# Help! Antifreeze in the power steering reservoir! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** fluids, steering\ **Created:** [October 30, 2007, 2:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-antifreeze-in-the-power-steering-reservoir/6591 "2007-10-30T02:26:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JannieK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@JannieK](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JannieK)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 2:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-antifreeze-in-the-power-steering-reservoir/6591/1 "2007-10-30T02:26:40Z")
My husband accidentally put antifreeze in the power steering reservoir of our daughter’s car. He dumped as much out as he could and flushed it (I think that’s what he said). Is this a really bad thing? Should we take it to a mechanic to be looked at? ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 3:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-antifreeze-in-the-power-steering-reservoir/6591/2 "2007-10-30T03:06:31Z")
I don’t think anyone really knows what a trace of residual antifreeze will do to the power steering. It may be harmless, it may damage the seals. Who knows. It may be worthwhile to have a shop do a professional power steering flush. It’s not too expensive. At least you will have peace of mind. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 5:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-antifreeze-in-the-power-steering-reservoir/6591/3 "2007-10-30T05:14:00Z")
If he drained and refilled the reservoir WITHOUT starting the engine, it should be fine.