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Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

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Does Your Car Really Need a Power Steering Flush?

February 28, 2022 by Denver Express Car Care

Have you ever brought your car in for something simple – an oil change – and the mechanic approaches you with a list of potential parts and services it needs to run properly?

It can be confusing at best. 

Does your car need fluid flushes or full detailing to ensure an efficient ride? Or is this just a way for the mechanic to bring in extra money?

We get it. It seems as if every company is fighting for ways to add on sales, and bring in extra money. 

And flushes can be confusing. Let’s take a power steering flush as an example. You know your car uses power steering to make it easy to drive. You may have a general understanding of mechanics, knowing it takes power steering fluid to ensure movement as you go. How does the fluid get there? And will it wear down? How do you know?

Great questions! Let’s find out. 

Start with understanding the power steering system

Power steering is a system that uses engine power to control the front wheels effortlessly. It makes it easy to maneuver at lower speeds, making it easy to take tight corners, and turn into spaces like parking spots and enter garages. Without it, you’d need a lot more force to keep control over your vehicle, especially as you turn and move in different directions. 

Today’s vehicles use one of three power steering systems: hydraulic, electric, or hybrid electro-hydraulic. Each utilizes the same function, even if they approach it differently. 

 Does Your Car Really Need a Power Steering Flush?

The oldest – hydraulic power steering – has been assisting drivers for more than 50 years. It utilizes a hydraulic pump assembly that pushes transmission fluid into the steering assembly, which aids in controlling the tires. The pump draws power from the engine to perform its work. Because it remains operational while the vehicle is running, it exerts wasted energy while moving on a straight stretch of road. 

Hydraulic power steering relies on several different types of power steering fluid. 

  • Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
  • Synthetic power steering fluid – these are engineered for specific types of cars
  • Non-synthetic power steering fluid – mineral fluid that often is used in place of ATF

Like other fluid types, it’s important to know which your car accepts to reduce the chance of damage, and give your car what it was designed with. 

Electric power steering (EPS) is becoming the new norm for today’s vehicles. Instead of a hydraulic pump, the gear connects to an electric motor and a control module, which uses sensors to determine how much assistance is needed to the steering system while you drive. 

Electro-Hydraulic steering is a hybrid of the two. It provides the smooth feel of a hydraulic system, with the energy draw of the electric system. It improves fuel economy as the pump only operates when you need assistance. This is most common in heavy commercial vehicles, though some car manufacturers install them because of the benefits. 

My car uses power steering fluid – do I need a flush? 

If you use hydraulic power steering fluid, you may wish to speak with a mechanic about the benefits of having the steering pump flushed and filled with fresh fluid. It pays to know what your manufacturer suggests, as well as understand what your mechanic finds to make this suggestion. 

While it isn’t a common maintenance item, it isn’t something you can ignore. Paying attention to what’s happening under the hood can give you assurance everything is in good working condition. 

Power steering fluid is red, and is often similar in color to coolant (if your coolant is red.) It can turn a deeper shade over time. Color alone isn’t a sign that something is wrong. It takes further investigation. 

If you notice a leak, find out where it’s coming from. Over time, seals, o-rings, and other parts can deteriorate and result in a leak. Fluid underneath your car in conjunction with problems with your power steering could be an indicator it’s time for a power steering flush and repair work. 

Many reservoirs are installed with see-through plastic so you can track how much fluid you have, and check to ensure it’s not running low. Your owner’s manual will guide you to where it’s located on your vehicle. 

What a power steering flush will do for your vehicle

Is a power steering flush really needed? There are a few important things this service can provide you with. 

  • Better steering – if you notice your driving is becoming more difficult, it may be a sign of compromised power steering fluid. New fluid will get rid of the grime, and make your drive that much safer. 
  • Protects the pump – fluid is the life-blood to any major component. Replacing power steering fluid is much less expensive than risking damage to larger items like the power steering pump. 
  • It flushes harmful contaminants – driving here in Colorado means you’re subjected to everything on the road. Mag-chloride and salt in the winter, mud and other debris in the summer as the rains set in. flushing the system pushes these harmful contaminants out. 
  • Peace of mind – keeping the maintenance items recommended in your owner’s manual on your calendar can give you peace of mind over time. Instead of waiting for a major breakdown, being proactive can keep your vehicle in the best working condition possible. 

Is it time for a power steering flush? 

Before you head out on your next road trip, or move into a new season, head in for an inspection to keep your vehicle operating well. 

By working with our mechanics, we can help you determine how to keep your car in good working condition. 

Schedule your visit today. 

Filed Under: Car Maintenance Tagged With: Power Steering Flush

Power Steering Flush

March 27, 2013 by Denver Express Car Care Leave a Comment

Have you ever had a dream where you’re racing down the highway with the wind in your face and then all of a sudden it becomes a nightmare, and you lose your ability to steer your car?  I have, and I decided at that moment, I never wanted to have that experience in my real life!

The power steering system is one of the most critical parts of your vehicle.  Rack and pinion steering is the most common type of steering found in cars and minivans, but you can also find it on some SUVs and trucks.  To put it simply, rack and pinions are a pair of gears that work together to steer the vehicle.  In order to operate smoothly, the gears need hydraulic fluid, which is also called power steering fluid, to transmit power to your vehicles power steering system.  If the power steering fluid is dirty and isn’t flushed, there is an increased risk of damage to the entire power steering system.  A power steering flush is simply draining out your car’s old power steering fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid.  The function of the fluid is to transmit hydraulic pressure so you can steer your car easily in every driving situation no matter the temperature, from frigid cold to scorching heat.  Power steering fluid also lubricates the pump, controls the valves, and ensures a quiet operating system.

Over a period of time, the internal power steering components, as well as the seals and O-rings are subjected to wear and tear and they will begin to wear out.  When this happens the power steering fluid gets contaminated with broken down debris.  This forces the power steering pump to work harder.  Now the power steering pump has to pump the debris as well as the fluid and it eventually breaks down.  We have noticed that the 1996-1999 Toyota 4-Runners and Toyota Tacomas seem to be more prone to leaks if their systems aren’t flushed routinely.  If you own one of these vehicles you might want to have the power steering fluid checked to make sure you don’t need a power steering flush.  The fluid should appear either an amber or pink in color when it is fresh.  It is time for a change when the color appears significantly darker than when it was fresh.  Check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations for your particular vehicle.  If they aren’t available, a good rule of thumb is to change the power steering fluid as often as you change your engine coolant {anti-freeze}.  Since the fluid is the least expensive part of your power steering system and flushing it can help prolong the life of the more expensive parts of the system, a power steering flush is something that should be seriously considered.

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Care.  Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.

Filed Under: Car Maintenance, Transmission Tagged With: Power Steering Flush

Power Steering Flush

April 9, 2011 by Denver Express Car Care Leave a Comment

The power steering system is one of the most critical parts of your vehicle.  Rack and pinion steering is the most common type of steering system in cars and minivans and you can also find it on some SUVs and trucks.   Rack and pinions are, simply put, a pair of gears that work together to steer the vehicle.  In order to operate smoothly, the gears need hydraulic fluid, also called power steering fluid, to transmit power to your car’s power steering system.  If the power steering fluid is dirty and isn’t flushed, the risk of damage to the entire power steering system is increased.  A power steering flush is simply draining out your car’s old power steering fluid and replacing it with fresh power steering fluid.  The function of the fluid is to transmit hydraulic pressure so you can steer your car easily in every driving situation, from frigid cold to scorching heat.  It also lubricates the pump, controls the valves, and ensures  a quiet operating  system.

Over a period of time, the internal power steering components, as well as the seals and O-rings have been subjected to wear and tear and begin to wear out.  When this happens the power steering fluid gets contaminated with broken down debris, this forces the power steering pump to work harder.  The power steering pump now has to pump the debris as well as the fluid and it eventually breaks down.  We have noticed that the 1996-1999 Toyota 4-Runners and Toyota Tacomas are more prone to leaks if their systems aren’t flushed routinely.   If you drive one of these vehicles you might want to have the fluid checked to make sure you don’t need a power steering flush.   The power steering fluid should appear either an amber or pink in color when it is fresh.   When it appears significantly darker than its color when it was fresh, it’s time for a change. Check your owner’s manual for your vehicles recommendations.  If they aren’t available,  a good rule of thumb is to change the power steering fluid as often as you change your engine coolant.   Since  the fluid is the least expensive part of your power steering system and flushing it can help to prolong the life of the other, more expensive parts of the system, it is something that should be seriously considered.

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Care. Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.

Filed Under: Car Maintenance, Denver Auto Repair Tagged With: Power Steering Flush

Express Car Care
4200 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO (map)
Phone: (303) 691-2760
Located just southeast of the Colorado Light Rail station

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Tuesday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Wednesday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
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Friday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Saturday: Closed – A note from the owner
Sunday: Closed

Last car oil change time  – 5:00PM

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