How do you change the power steering fluid? What fluid should I use?
#1
Power Steering Fluid
is it normal for power steering fluid to decrease a little over time? like a few years time?
Is it ok to just add new fluid and top it off? what kind should be used for a 97 max?
Is it ok to just add new fluid and top it off? what kind should be used for a 97 max?
#2
Instructions on how to change Power Steering Fluid is provided here:
4th generation Maxima specific, but should apply to 3rd and 5th gen Maximas as well:
http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/702
It's a simpler approach and is better than trying to pull power steering fluid lines and flushing in a similar way to a transmission flush because power steering lines operate at a MUCH higher pressure than the transmission fluid return line. You're likely to hurt yourself if you try flushing the power steering fluid in this manner.
A 30 to 60k interval is probably sufficient. A synthetic ATF which is Dexron II or Dexron III compatible (such as Mobil 1 ATF or Amsoil ATF) should be used for longer usable life.
http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/702
It's a simpler approach and is better than trying to pull power steering fluid lines and flushing in a similar way to a transmission flush because power steering lines operate at a MUCH higher pressure than the transmission fluid return line. You're likely to hurt yourself if you try flushing the power steering fluid in this manner.
A 30 to 60k interval is probably sufficient. A synthetic ATF which is Dexron II or Dexron III compatible (such as Mobil 1 ATF or Amsoil ATF) should be used for longer usable life.
#6
Originally Posted by SamMan23
I've done this several times. Fluid looks nice and red, but still smells burnt. Should it be flushed instead? kinda like flushing atf in transmission?
Problem with that is power steering fluid operates at a very high pressure, making DIY flushing a potentially dangerous operation......not saying it can't be done, but it isn't like ATF, which runs at a reasonable pressure.
#7
Originally Posted by bill99gxe
4th generation Maxima specific, but should apply to 3rd and 5th gen Maximas as well:
http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/702
It's a simpler approach and is better than trying to pull power steering fluid lines and flushing in a similar way to a transmission flush because power steering lines operate at a MUCH higher pressure than the transmission fluid return line. You're likely to hurt yourself if you try flushing the power steering fluid in this manner.
A 30 to 60k interval is probably sufficient. A synthetic ATF which is Dexron II or Dexron III compatible (such as Mobil 1 ATF or Amsoil ATF) should be used for longer usable life.
http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/702
It's a simpler approach and is better than trying to pull power steering fluid lines and flushing in a similar way to a transmission flush because power steering lines operate at a MUCH higher pressure than the transmission fluid return line. You're likely to hurt yourself if you try flushing the power steering fluid in this manner.
A 30 to 60k interval is probably sufficient. A synthetic ATF which is Dexron II or Dexron III compatible (such as Mobil 1 ATF or Amsoil ATF) should be used for longer usable life.
#8
Maxima.org Sponsor and Donating Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (121)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,325
Originally Posted by RastaManMax
Won't mixing new and old fluid be bad?
#11
Maxima.org Sponsor and Donating Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (121)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,325
Originally Posted by FishyMan
would someone post brand names here? or a list for a 97 maxima?
i was thinking of MOBIL 1 ATF, but i read that someone had to topoff as it went below the COLD MIN???
i was thinking of MOBIL 1 ATF, but i read that someone had to topoff as it went below the COLD MIN???
#15
creeps i went down today.. and couldn't find mobil 1 ATF, though CHOKE valv, and other kind brands.. are valvoline brands good? i guess aslong dexron 3.. ill ck another shop if not ill just pick the valvoline brand..
i also saw a seperate section of PS fluid. like pyroil and what not.
i also saw a seperate section of PS fluid. like pyroil and what not.
#19
Originally Posted by S00NR1
Yes, you won't be disappointed. I just sucked out my old power steering fluid and refilled with the Mobil 1 ATF last week and everything seems to be running fine.
oh, btw, did you do it second time in 'few weeks' as suggested to increase the concentration of new fluid ?!? How many days is good to wait to do it again ??
#20
Holy freaking apropos. I have not visited here in a few weeks and today in my 97 max noticed my level low, so what do I do? Come to maxima.org and ask a question. But wait! A thread, with all answers, already started. Thanks guys, I think I'll run off to autozone right now for some fluids
OK I tried this last night and got only around 2 oz out of the reservoir. What is the overall capacity of the system? It seems that this could take a lot of changes to have a meaningful effect on replacing the old with new.
Also, how fast does PS fluid circulate, and how long should be left between these small fluid replacement efforts? 3 miles driving? 30?
EDIT: To answer my circulation question, I'd guess it circulates quite quickly, because it seems there is an in and out tube from the reservoir, so presumably the fluid is cycled pretty quickly.
OK I tried this last night and got only around 2 oz out of the reservoir. What is the overall capacity of the system? It seems that this could take a lot of changes to have a meaningful effect on replacing the old with new.
Also, how fast does PS fluid circulate, and how long should be left between these small fluid replacement efforts? 3 miles driving? 30?
EDIT: To answer my circulation question, I'd guess it circulates quite quickly, because it seems there is an in and out tube from the reservoir, so presumably the fluid is cycled pretty quickly.
#24
Originally Posted by aprentice
would old fluid adversely effect steering?
#29
power steering reservoir empty
Well, the power steering reservoir was completely empty when my son came back from an all-day trip.
So I added Prestone Power Steering Fluid with a leak stopper. After reading this forum, I'm worried that it's not the correct one
Do I need to suck it out with a turkey baster and replace it with NISSAN PSFII? The steering still is extremely difficult if not impossible. I added the fluid this morning, but haven't driven it.
So I added Prestone Power Steering Fluid with a leak stopper. After reading this forum, I'm worried that it's not the correct one
Do I need to suck it out with a turkey baster and replace it with NISSAN PSFII? The steering still is extremely difficult if not impossible. I added the fluid this morning, but haven't driven it.
#34
Does anyone know the part number or size of the Power Steering hoses for the 4th Gen. ? I've had a leak for a while, I had someone turning the wheel while the car was running but I can't tell directly where it is coming from, and it's not leaking directly from the resourvoir. The fluid that leaked out is mostly on the frame under the radiator. I tried looking in the Haynes Manual but it didn't have the info I was looking for.
#39
I just changed out my PS fluid with Mobil1 synthetic ATF....the difference in color was amazing...
Where did you guys buy your Turkey Baster? I didn't have one in hand so I just pulled the hose from the bottom of the reservouir....made a big mess but it now feels great to have synthetic fluid
Where did you guys buy your Turkey Baster? I didn't have one in hand so I just pulled the hose from the bottom of the reservouir....made a big mess but it now feels great to have synthetic fluid