Back to all

Stay Headed in the Right Direction, Cincinnati

March 3, 2024

Power steering is standard on nearly every vehicle in Cincinnati, Ohio, 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 Tuffy Cincinnati (Fields-Ertel) in Cincinnati for questions about your power steering.

The pump generates power that assists drivers as they steer their vehicle around Cincinnati, Ohio. 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 Tuffy Cincinnati (Fields-Ertel) 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 Tuffy Cincinnati (Fields-Ertel) 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 Tuffy Cincinnati (Fields-Ertel).

In addition to providing a boost, the fluid cleans, cools and lubricates the power steering system. Over time, the lubricants and detergents diminish so Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati drivers who are not sure, every two years is a good rule of thumb. 

At Tuffy Cincinnati (Fields-Ertel), 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 Tuffy Cincinnati (Fields-Ertel) in Cincinnati, to keep you headed in the right direction.

Tuffy Cincinnati (Fields-Ertel)
9401 Fields-Ertel
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249
513.683.5060

More articles from Tuffy Fields-Ertel Cincinnati

Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down in Cincinnati

December 15, 2024

Theres not much Cincinnati drivers can do about the price of gas in Ohio, but we can control - up to a point - how much we use. Our driving habits can dramatically affect our fuel economy.The first thing we can do is watch the go-pedal. Hard acceleration just sucks the gas. Gently leave stop ligh... More

Differential Service

December 8, 2024

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

Steer Clear of Power Steering Problems (Power Steering Maintenance)

December 1, 2024

We usually take our vehicle's easy steering for granted until something goes wrong. Power steering is what makes it almost effortless to turn the steering wheel, aiming your vehicle in the direction you want to go. Without the assistance of power from the engine, steering would be a laborious pr... More