ANSWERS: 1
  • <h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: Follow Professional Advice

    Power steering fluid is the lifeline of a steering system, and keeping it clean is simple and inexpensive. Most cars will have manufacturer guidelines on how often to change it, and with some new models the power steering fluid is meant to last the lifetime of the car. Another guideline is to change power steering fluid as often as engine coolant, which is generally about every five years or 100,000 miles for "long life" fluid and three years or every 50,000 miles for conventional fluid. If the fluid looks normal, this is indicates there are no serious problems with the steering system.

    On the Other: Save Your Money

    There are a lot of anecdotes out there about less than honest mechanics who recommend changing out things like power steering fluid when it is not necessary. Most people have had the experience of taking a car in for basic maintenance, only to have the mechanic come out with a list of additional services they recommend be done. Flushing out fluids sometimes falls into this situation, and many unsuspecting car owners have had services done where the only thing that got purposefully flushed was their wallets.

    Bottom Line

    Even people who feel they know little about car maintenance should take the time to know the mileage and intervals that items like power steering fluid need to be changed. It is advisable to keep a log of when this type of maintenance has been done. A knowledgeable car owner will be aware of when a mechanic is giving legitimate advice and when they are trying to pad the bill. When the advice is correct, it is far cheaper to change power steering fluid than to wait and risk serious damage to the far more expensive parts of the steering system.

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