Check Power Steering Level – outside temperature

[Colin Palmer]

Hi,

My Mazda’s owners manual states that the power steering fluid should be checked on a level surface and when the engine is cold.
There are only two markers on the reservoir – MIN and MAX which indicate where the fluid should be between when engine is cold.

Anyway, I checked my power steering fluid in March and it wasnt a cold day, nor a warm day and the fluid was a whisker above the MIN, so I topped up the fluid to just above half way between MIN and MAX.
I checked the fluid periodically for a couple weeks after and was fine.

The fluid does rise a cm or two above the MAX after a long drive, but that is to be expected as its expanded in the heat.

Anyway, I checked my power steering fluid this morning (June) and it was already about 18 degree C outside… and the level said MAX. I had not driven the car.

** So it seems the outside temperature affects the power steering fluid level as well. If I were to check the power steering fluid mid-day when its 25 degrees plus, it will probably ready over MAX.

Does that matter as the engine is effectively still cool, its just the outside temperature is warm…. or should I only be checking the fluid in the morning?

I assume the winter will have the reverse affect and the fluid will probably be closer to the MIN mark in near freezing conditions

Thanks

Colin

Topic

[Mike]

I’ve always understood the hot and cold temperature recommendations to refer to the fluid temperature, not the air temperature. But you’re right, the outside air temperature will have an effect on the fluid level too. This is more noticeable in areas with large seasonal temperature swings, where winters can be -30 and summers get into the 90s.

Unless you live in such an area, I’d pretty much ignore the outside air temperature and judge the fluid level readings on fluid temperature alone. Your owners manual might give more info on this issue.

[zero]

Power steering systems don’t hold much fluid relative to some other systems, so the difference really doesn’t tend to be that much when it’s hot versus cold. Where I am the temperature goes from -40C in the winter, up to 40C in the summer, even then your looking at a minute difference in volume. A bit over max isn’t going to hurt anything. Just give it a quick peek when you check your oil every week and make sure it isn’t going down by any noticeable amount.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Sounds normal to me and nothing to be really concerned about. As long as it’s between those 2 marks I think you should be fine.

[Author]

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