Stay Headed in the Right Direction, Brighton
April 21, 2020
Power steering is standard on nearly every vehicle in Brighton, 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 Spartan Tire Brighton in Brighton for questions about your power steering.
The pump generates power that assists drivers as they steer their vehicle around Brighton, 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 Spartan Tire Brighton 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 Spartan Tire Brighton 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 Spartan Tire Brighton.
In addition to providing a boost, the fluid cleans, cools and lubricates the power steering system. Over time, the lubricants and detergents diminish so Brighton 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 Brighton drivers who are not sure, every two years is a good rule of thumb.
At Spartan Tire Brighton, 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 Spartan Tire Brighton in Brighton, to keep you headed in the right direction.
Spartan Tire Brighton
4880 Old U.S. 23
Brighton, Michigan 48114
810-355-4388
Need Service?
More articles from Spartan Tire Brighton
How Cool is That! (Coolant level sensor replacement)
April 20, 2025
Your vehicles engine runs hot. It should, since its a series of little explosions that create the power that gets you going where you want to go. To keep the engine cool, engineers have designed wonderful cooling systems that use liquid coolant, hoses, and a radiator to transfer the heat from t... More
U and your U-Joints (Lubricate U-Joints)
April 13, 2025
If your vehicles power goes to the rear wheels, then you have something called U-joints in the drivetrain. U-joints are connectors that allow the rotating power from your vehicles engine to deliver its power through a driveshaft to make the rear wheels rotate. You need U-joints because the surfa... More
Prepare Your Windshield for Winter (Wiper Blades and Fluid for Freezing Temperatures)
April 6, 2025
Winter and freezing temperatures present challenges for different parts of your vehicles. For example, winter tires give you better traction on snow. But some parts of your vehicle that may need special attention for winter are your windshield wipers. You may have found yourself in the middle o... More