# Power Steering Oil Change / Flush **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [October 7, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261 "2019-10-07T18:10:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/1 "2019-10-07T18:10:57Z")
2013 Mazda 5 with 100k miles. Bought it with 85k - I do not think that the previous owner ever changed it. Do you recommend to have power steering fluid changed or flushed? Having tried to suck fluid and replace, I find more dirt is coming out as the new fluid get into action. Roughly 50% oil is changed (?) - it is difficult since there are two reservoir - bottom reservoir has most oil (I do it on my Acura Integra) - oil has significant black color to it. I called around for price: - dealer likely $125+tax; Likely they get the color right - might do twice to get the color - they put the oil on one end and drain on the other - independent shop drain & fill for $73 + tax; (AC Delco Synthetic oil) Just one change - color? Should I need to be concerned about air getting trapped as they drain and fill? Wondering which one is better? It seems that I will be in good hands in both places (I named the m/c at the dealer) - independent shop has good reviews. Its just about getting air trapped (unlikely event I believe knowing their reviews), getting the color right and price! ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 6:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/2 "2019-10-07T18:46:20Z")
Have the independent shop flush the fluid. They’ll replaced all the fluid with a piece of equipment something like this. [https://www.autotoolworld.com/RTI-Technologies-PSX-3-Power-Steering-Fluid-Exchanger\_p\_165746.html?msclkid=9371122b8f4914a9284c4fb009a2aa5c&utm\_source=bing&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm\_term=4585238368591926&utm\_content=All%20Products](https://www.autotoolworld.com/RTI-Technologies-PSX-3-Power-Steering-Fluid-Exchanger_p_165746.html?msclkid=9371122b8f4914a9284c4fb009a2aa5c&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm_term=4585238368591926&utm_content=All%20Products) It’s cheaper than replacing a power steering pump/rack assembly. Tester ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/3 "2019-10-07T18:55:28Z")
> [@Tester](#): > > Have the independent shop flush the fluid. They’ll replaced all the fluid with a piece of equipment something like this. I am sorry the independent shop said that they will only do drain & fill - they do not have the equipment. Are u saying go to the dealer? There is a 2nd independent shop that will flush but prices are about the same as the Dealer. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/4 "2019-10-07T19:08:37Z")
Then it doesn’t matter. Does it? Tester ---
**Author:** ![Scrapyard-John](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Scrapyard-John](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrapyard-John)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/5 "2019-10-07T19:19:54Z")
Power steering systems bleed themselves with use, in my experience. I haven’t ever had an issue with air getting trapped when repairing hydraulic power steering systems. I think I’d keep sucking the fluid out at home and save the money, myself. You should be able to dilute the old fluid enough next time, considering you’ve replaced 50% of it already. This is something I don’t generally do (power steering flush), but I’m sure it’s not a bad practice. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 7:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/6 "2019-10-07T19:21:41Z")
> [@Tester](#): > > Then it doesn’t matter. > > Does it? I am sorry are you recommending Flush than “Drain & Fill” in this instance? I am sorry I did not understand your post. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![crusty-XII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@crusty-XII](https://community.cartalk.com/u/crusty-XII)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 10:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/8 "2019-10-07T22:58:45Z")
I have an 09 Mazda 3, I changed the fluid myself (youtube videos helped) it was simple drain/replace I used Mobil synthetic.The steering feel is better, but that might be me. ---
**Author:** ![Scrapyard-John](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Scrapyard-John](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrapyard-John)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 11:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/9 "2019-10-07T23:46:56Z")
How did it “feel better”? Less steering effort required? Or what? Just curious, I may try it myself this winter on the 2005 Sierra. I’ve never replaced ps fluid unless I was replacing lines, steering gearbox etc. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2019, 1:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/10 "2019-10-08T13:35:01Z")
The one time I paid a shop to “flush” my PS fluid, I watched them use a hand pump to drain and refill it. After that, I just drained and refilled it myself. If you want to obsess about changing more of the fluid than you can with a siphon pump, just do it more than once. Drain the fluid, refill it, start the car, turn the steering wheel all the way side to side a couple times, and then drain and refill it again. If you really want to obsess about it, drain and refill it a third time in a day or two. Even if you have to buy three bottles of PS fluid and a siphon pump, you’ll come out ahead rather than pay a shop to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2019, 1:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/11 "2019-10-08T13:36:50Z")
> [@Scrapyard\_John](#): > > How did it “feel better”? Less steering effort required? Or what? > > Just curious, I may try it myself this winter on the 2005 Sierra. I’ve never replaced ps fluid unless I was replacing lines, steering gearbox etc. I’m betting it was placebo effect. When my car was new, I would _swear_ it ran smoother after an oil change, but it was just placebo effect. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2019, 3:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/12 "2019-10-08T15:47:43Z")
Key Takeaways: - “It’s cheaper than replacing a power steering pump/rack assembly” as @Tester stated. Its a high pressure system. Your PS might be well made but fluid needs replacing - I do siphon on my Acura Integra frequently because its so easy. But this car is tall and the bottom reservoir holds the fluid. Its been ignored for 5yrs/100k - I might have changed 50% but that’s when I realized there is more dirt inside. See the arrow in this picture, the little reservoir. Then there is a L-shape black hose takes it to another reservoir: [https://data.youcanic.com/make/mazda/5/2015/1305-4.jpg](https://data.youcanic.com/make/mazda/5/2015/1305-4.jpg) - For others, it is not so much about smoother effect. But ensuring the high pressure system is fed well - an insurance against costly maintenance. I sold my 30yr old Acura on a related issue - @Tester gave me the fix for it too - I could have kept it, I guess after the Lucas fix. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 6:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/13 "2019-10-11T18:33:46Z")
I got the work done at the mom-papa shop. They had trouble figuring the oil and was going to use Dexron III and wouldn’t use customer part. What difference should I expect between - Syn blend by Motorcraft Mercon V [https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/motorcraft-4335/performance-16477/oil--sealers---additives-16820/transmission-fluid-25268/f5199ac1d33a/motorcraft-synthetic-blend-transmission-fluid-mercon-v-1-quart/merconv/4487697](https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/motorcraft-4335/performance-16477/oil--sealers---additives-16820/transmission-fluid-25268/f5199ac1d33a/motorcraft-synthetic-blend-transmission-fluid-mercon-v-1-quart/merconv/4487697) - Full Syn by Valvoline Multi vehicle ATF Mercon V [https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/maxlife-5150/engine-parts---mounts-16774/transmission---transaxle-16780/transmissions-25099/at-fluid---vehicle-specific-13555/61bd9d474444/valvoline-maxlife-synthetic-transmission-fluid-1-quart/maxlifed/4773348?q=valvoline+Multi-Vehicle+atf&pos=2](https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/maxlife-5150/engine-parts---mounts-16774/transmission---transaxle-16780/transmissions-25099/at-fluid---vehicle-specific-13555/61bd9d474444/valvoline-maxlife-synthetic-transmission-fluid-1-quart/maxlifed/4773348?q=valvoline+Multi-Vehicle+atf&pos=2) They used Motorcrft on my car - when should I do the next service? Should I do it sooner since it was Syn blend? They tried getting the Valvoline but O’Reilly delivered the conventional oil: [https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/valvoline-5149/engine-parts---mounts-16774/transmission---transaxle-16780/transmissions-25099/at-fluid---vehicle-specific-13555/61bd9d474444/valvoline-conventional-transmission-fluid-1-quart/merconv/4773329?q=mercon+v&pos=0](https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/valvoline-5149/engine-parts---mounts-16774/transmission---transaxle-16780/transmissions-25099/at-fluid---vehicle-specific-13555/61bd9d474444/valvoline-conventional-transmission-fluid-1-quart/merconv/4773329?q=mercon+v&pos=0) ---
**Author:** ![crusty-XII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@crusty-XII](https://community.cartalk.com/u/crusty-XII)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 3:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/14 "2019-10-21T15:33:29Z")
it just feels smoother, to me anyway… ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/15 "2019-10-21T16:17:31Z")
> [@Whitey](#): > > When my car was new, I would _swear_ it ran smoother after an oil change, When I was a kid, there was a car-wash in town that displayed a prominent sign: _ **A Clean Car Runs Better!** _ 😏 ---
**Author:** ![Scrapyard-John](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Scrapyard-John](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrapyard-John)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-oil-change-flush/150261/16 "2019-10-21T19:34:41Z")
Years ago, I spent a few hours power washing the underside of a 79 cj5 I owned. I swear it ran better afterwards. And, maybe it did! There was 20 years of mud and grease caked on, and packed inside the boxed frame. So if I knocked off 100 lbs of grime…maybe it actually did have slightly more power vs weight. Sigh…good times. I was soaking wet and grimy after that. But no worries! Vinyl seats and no top. Just take off your shirt and air dry as you drive it home.