Power steering is a must-have for most drivers. It’s a convenience that not only makes driving easier and safer, but it also makes parking easier and less stressful. But how do you know if your power steering is working properly? A few telltale signs are if you find yourself constantly turning the steering wheel back and forth to get a sense of where the curb or edge of the road is, if you find yourself struggling to pull into a parking spot, or if you just have a hard time turning the wheel at all.
Luckily, power steering is standard on most cars, so you’re probably not suffering from a bad case of power steering if you’re driving a new car. But if you have an older car, or if you have recently installed a bigger engine, your power steering could be on its last legs.
If you’re shopping for a new car, one of the first things to do is to test out the power steering. Here are some more signs that it might be time to replace your power steering fluid.
Here’s what you need to know about power steering fluids
Our Editor’s Best Power Steering Fluids Reviews
- Keeps power-steering systems running smoothly and helps stop or reduce fluid loss caused by leaky seals
- Formulated with high-quality oil and fortified with additives to revitalize dried, shrunken, and hardened seals
- Developed for use in GM, Ford, Chrysler, and most foreign cars and light trucks
- Anti-wear agents protect pump components
- Corrosion inhibitors to protect metal components
- High quality power steering fluid and conditioner
- Stops Noise
- Stops slipping
- Helps prevent unusual wear
- Protects seals
- For 2007 and up Honda and Acura vehicles, Backwards compatible with older Honda and Acura vehicles
- Lubricates and reduces wear in the pump, Prevents rust of the steel parts
- Lubricates and fights wear on the gear faces of the turning mechanism (eg. Rack and pinion)
- Protects and cleans the seals and hoses
- Contains no seal swellers
- REDUCES NOISE AND SMOOTHES OUT HARD STEERING: A unique dual cavity bottle containing a combination of the best performance additives to repair the most common power steering fluid related problems.
- STOPS LEAKS AND RECONDITIONS RACK & PINION: Power Steering Repair can be used to top-off the existing fluid when low, or add a bottle when changing fluid.
- RESTORES PREFORMANCE: Works on all vehicles, domestic and import.
- ADDS PROTECTION: Compatible with ALL types of power steering fluid or ATF, including petroleum, mineral oil and synthetic formulas.
- REPAIR-IT: Power Steering Repair-It works with all types of power steering fluid or ATF
- Premium full-synthetic formulation specifically engineered for Asian vehicles
- Provides protection against wear, foaming, and corrosion to maintain optimal performance
- Designed for extreme temperatures while also providing excellent operation in low temperatures
- Delivers excellent oxidative stability for extended fluid life
- Engineered for Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus, and all other Asian-manufactured vehicles
- The service solution for ALL European, North American, and Asian vehicles (Honda fluid recommended for Honda/Acura vehicles)
- Reduces friction and protects seals and hoses - extending the life of the power steering system
- Provides excellent cold and high temperature performance eliminating "morning sickness" stiffness
- Excellent for use in electric hydraulic systems
- Cleans and frees sticky turbines and pumps
- For best performance, follow the manufacturer's recommendations in your vehicle owner’s manual.
- Foam inhibitors help extend fluid life
- Seals and helps prevent small leaks
- Adds lubricity to help stop wear and improve performance
- ALL ASIAN CAR COVERAGE: Fits ALL ASIAN CARS; designed to be fully compatible with Subaru, Honda, Toyota, Acura, Lexus, Mitsubishi, and Mazda power steering and vehicle hydraulic systems
- TOP TIER QUALITY: OUTPERFORMS Original Factory OEM fluids; longer life, more responsive steering, better thermal stability, more leak protection, and superior temperature range for all-season flawless operation
- FULL SYNTHETIC: Much longer fluid life than conventional fluids, better high temperature and low temperature steering performance; -50°F low temp performance
- SMOOTH & RESPONSIVE STEERING: Ensures optimal servo pump and sensor operation to provide the best possible steering quality for many miles
- FILL FOR LIFE: This fluid is rated for 250,000miles in sealed power steering systems, effectively for the life of the vehicle
- Superior quality, universal hydraulic fluid designed to mix with all hydraulic fluids in power trim and steering systems
- Protects seals and hoses, and prevent foaming, oxidation and corrosion
- Prevents foaming
- Recommended for all outboard and sterndrive applications except electric power steering systems
- Helps protect the power steering system for long service life
- Designed to help reduce the effort needed by the driver to turn the vehicle
- Helps transfer power with hydraulic fluids
- Intended to keep power steering system running quietly and efficiently
- Specially formulated for extreme cold temperature vehicle operation
Best Power Steering Fluids Buying Guide
1. Low RVP: The low RVP of synthetic power steering fluid maintains the proper pressure of the pump and improves the performance of the pump.
2. Protection: Synthetic power steering fluid protects the pump from corrosion and wear. It also lubricates and protects the suspension components.
3. Smooth Ride: Adding synthetic power steering fluid improves the smoothness of the ride by reducing the vibrations.
4. Better Handling: Synthetic power steering fluid offers improved handling in wet and extreme conditions.
5. Longer Life: The lubricating additives of a synthetic power steering fluid improve the life of the pump and reduce the friction.
6. Less Noise: Synthetic power steering fluid reduces the noise of the pump.
7. Better Temperature Resistance: Synthetic power steering fluid offers good resistance to high and low temperatures.
8. Better Wet Weather Handling: Synthetic power steering fluid offers good wet weather handling.
9. Less Dusting: Synthetic power steering fluid does not produce much dust.
10. Better Cleaning: Synthetic power steering fluid offers quick cleaning of the pump.
11. Better Durability: Synthetic power steering fluid offers better durability.
12. Better Aeration: Synthetic power steering fluid offers better aeration.
13. Lower Friction: Synthetic power steering fluid offers lower friction.
14. Better Compatibility: Synthetic power steering fluid is compatible with the original equipment.
15. Lower Evaporative Loss: Synthetic power steering fluid offers lower evaporation loss.
16. Less Maintenance: Less maintenance is required with synthetic power steering fluid.
What else you should know about power steering fluids
1. What are power steering fluids?
Power steering fluids are fluids used to assist in the steering of a vehicle. The fluid is used to transfer the force from the steering wheel to the steering components.
2. What do power steering fluids do?
Power steering fluids are used to transfer power from the steering wheel to the wheels of the car. This allows the driver to steer the car without using as much force.
3. What are the benefits of using power steering fluids?
Some benefits of using power steering fluids are that they can help to extend the life of your power steering system, can help to improve steering feel, can provide better control and can offer protection against rust and corrosion.
4. How often should power steering fluids be changed?
The power steering fluid should be checked every time you get an oil change and should be flushed every 30,000 miles.
5. What are the consequences of not changing power steering fluids?
If you do not change your power steering fluid, the fluid will become old and will not work as well. This can cause your power steering to fail, and you may have to replace it.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best power steering fluids. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best power steering fluids will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.