Many modern cars use power steering (GUR). Thanks to this device, the driver can force the vehicle to make a turn with little effort. As a working medium in the power steering, hydraulic fluid is used - a special oil that circulates in the system. Its level must be constantly monitored, otherwise you may encounter serious problems.
If the fluid level in the power steering has dropped noticeably, it can simply overheat and boil. The effort required to turn the steering wheel will increase several times. Power steering problems caused by a lack of hydraulic fluid lead to poor vehicle control. In the worst case, they can even cause an accident.
How often should the hydraulic fluid be changed?
Usually, car manufacturers do not indicate the exact frequency of replacing fluid intended for power steering. However, it is desirable that the tank is always filled to a normal level. We advise you to pay attention to the following recommendations:
- during normal operation of the car (mileage - up to 10,000 km / year), the power steering fluid should be changed every 2 years,
- with intensive use of the vehicle, replacement should be done once a year or after every 30,000 km of run.
Sometimes you can hear the opinion that power steering fluid can serve almost throughout the entire life of the vehicle. But in reality this is not the case. The fact is that during the operation of the power steering, its components are naturally subject to wear. As a result, metal dust and dirt can get into the oil. Therefore, a replacement is indispensable.
Where can I get information on the right power steering fluid?
Which power steering fluid is right for you? This question can be answered in several ways:
- usually the type of oil for power steering is indicated in the technical documents for the car,
- also the information you are interested in is usually indicated on the lid of the oil tank,
- you can contact the dealership and ask the specialists working there.
You can do otherwise. In this article you will find useful tips to help you decide on the choice of fluids for the power steering used in your car.
Oil for power steering and its main characteristics
The fluid that is used in the power steering system has several important characteristics that must be considered when choosing. This:
- base type,
- color,
- performance properties.
According to the type of basis, all products belonging to this category can be divided into three groups:
- mineral,
- semi-synthetic,
- synthetic.
Mineral oils are characterized by a relatively low cost, they ensure the complete safety of rubber parts that are widely used in the power steering system. However, such liquids have a rather high viscosity and are prone to foaming. However, in many cars it is recommended to use them.
Synthetic fluids for power steering have good lubricating and anti-corrosion properties, and their advantage is low foaming. However, such a fluid is more often used in automatic transmissions. Semi-synthetics also have good performance properties.
The composition of the fluid intended for power steering includes various additives. They reduce viscosity, reduce foaming, slow down or inhibit corrosion, and improve lubricity. Also, power steering fluid, supplemented with special additives, effectively resists oxidation.
It must be borne in mind that different oils for power steering should not be mixed. When mixing incompatible liquids, the additives that are included in their composition can enter into a chemical reaction. This will lead to unpredictable consequences and will most likely cause the properties of the oil to deteriorate significantly. Therefore, when changing the oil, the tank should be well and only after that fill in the new fluid.
An important characteristic of oil for power steering is viscosity. Modern vehicles tend to use less viscous, more fluid products, which in turn are not well suited to older vehicles.
High-quality power steering fluid resists high temperatures well, does not curl, does not change consistency. As an example of oils that are not afraid of heating and ensure the smooth operation of the power steering system even in the most difficult conditions, we can cite the products of the German company Liqui Moly. It produces both mineral and synthetic fluids of high quality. At the same time, Liqui Moly fundamentally does not produce products with standard parameters. The company's catalog contains fluids with improved characteristics, for example, anti-wear and low temperature. A wide range makes it easy to find an option for your car. Liqui Moly products make it possible to increase the performance of the hydraulic system, and at the same time extend its life.
As you can see, choosing a power steering fluid is not as difficult a task as it might seem. Use our advice and do not forget to replace it in a timely manner so that the hydraulic power steering system works smoothly and does not let you down at crucial moments.
The working fluid or special oil enhances the transfer of pressure from the pump to the hydraulic cylinder and lubricates all friction pairs. A container for liquid can be a tank. It has a filter component, and in the cork - a probe to set the limit.
In our article, we will consider what a power steering is, what kind of oil should be added to it.
Classification and interchangeability
It is customary for people to separate oils by color and to believe that they can be mixed according to this feature. This is absolutely not true. It is also reckless to think that it is always possible to mix oils of the same color. This is far from true. They can vary considerably in viscosity and composition. Why are they colored? Consider the features associated with the color of the oil:
- Red color - the Dexron family (mineral water and synthetics of this color should absolutely not be mixed). These oils come in different types, but at the same time, they are all suitable only for automatic transmissions.
- Yellow color - a group that is used mainly for power steering in Mercedes cars
- Green color is a group of oils, which is mainly used in Peugeot, Citroen and VAG. Mineral water and synthetics of this color should never be mixed. Such oil is categorically not suitable for automatic transmission.
The power steering has a sufficient number of rubber parts, and synthetic oils, in turn, have a rather detrimental effect on rubber products, due to their chemical aggressiveness. In order to add such oil to the power steering, its rubber parts must have a certain composition. There are very few such systems available. And if the instructions do not indicate the possibility of using synthetics, then only mineral oils should be poured into the power steering.
Differences between power steering oils and automatic transmissions
Consider what is the difference between oils for power steering and for automatic transmission, and what kind of oil is poured into the power steering. The table below shows the hydraulic fluids for power steering brand (PSF) and automatic transmission type (ATF):
|
Oils for power steering (PSF): |
Automatic transmission oils (ATF): |
|
|
Functions of hydraulic fluid |
1) the liquid acts as a working fluid that transfers pressure from the pump to the piston |
1) the same functions as for power steering fluids |
|
1) friction reducing additives (metal-metal, metal-rubber, metal-fluoroplastic) |
1) the same additives as for power steering oils |
Hydraulic Fluid Capabilities
- the liquid plays the role of a working fluid that transmits pressure from the pump to the piston;
- lubricating function;
- anti-corrosion function;
- transfers heat to cool the system.
- Everything is the same as for power steering oils;
- The possibility of increasing the static friction of the friction clutches.
Fluid Additives
- additives that reduce abrasion (metal-metal, metal-rubber, metal-fluoroplastic);
- viscosity stabilizers;
- anti-corrosion additives;
- acidity stabilizers;
- coloring additives;
- antifoam additives;
- additives protecting rubber components;
- Same additives as power steering fluids;
- anti-slip and anti-wear additives for automatic transmission clutches suitable for the exact clutch material. Different clutch components require different additives. Based on this, we observe a variety of types of gearbox oils (ATF Dexron-II, ATF Dexron-III, ATF-Type T-IV, and others).
A variety of Dexrons (Dextrons) was originally developed for use in automatic transmissions (automatic transmissions), therefore these oils were called transmission oils. This, in turn, is not entirely clear, because thick oils of the brand were previously produced under this “name”: GL-5, TAD-17, TAP-15 for automatic transmissions and rear axles with hypoid gears. Such oils are thinner than transmission oils, and therefore it is easier to refer to them as ATF, which means "Automatic Transmission Fluid"
Having examined the table, we see that the difference in oils for power steering and for gearboxes lies only in the presence of new additional additives. They, in turn, do not affect the quality of the oil and the operation of car parts. Therefore, answering the question of which oil is better to fill in the power steering, power steering or automatic transmission, one can unequivocally answer that any.
The Japanese initially use the same oils in their cars, while the manufacturers of European models use a different move to bind consumers. They advocate that no other oil should be poured into the car, except for the one they indicate in the instructions. At the same time, practice has shown that the use of high-quality, but not original oil does not affect the performance and life of the power steering in any way.
Mixing system
To avoid major problems, it is worth remembering that you can mix yellow and red oils of the same type - mineral or synthetic. But the greens should not be confused with any others, only with their own kind. As practice shows, sometimes foam was formed when yellow was added to green oil. In this case, the system should be flushed before using a different color fluid.
When mixing mineral Dexrons and yellow power steering oils, no extraneous phenomena occurred. Their additives are perfectly mixed with each other and continue to fulfill their role in the new composition.
To understand which oil can be added to the hydraulic booster to another one already there, consider three groups of oils.
- First group. It includes "conditionally mixed" oils. These can be the same oils only from different manufacturers, they can be mixed in different ways. This will not affect the operation of the hydraulic booster in any way and will not reduce its resource.
- Second group. It includes oils that are allowed to be mixed only with each other. However, they can be used instead of other oils, on one condition: it is necessary to completely flush the system from the used oil.
- Third group. This is a group containing oils, the use of which is prescribed in the instructions (you must strictly follow it), which determines the specific type of oil for each vehicle.
Now you know what kind of oil to fill in the power steering.
The power steering (GUR) allows you to drive with minimal effort not only a car, but also a powerful heavy truck. It also performs other functions:
- makes the car more maneuverable;
- improves driving safety;
- provides directional stability;
- makes driving more comfortable.
But for the efficient and uninterrupted operation of the hydraulic booster, it is necessary that high-quality hydraulic oil be poured into it. It is under high pressure and when the steering wheel is turned, it transfers force to the pistons, which ensure the turn in the desired direction.
Some car manufacturers claim that the oil in the power steering should not be changed at all. They explain this by the large resource of the liquid poured into the system. According to them, it is no less than the resource of the car itself. However, many experts believe that periodic oil changes are necessary, especially if you use the car for a long time and intensively. It should be changed at the following intervals:
- if the mileage of the vehicle does not exceed 10,000 km per year - once every two years;
- if the vehicle mileage is more than 10,000 km per year, then once a year or after every 30-40,000 km of run.
In this case, the tank must be filled to a normal level; therefore, experts recommend checking the fluid level after 6-7,000 km of run and topping it up if necessary.
How to choose hydraulic oil? The easiest option is to find the relevant information in the documents that come with the car. But here certain problems can arise, for example:
- you cannot quickly find the necessary documents;
- the documents do not contain this information;
- the necessary oil is simply not on sale.
In all such cases, you can fill the hydraulic booster with a universal fluid that is suitable for most cars. Which one? You can clarify this in a car service or use the advice that we will give you.
All oils that are poured into the hydraulic booster are divided into several groups according to the type of base:
- mineral;
- semi-synthetic;
- synthetic.
Mineral-based products are on average cheaper, but they have a number of disadvantages, in particular the tendency to foam. Of course, semi-synthetic and synthetic oils also have their drawbacks, but they are eliminated with the help of special additives. However, the cost of synthetics is somewhat higher.
Also, when choosing oils, the following characteristics must be considered:
- resistance to low and high temperatures - a quality product does not lose its operational properties in the range from -35 to +110 degrees Celsius;
- stable viscosity - the liquid should not thicken with a strong increase or decrease in temperature;
- low foaming - if air bubbles form in the liquid, certain problems may arise when transferring force from the steering wheel to the rotary mechanism;
- transparency, homogeneity - a quality product is always homogeneous, does not form sediment.
The oil intended for the hydraulic booster receives the properties listed above thanks to special additives. At the same time, additives that are part of various products can enter into a chemical reaction with each other, which will lead to unpredictable consequences; therefore, before pouring oil into the hydraulic booster, it is recommended to flush.
High quality hydraulic oils are produced by many companies. One of them is the German company Liqui Moly, whose products are not only widely known abroad, but also well-established in Russia. As practice shows, hydraulic fluids from this manufacturer retain their high performance properties even in the harsh Russian climate, at low temperatures. It is also important to note the wide range: it enables everyone to find a solution that suits their car. The company's catalog contains both mineral and synthetic fluids.
The oils developed and produced by Liqui Moly are tested in the laboratory, their quality is carefully checked. Thanks to this, you can be sure that the characteristics of the product really correspond to what is declared, and you will be able to operate your car comfortably and safely.
Choosing the right hydraulic fluid is not as difficult as it might seem. Do not forget about the timely replacement - this will ensure the efficient and uninterrupted operation of the power steering system.
After what period of time the fluid in the power steering of a car should be replaced, manufacturers usually do not indicate, but it is necessary to change the oil in the steering, and most often the change is made after 50-60 thousand km of the distance traveled.
But many drivers do not know what kind of fluid is poured into the power steering, and in this article we will tell you what power steering is usually filled with on various car models.
Importance of oil in power steering
The hydraulic steering system (HPS) is designed for driving comfort and was once only used on trucks. Nowadays, more than half of all passenger cars are equipped with hydraulic power steering, and gradually cars with mechanical steering are leaving the market.
The fluid in the power steering plays an important role, it simultaneously performs several functions at once:
- creates the pressure necessary to easily turn the steering wheel;
- lubricates all steering parts;
- protects parts of the switchgear from overheating;
- does not allow corrosion to appear in the steering mechanism;
- protects rubbing parts from premature wear.
Often, the fluid in power steering is called oil or grease, as it has lubricating properties. In order to ensure high-quality lubrication of RU parts, additives are added to the liquid, and oil for power steering gears has its own specific composition, it is not suitable for an engine or mechanical transmission.
It often happens that oil is leaking from the steering system, and until repairs are made, it is necessary to add fluid to the power steering reservoir. Motorists distinguish oil by color, it is produced with a yellow, red, green tint. The red liquid is Dexron, belongs to the ATF class, is mainly used in automatic transmissions, less often in some types of power steering. Although all Dextron oils are the same in color, they have a different composition - they can be mineral or synthetic. You should be aware that in no case should mineral water be mixed with synthetics, since the transmission fluid will curdle and foam when mixed. 
You should also know that Dexron is not a brand, but just a type of oil. Dextron is produced by various companies, it can be from manufacturers:
- Mobil;
- Mannol;
- Motul;
- Valvoline;
- Ravenol;
- Liqui Moly.
There are also many other companies producing ATF oil.
Yellow power steering fluid was originally intended for Mercedes cars, and it was almost never used on other car models before. The fluid poured into the power steering Ford, Renault, Opel, Hyundai, Nissan, Audi, Kia, etc., green, is used more often than others, but it is not suitable for automatic transmissions. The oil with a green tint belongs to the PSF class, and the additives in its composition differ from those found in the ATF fluid.
To understand how transmission fluids differ from oils for power steering, it is enough to study the table of oil functions for hydraulic boosters and for automatic transmissions. 
Before adding oil to the power steering, you should find out what kind of liquid is filled in the car. Often the contents are determined by color, for example, only green or red (pink) liquid is poured into the Ford Focus-2. Having determined the color, the car owner finds out that only two compositions are used at Focuses:
- WSS-M2C204-A - green shade;
- WSA-M2C195-A - red.
It is undesirable to use something else in Ford Focus GUR, but you should be aware that it is permissible to mix red Dextron-type mineral oils with each other in case of emergency.
Green and yellow liquids cannot be mixed; when they are combined, foaming occurs. But if the Mercedes car owner has a desire to replace the yellow grease in the steering system with green, it is necessary to flush, and then the power steering will work normally, without any problems. It is allowed to mix Dexron mineral water with yellow mineral liquid, nothing bad happens. To understand a little about what can and cannot be mixed, you can look at the compatibility tables of auto chemicals from various manufacturers.
Group one.
Here are oils that are conditionally interchangeable with each other - they are very similar in composition, only they are produced by different manufacturers. If the issue is approached strictly, these fluids should not be mixed, but the mixing of the compositions will not affect the power steering resource, and the steering system will work properly. 
Group two . In this table, liquids can only be mixed with each other; they are not compatible with other oils. But if you flush the system, they can be used in other power steering.
Group three
. Fluids in this category may only be used if they are approved by the vehicle manufacturer. Group oils cannot be filled in if they are not recommended by the manufacturer, but they are interchangeable with each other. 
Another important point is that "synthetics" are rarely used in hydraulic boosters, the synthetic composition corrodes rubber seals and oil seals. Therefore, such fluids are used provided that their use is permissible by the vehicle manufacturer.
There are a lot of various auto chemicals on the Russian market; automotive oils for hydraulic boosters are presented in a wide range. Products differ significantly in price, and original formulations are always more expensive. But if a product is sold cheaper, this does not mean at all that it is of poor quality. In many cases, auto chemicals have a higher price just because the company is very well known all over the world, but is it necessary to overpay only for the brand?
You can buy power steering fluid at any store that sells consumables and auto parts for cars, wholesale companies and small retail outlets also sell oils. By the way, the possibility of running into a fake is not excluded, so you should purchase goods from trusted organizations with a good reputation that have been operating on the market for several years. Most often, power steering fluid is sold in packages with a volume of about 1 liter, and such containers are very convenient, since power steering in a car basically requires from 600 to 900 ml of oil. To imagine the order of prices for products in 2017, we will give a few examples. The cost of green fluid for power steering:
Here are the approximate prices for some ATF oils (Dextron):
- ATF 220 Mobil, liter canister - 450-500 rubles;
- XADO ATF, 1 liter - 800-850 rubles;
- Divinol ATF Premium, 1 liter - 820-870 rubles.
The industry also produces various synthetic fluids, among inexpensive products it is worth noting Total Fluide Lds - the product is used in the hydraulic systems of Citroen cars. This oil is orange in color, has a high viscosity index, has a low pour point and excellent lubricating properties, well protects power steering parts from corrosion. The price of a 1 liter package is about 500-500 rubles. But it should be remembered that synthetics cannot be mixed with mineral oils.
It is mandatory to fill the power steering with fluid at certain intervals to ensure uninterrupted operation, as is the case with an engine or automatic transmission. In our article, we will consider all the issues related to choosing the right oil for your car, as well as tell you about all the nuances associated with changing the fluid in your own garage.
1 Why put oil in the power steering?
First you need to decide why you need power steering fluid. So, power steering, or power steering for short, is a special device whose main task is to increase the level of vehicle maneuverability. The steering wheel equipped with power steering rotates much easier, which greatly simplifies the process of driving, rebuilding and turning. As a result, the maneuverability of the vehicle increases, which has a positive effect on the overall level of safety.
But the steering wheel turns so easily for a reason, but due to the action exerted by the hydraulic fluid, as the oil transfers force from the pump to the pushing piston. For this reason, it is necessary to fill in high-quality grease, specially made for use in hydraulic boosters. If earlier even engine oil could be poured into old cars, then modern units will instantly fail when such a substance is added.
An expansion tank is used to fill the liquid, after which the oil passes through the entire hydraulic system due to the pressure of the pump, thoroughly lubricating the main components and assemblies, which prevents rust. The next important task is protection against overheating. This is due to the presence of a large number of rubbing mechanisms and parts. During operation, due to friction, they generate a lot of heat, which leads to serious overheating of the entire hydraulic system. However, the oil effectively removes excess heat, which leads to an increase in the life of the main power steering components.
2 Choosing oil - what do we pay attention to when choosing a liquid?
Having decided on the main functions of hydraulic fluids, we will try to find out what is best to fill in the power steering. Like antifreeze, all oils differ from each other in the color of the liquid. It was created specifically to make life easier for ordinary drivers.
But first you need to figure out what requirements a high-quality liquid must meet. After all, you need to buy just such compositions, the use of which will only benefit your car. Saving on oil can be very regrettable in the future, because low-quality goods can do more harm than help.
So, among the main indicators that determine the quality of products, it is customary to distinguish the following:
- Heat resistance - as already noted, power steering fluids are designed not only to lubricate various hydraulic parts, but also to effectively remove heat from rubbing elements. Therefore, preference should be given to consumables that retain all their consumer characteristics even at temperatures above 110 degrees. In the cold season, the oil should not freeze at t -35 degrees.
- Stable viscosity is an important point, especially when it comes to machine operation at sub-zero temperatures. The required level of viscosity is provided by numerous additives, due to the action of which the liquid remains moderately viscous. Ultimately, this has a positive effect on the ease of rotation of the steering wheel.
- Homogeneity and transparency - among the distinctive properties of high-quality oil are purity, uniformity and transparency of the composition. There should be no precipitation or visible deposits, even after a long period of inactivity of the oil canister.
- Wear resistance - you should ask the sellers if there are protective additives in the composition that ensure the creation of a special film that encloses rubber gaskets, cuffs and other elements of the hydraulic system from the aggressive effects of the liquid. Such additives can significantly extend the useful life of the hydraulic booster.
- Foaming - car manufacturers recommend purchasing compounds that do not produce air bubbles, much less foam. The problem of foaming is that the force from the steering wheel to the rotary mechanism will occur with some delay due to the appearance of air bubbles in the fluid. This problem can be solved by adding appropriate additives.
Despite the variety of oils, they all fall into two main categories - synthetic and mineral. It is best to purchase mineral oils that were developed exclusively for power steering. Of great importance are the numerous mineral components that make up the liquid.
Any oil, regardless of the presence, quality and quantity of additives, belongs to the category of extremely aggressive environments. Therefore, sometimes rubber, like metal products, can collapse and become unusable. However, in the case of mineral compositions, the probability of this is extremely small. Among other things, you need to change the oil on time to avoid the need to replace individual components of the power steering.
In addition to mineral compositions, synthetic ones are also used in everyday life. However, things are a bit more complicated for them. Not every car can be filled with synthetics. Synthetic fluids are only allowed when the manufacturer of your car allows it. Otherwise, you shouldn't risk it. A feature of synthetics is that it contains special rubber fibers that increase the level of lubrication of all elements of the hydraulic system and more efficiently remove excess heat energy. As a rule, synthetics are used in special-purpose vehicles, as well as trucks and other trucks.
3 Oil colors - what does it affect?
Any driver will be able to independently change the oil in the power steering system, since this is a fairly quick and uncomplicated operation. But before that, you should learn about some technical features. For example, it is best to use the same material that was before, that is, it is recommended to refuse mixing. But this does not mean that different brands cannot be used after each other. The chemical composition plays a key role here. And it is the color of the lubricant that can tell us the distinguishing features.
Stores sell canisters with yellow, red and green compounds. We will immediately make a reservation that it is strictly forbidden to mix green lubricants with other colors, only red and yellow liquids can be mixed. In addition, you can not mix mineral and synthetic varieties. Their chemical composition is significantly different, so the use of such oils can lead to big power steering problems.
What should a car enthusiast know about lubricant colors?
- Green liquid - can be both synthetic and mineral. This composition can only be used in vehicles in which a manual transmission is installed.
- Red oil - like green oil, is made on the basis of synthetic and mineral components. Unlike the previous type, it is recommended to pour this liquid into hydraulic boosters that are equipped with an automatic transmission. Manual transmissions do not function in the best way in the presence of this composition.
- Yellow lubricants are the most versatile consumables and lubricants, which is due to the ability to use not only in power steering, but also in car transmissions. In addition, the oil works great regardless of the type of gearbox. For this reason, most drivers try to purchase yellow liquids, the purchase of which is more cost-effective, and also makes it possible to mix with the red look. Naturally, if both oils are characterized by the same chemical composition.
If we talk about manufacturers, then there are no restrictions. For obvious reasons, it is best to buy products from well-known global companies in order to ensure the proper level of product quality.
In any case, you can mix products from different manufacturers, as long as the color characteristics and chemical composition match. Then there will be no problems during operation.
4 Learn how to quickly change oil without any hassle
Absolutely any driver can change the lubricating oil in the power steering, since this is a very simple and uncomplicated operation. In addition, it will not take much time, even if you do it for the first time. First you need to prepare some auxiliary materials, namely a container for collecting waste fluid, a syringe for pumping out oil and, in fact, a canister with a new composition, which we will fill in the power steering.
Now you can proceed directly to work. During an oil change, we often have to turn the steering wheel with the engine off. Therefore, it is recommended to raise the car, at least its front end, with a jack. Next, open the hood and find the expansion tank, which contains the used oil. Using a syringe, we try to pump out the old liquid to the maximum.
Now you need to find the clamps going to the tank, and loosen the pipes on them. By disconnecting the clamps, we can remove the tank latches and completely dismantle it. Be sure to rinse this container. Having removed the tank, we will see two pipes, one of which goes to the radiator, and the second to the hydraulic booster. Carefully, so as not to damage, we pick up the first hose and lower it into a container with used oil. To remove the remaining liquid, you need to sit behind the wheel and rotate it in different directions for several minutes.
The next step will require the help of a second person. When all the liquid is in the tank, you can start pouring a new composition, after washing the nozzles. A funnel is inserted into the second hose that goes to the power steering - it is through it that oil is poured. At this point, it is necessary to rotate the steering wheel so that the fluid processes all the components of the power steering.
After changing the oil, it remains only to connect all the clamps, hoses and pipes in the reverse order, as well as install the expansion tank. As you can see, the procedure is within the power of any driver, even a novice. The only thing is that it will be quite problematic to do without the help of a friend. Other difficulties in the work are not expected, so in half an hour you can hit the road about your business.
