's making noises or difficult to turn, the ship isn't going to be safe to drive. Get your power steering fluid checked as your earliest convenience.
Our certified mechanics will check your power steering fluid levels and determine the true source of your problem. If you have any further questions about power steering or any other auto issue, just give us a call or stop by today.
