How To Check The Power Steering Fluid Of Your Pickup Truck

By Author: Steve Smart
Total Articles: 19
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Owning a pickup truck is the dream of every business and farm owner. Not only are they spacious, but also economical. There are many brands of pickup trucks available. So, it is up to one to choose the one that best suits them. Purchasing it is not a hassle. You only need to have enough funding and you are good to go. However, it is the maintenance that troubles most people. One of the simple things that many drivers are ignorant of is how to check the power steering fluid.

The steering wheel is one of the most important parts of any vehicle. It is what enables the driver to control the vehicle on the road. So, it is crucial that the wheel operates perfectly. Failure to this might lead to far reaching catastrophic consequences, such as accidents that might cause the loss of lives or severe injuries.

Just like any other part of the vehicle, the steering wheel is prone to damage, especially after long distant drives. Since it is a moving part, it is possible for the wheel to experience wear and tear. However, this can be avoided by using lubrication. So, a special fluid is use to lubricate the moving parts.

With ...
... constant movement, the fluid gets used up. This is because a lot of heat is generated between the moving parts, hence evaporating it. That is why it is important for a truck owner to know how to check and change it, at any given time.

Fluid checks are usually recommended after every five years or 100,000 miles. However, you do not need to wait for this time to check its level or change it. You should take actions as soon as you start hearing whining noises when turning the wheel, when there are leaks or when the level has gone down on the indicator.

When any of the above mentioned things happens, it is advisable that you change the oil as soon as possible. Failure to do this can lead to wear and tear of the O-rings and other components making the oil impure. This in turn makes the power steering pump work harder than normal, hence leading to breakdown.

Repairing or replacing this system is not easy. Moreover, it cost a lot of money. That is why it is important to ensure that it is always in the right condition.

Replacing the fluid also helps reduce the number of accidents. This is because, when the levels are low or when there is debris, the friction between the moving parts is increased. Due to this, the wheel could lock while you are driving, preventing you from controlling the vehicle, hence causing an accident.

Checking the fluid is not a difficult process. It involves a few easy steps that can be performed by any car owner. Here are some guidelines on how to do so.

First you need to ensure that the vehicle is cold or at operating temperature. So you can drive the vehicle for about 20 minutes so as to ensure that is reaches the required hot temperature. If you prefer to check when the car is cold, then you need to ensure that the vehicle has been off for 5 hours. This will ensure that you get a correct reading.

Open the hood and look for the location of the power steering fluid reservoir. In most trucks it is cylindrical and made of clear plastic. It also has a round cap that is marked power steering. The location will vary depending on the brand and make of truck, but most of the time it is located on the side of the driver.

Once you have located it, clean its outside with a clean rag. This will enable you to read the level better. If you drive mostly off-road the cylinder might be covered in mud, so you need to use a moist or wet rag in that case. Check where the level is. It should be on the Hot or Cold marks depending on the state of the car. If it does not reach those marks, then you need to add the fluid.

To do this, turn the cap anticlockwise so as to open it. Add the fluid until the required level is reached. It varies, so you should check from the manual of the vehicle to ensure you use the right one. When it reaches the right level, replace the cap. That is how to change and check the power steering fluid of your pickup truck.
Resource: http://www.autowerksofamerica.com/