Power Steering Guide: Everything You Need to Know

By Chris Hardesty 08/17/2023 1:35pm

Quick Facts About Power Steering

• A power steering system reduces how much effort a driver needs to turn a car’s steering wheel.
• A whining sound under the hood might signal that the car is low on power steering fluid or needs changing.
• Power steering fluid typically lasts five years or 50,000 miles, and you should follow the owner’s manual guidance for flushing the steering system.

Before automakers introduced power steering in the 1950s, drivers needed to work harder with their steering wheels to keep their vehicles straight or make turns. The simple steering mechanisms of more than a half-century ago have since been replaced with more intricate steering systems for maneuvering vehicles with less effort.

Power steering is integral to safe and efficient driving. Maintaining your power steering system by checking fluids regularly and watching for leaks can help ensure your car functions as smoothly as possible.

Read on to learn how power steering works, how to identify problems, and what you can do to keep your power steering operating correctly.

What Is Power Steering?

Power steering is an automotive system that uses a separate motor or engine power to reduce the effort necessary to turn the steering wheel that moves the front wheels. The assistance helps drivers steer the car and makes it easier to maneuver at lower speeds. It is a welcome feature when turning a corner at slow speeds or parking.

There are three types of power steering in modern vehicles.

1. Hydraulic
2. Electric
3. Hybrid electro-hydraulic

All three power steering systems perform the same function but use different methods. Each variety adds more energy to assist in steering a vehicle, allowing the driver to use less muscle to turn the steering wheel.

Why Cars Need Power Steering

Power steering systems assist drivers by reducing the physical exertion needed to turn the steering wheel. Initial development happened in the early 1900s, and the technology for power steering entered the mainstream in the 1950s. Power steering is a convenience feature at its core, even though it’s standard on every mass-production model today because of customer demand.

Hydraulic Power Steering

For more than 50 years, hydraulic assistance was the prevailing type of power steering. The system consists primarily of a hydraulic pump assembly that allows power steering fluid to exert force on the vehicle’s steering assembly and turn the tires.

The belt-driven pump draws power from pulleys rotated by the engine to do its work. One drawback to the system is the amount of wasted energy. The pump runs constantly, even when the car doesn’t need steering assistance while moving on a straight stretch of road.

Power Steering Fluid

Power steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid that transmits the power in a power steering system. The pressurized fluid decreases the effort required to turn the steering wheel. It also keeps the moving parts in the system lubricated and ensures the hoses, pistons, valves, and power steering pump work as intended.

Types of Power Steering Fluid

Refer to your owner’s manual to learn which type of power steering fluid to use in your car.

• Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). The same fluid used for automatic transmissions can be used in some power steering systems.
• Synthetic power steering fluid. Most newer vehicles use synthetic fluid that is created in a lab. These varieties are usually engineered for specific types of cars or steering systems.
• Non-synthetic, mineral power steering fluid. Mineral hydraulic fluid may be used in some instances that accept ATF.

Tip: Choosing an incompatible fluid can damage the power steering system. Be sure to select a replacement steering fluid appropriate for your vehicle.

How to Check Power Steering Fluid

If you hear a whining sound coming from under your hood when you make a turn, or it’s becoming harder to turn the steering wheel, your car might be running low on power steering fluid.

Check your car’s power steering fluid in a few simple steps. First, warm the engine to a normal operating temperature. Get the fluid up to temperature by turning the steering wheel in one direction until it stops. Then crank it all the way in the opposite direction. Repeat this back-and-forth process several times. Follow the below steps next.

1. Turn off the engine.
2. Locate the power steering fluid reservoir (typically yellow or white with a black cap) under the hood. Wipe it and the cap clean with a cloth.
3. Check the fluid level by viewing the dipstick attached to the cap. Remove, wipe clean, and reinsert the dipstick.
4. Remove the dipstick again and observe where the level reaches. If it is below the MIN line, add new fluid not exceeding the MAX line.
5. Examine the quality of the fluid. Suitable fluid will have a clear appearance and not show any debris. Contaminated fluid will appear dark, cloudy, or foamy.

RELATED: Car Maintenance Guide: Everything You Need to Know

When to Change Power Steering Fluid

In general, power steering fluid needs changing every five years or 50,000 miles. Always follow the guidelines in the owner’s manual, which may indicate a different schedule. Changing the fluid or flushing the steering system can help prolong the life of other steering components that cost much more to replace.

In addition to scheduled maintenance, replace the power steering fluid if it appears dark or if any dirt, debris, sludge, or other contaminants are visible. Uncontaminated fluid will have some color and appear clean.

Power Steering Fluid Color

Good power steering fluid is relatively clear and has a red, pink, or amber color. Power steering fluid that is dark brown, black, or foamy is contaminated. Replace the fluid or flush the steering system as needed. According to Kelley Blue Book data, a power steering fluid flush typically costs less than $200 at a dealership.

Power Steering Fluid Standards

Power steering fluid meets requirements for viscosity, detergents, additives, and other components. Meeting these standards ensures the power steering fluid is safe to use in specific vehicles. Because requirements vary among car makes and models, always use the fluid recommended in your owner’s manual.

Power Steering Pump

At the heart of an automobile’s power steering system is the pump. A power steering pump is a straightforward machine that pushes hydraulic fluid where needed. Your car’s speed dictates the amount of flow coming from the pump.

A rotary valve detects the force controlling the steering wheel’s movement, so the system knows when to assist you. When the steering wheel isn’t turning, both hydraulic lines have equal pressure on the right and the left sides. When the spool valve turns, ports on the appropriate line open to provide higher pressure and assist in turning the wheel.

Signs of a Bad Power Steering Pump

A failing power steering pump may give you clues about its condition:

• Low fluid level in the reservoir
• Puddles or stains in the garage or on the driveway
• Moaning, squealing, or whining noise when you turn the steering wheel
• Increased resistance when turning the wheel
• Erratic response to turns

How Much is a Power Steering Pump?

Kelley Blue Book data shows you can expect to pay about $900 to have a new power steering pump installed at a dealership.

Engine Belt

A belt runs from the car’s engine to make the pump operate by turning its pulley. Some vehicles have a serpentine belt that snakes through multiple engine pulleys. Other models have single belts connected to individual pulleys. If any belt becomes glazed, frayed, or breaks, it will cause the system to malfunction.

Problems with Engine Belt

A common problem with power steering is having the pump’s belt slipping. An indication of a slipping belt is the telltale squealing sound when the steering wheel rotates to make a sharp turn.

MORE: How Do I Know If My Spark Plugs Need Replacing?

Power Steering Hoses

For assisted steering to function efficiently, hoses transporting hydraulic fluid in the system must be clog-free and have no leaks.

Signs of Bad Hoses

A burst in the hose line will cause the hydraulic fluid to leak, making it harder to turn the steering wheel. Inspect the hoses and other system components regularly. Hoses can deteriorate after years of use or become cracked and dry. Look for cracks and wear. Lightly squeeze the hoses to locate weak areas that feel soft or spongy.

Electric Power Steering

Electric power steering (EPS) has become the norm for new vehicles. Instead of using a hydraulic pump to send fluid to the steering gear, the gear connects to an electric motor and a control module.

The control module collects data from sensors. It determines how much assistive torque the motor will apply by calculating vehicle speed, turning speed, and the steering wheel’s position. The amount of current used by the motor on the steering gear or steering column affects the assistance from the power steering system.

Benefits of Electric Power Steering

These electrical systems allow for lighter, quieter, and more effective power steering operation. They have fewer parts than hydraulic systems, require less maintenance, and eliminate dealing with hydraulic fluid. EPS systems draw less power from the engine, which slightly improves fuel economy. Removing a drive pulley and belt from the engine reduces wear and tear.

Another benefit is that driver-assist features that use wheel adjustment without driver manipulation are enabled by EPS. Lane-keep assist, lane changes, and automated parking are functions that rely on a car’s electric power steering system.

According to some driving enthusiasts, one disadvantage of EPS is the lack of tactile feedback when steering. They say the system makes it difficult to “feel the road” or sense when tires slip because of road conditions. For the average driver in ordinary situations, this type of sensitivity is not an issue.

Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering

Electro-hydraulic power steering is a hybrid system. EHPS provides the smooth feel of a conventional hydraulic power steering assist. However, it uses electricity to create pressure instead of drawing power from the vehicle’s engine. This system also improves fuel economy since the electric-powered pump only operates when a steering assist is needed.

These days, the market for electro-hydraulic power steering is primarily heavy commercial vehicles. EHPS can be found on some used cars from several makers.