Stay Headed in the Right Direction, Royal Oak
February 27, 2016
Power steering is standard on nearly every vehicle in Royal Oak, Michigan, 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 Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak in Royal Oak for questions about your power steering.
The pump generates power that assists drivers as they steer their vehicle around Royal Oak, Michigan. 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 Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak 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 Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak 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 Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak.
In addition to providing a boost, the fluid cleans, cools and lubricates the power steering system. Over time, the lubricants and detergents diminish so Royal Oak 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 Royal Oak drivers who are not sure, every two years is a good rule of thumb.
At Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak, 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 Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak in Royal Oak, to keep you headed in the right direction.
Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak
3110 Rochester Rd
Royal Oak, Michigan 48073
248-585-0980
http://www.toptechautorepairroyaloak.com
Need Service?
More articles from Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak
Your Vehicle's Other Power Plant (Alternator Replacement)
March 29, 2026
Your vehicle's engine is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a power plant. But it has another power source that is vital as well: the alternator. The alternator is what puts out the electricity that powers such things as your lights, power windows, sound system, and na... More
You Are the Fluid Detective! (Leaking Fluids)
March 22, 2026
When you see some liquid sitting underneath your vehicle, your mind starts churning. Is that normal? Is that something serious, or did I just spill my drink? Heres a quick list of what those fluids look, smell and feel like, as well as what they might be. No, we dont recommend you taste them to ... More
A Most Important Part (Serpentine Belt Replacement)
March 15, 2026
Your vehicles engine is an engineering work of wonder with many complex parts working in harmony to get you down the road. One of those simple but important components is called a serpentine belt. It is driven by a pulley on the engine and transfers that power to many of your engines most importa... More