On many new car models, electric power steering systems have gradually replaced hydraulic power steering. However, for cars that still use hydraulic power steering, power steering oil is an important maintenance item but is often neglected by many car owners.
The user manual is one of the most accurate sources of information to determine the time to replace power steering oil. If you are not sure whether your car uses an electric or hydraulic power steering system, the car owner should check the information from the manufacturer or reliable technical sources.
One of the easiest signs to recognize that the system needs to be checked is that the steering wheel becomes heavier than normal or there is a whistle from the power steering pump when steering.
Over time, power steering oil can become oxidized, contaminated, and accumulate sediment. If you continue to use poor quality oil, parts such as power pumps, control valves, and pipes are at risk of abrasion or damage. The cost of repairing these parts is often much higher than the cost of periodic oil replacement.
Therefore, car owners should replace power steering oil about every 4 years or after every 80,000 km of operation. In addition, oil needs to be replaced early if signs such as discoloration, air bubbles, burning odor or mixed dirt appear.
Car owners can take the car to a service workshop to replace the entire system oil. This is an effective method to remove old oil but usually takes more time and costs.
In case you want to do it yourself, the car owner can pump out some of the old oil in the tank and then add new oil of the correct type as recommended by the manufacturer. This process needs to be repeated many times so that the new oil gradually replaces the old oil still circulating in the system.
The important thing is to use the correct type of oil specified by the manufacturer. Depending on the car model, power steering oil can be mineral oil, synthetic oil or automatic transmission oil.
Spending a small amount of money to replace power steering oil periodically is an effective way to protect the steering system. This is also a measure to help limit major damage, contributing to maintaining the stable and safe operation of the car for a long time.
