Back to all

Stay Headed in the Right Direction, Westerville

May 8, 2018

Power steering is standard on nearly every vehicle in Westerville, Ohio, these days. Now there are some exotic, new types of power steering systems, but for the most part, the general setup is a pump that's driven by a belt powered by the engine.

Contact the automotive professionals at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Westerville in Westerville for questions about your power steering.

The pump generates power that assists drivers as they steer their vehicle around Westerville, Ohio. Power steering systems use hoses to move pressurized fluid back and forth. These hoses can develop leaks so it's a good idea to have Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Westerville inspect them at every oil change.

A check of the power steering fluid level is on the list for every full service oil change at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Westerville because low fluid can damage the power steering pump. And the fluid needs to be compatible with the hoses and seals, so it's important to use the correct type – just ask your service advisor at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Westerville.

In addition to providing a boost, the fluid cleans, cools and lubricates the power steering system. Over time, the lubricants and detergents diminish so Westerville drivers need to replace their old fluid with clean, fresh fluid periodically.

Excess moisture can collect in the power steering fluid as well. That can lead to rust and corrosion as well as reduce the effectiveness of the fluid. Many outline power steering service intervals in the owner's manual. Unfortunately, this service is sometimes left off the maintenance schedule. For Westerville drivers who are not sure, every two years is a good rule of thumb. 

At Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Westerville, we use a detergent to clean the system, flush out the old fluid and replace it with new fluid.

Now, if you are experiencing high steering effort, erratic power assist or loud whining coming from the pump, you may have a power steering problem. Another sign is having to frequently top off the fluid.

Holding the steering wheel to the far right or left for more than a few seconds at a time can wear your pump out quickly. We want you to be sure to service your power steering system regularly at your service center, or Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Westerville in Westerville, to keep you headed in the right direction.

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Westerville
7128 State Route 3
Westerville, Ohio 43082
614-818-9036
http://www.tuffywesterville.com

More articles from Tuffy Westerville

Clean Fuel Makes a Happy Engine in Westerville, Ohio

March 24, 2024

If the fuel system in your vehicle is dirty, you will be hurting your engine and losing performance as you drive around Westerville, Ohio.Unless they drive a vintage car, Westerville auto owners have fuel injectors which need to be properly maintained. That is why your vehicle owner's manual has ... More

Slippery When Wet (Driving on Wet Leaves)

March 17, 2024

When the leaves fall, you might take a sightseeing trip to see them at peak color. Or you may simply live in a spot where there are a lot of trees. When those leaves get wet, you'd be surprised to learn just how slippery they can be. We all know ice is slippery to drive on. What causes tires ... More

Positive and Negative (Battery Care)

March 10, 2024

You notice when your smartphone's battery starts to go weak on you. It runs out of juice faster than it did when it was new. Bet you pay attention to that pretty closely. Unfortunately, many of us don't pay the same attention to the battery in our vehicles. If your battery got you through the c... More