Back to all

Stay Headed in the Right Direction, Glendale Heights

October 9, 2016

Power steering is standard on nearly every vehicle in Glendale Heights, Illinois, 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 Tire & Auto Service Glendale Heights in Glendale Heights for questions about your power steering.

The pump generates power that assists drivers as they steer their vehicle around Glendale Heights, Illinois. 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 Tire & Auto Service Glendale Heights 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 Tire & Auto Service Glendale Heights 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 Tire & Auto Service Glendale Heights.

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

At Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Glendale Heights, 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 Tire & Auto Service Glendale Heights in Glendale Heights, to keep you headed in the right direction.

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Glendale Heights
1153 Bloomingdale Rd.
Glendale Heights, Illinois 60139
630-588-8846

More articles from Tuffy Glendale Heights

Plugging Away (Spark Plug Replacement)

November 17, 2024

If you drive a vehicle with a gasoline engine, thank the spark plugs for igniting the gasoline/air mixture in each cylinder that keeps your vehicle traveling smoothly down the road every day. Your spark plugs work hard, firing thousands of times in a well-choreographed order, and you usually don... More

Poor Reflections (Door Mirror Problems)

November 10, 2024

Mirror, mirror on the door, why is my vision there so poor? Well, you could have a broken outside rearview mirror that's disabled your blind spot vision there and endangering your ability to see some of the traffic around you. Outside rearview (or door) mirrors are important safety devices that ... More

Too Hot to Handle (Vehicle Overheating)

November 3, 2024

In the hot weather, seeing steam coming from the engine compartment is something we all dread. No one wants that to happen to them. But if you know the signs of overheating and how to deal with it, you may be able to reduce the risk of damage to your vehicle, maybe even prevent getting stranded ... More