Stay Headed in the Right Direction, Saginaw
January 1, 2021
Power steering is standard on nearly every vehicle in Saginaw, TX, 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 Kwik Kar Saginaw in Saginaw for questions about your power steering.
The pump generates power that assists drivers as they steer their vehicle around Saginaw, TX. 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 Kwik Kar Saginaw 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 Kwik Kar Saginaw 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 Kwik Kar Saginaw.
In addition to providing a boost, the fluid cleans, cools and lubricates the power steering system. Over time, the lubricants and detergents diminish so Saginaw 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 Saginaw drivers who are not sure, every two years is a good rule of thumb.
At Kwik Kar Saginaw, 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 Kwik Kar Saginaw in Saginaw, to keep you headed in the right direction.
Kwik Kar Saginaw
1216 S. Blue Mound Rd.
Saginaw, TX 76131
817-231-1700
http://www.kwikkarsaginaw.com
Need Service?
More articles from Kwik Kar Saginaw

Muffler: Victim of Winter (Muffler Repair)
April 27, 2025
So you almost got through the winter until, one day, your muffler started sounding like a dragster, loud and obnoxious. It's not surprising. All that road salt and brine can cause rust to punch holes in a muffler, and that should raise a big, red warning flag about the safety of your vehicle. O... More

Differential Service
April 20, 2025
When you're driving and turn a corner, you probably aren't aware of all that's going on with your wheels. The outside wheels have a longer distance to travel than the inside wheels, so there are gears that allow the wheels to go at different speeds when you turn. That set of gears is called a d... More

Let?s Shift Gears (Transmission Fluid Replacement)
April 13, 2025
If you have a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you probably never think about gear shifting. When motor vehicles were invented, all of them had to be shifted manually. But that wonderful self-shifting transmission, referred to these days as simply an automatic, changed everything. Automa... More