WTF is power steering fluid...and why is it empty?????

Do NOT fill your power steering at the garage!

That is IMHO very bad advice! Automatic Transmission Fluid (the stuff they sell as powersteering fluid at the service station) will only eat your steering rack seals for breakfast and make the problem worse! Trust me, been there done that... huge mistake. You do NOT want to pay for a new Steering rack which is R5000 from VW.

Rather go to your nearest Goldwagen (cheaper) / or a VW service centre and ask for the proper powersteering fluid for your VW. It should be VW Hydraulic Fluid Spec G 002 000.

Or take your chances with R5000 at the service station...
 
bawrak,

the one thing i do know is to always ask for the most expensive of the appropriate stuff(oil, breakfluid, etc) when buying at a garage.

The cheap stuff is a problem.

Otherwise if that's such a concern to you, buy direct from VW, drive around a corner & fill it up yourself.

Just don't over fill that stuff is what i was told.
 
bawrak said:
Do NOT fill your power steering at the garage!

That is IMHO very bad advice! Automatic Transmission Fluid (the stuff they sell as powersteering fluid at the service station) will only eat your steering rack seals for breakfast and make the problem worse! Trust me, been there done that... huge mistake. You do NOT want to pay for a new Steering rack which is R5000 from VW.

Rather go to your nearest Goldwagen (cheaper) / or a VW service centre and ask for the proper powersteering fluid for your VW. It should be VW Hydraulic Fluid Spec G 002 000.

Or take your chances with R5000 at the service station...
Click to expand...

I've been filling my PS fluid at garages since 2001 and I have never had a problem.


You must work for VW
 
mmm I just had a brain wave....a close friend of mine works for a company that brings in the spare parts for VW. Her dad owns it....gonna ask her if she can get me the proper VW fluid like bawrak said. And she is gay so sure she can help me fill it also! hehe. Yay. Gonna phone her now and ask if they have this magical fluid for me :-)
 
Or, what commonly happens is, the monkies at petrol stations are taught to "take out dipstick, wipe, check level"... In a way, everyone needs a refill :p (they tried to do it to my friend once).
 
Unlike engine oil, the car needs to be running/idling when checking the transmission oil.

You car was obviously switched off at the garage.

Ockie! Drive your car a bit and check for yourself but leave the car on.
 
UnUnOctium said:
Or, what commonly happens is, the monkies at petrol stations are taught to "take out dipstick, wipe, check level"... In a way, everyone needs a refill :p (they tried to do it to my friend once).
Click to expand...

as you drive the liquid moves.....

take out, wipe, dip, take out, check - is the correct way....
 
Yay.....just spoke to my friend and she said she will take a can of it home tomorrow and I must just come past her and she will fill it for me. :-)

Wont the fluid work better if we put some KY in there also....you know...just to make it extra slippery? Bet I will be able to throw a 180 turn like nothing else with some KY in there also hehehe.
 
Keeper said:
I've been filling my PS fluid at garages since 2001 and I have never had a problem.


You must work for VW
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's probably why I referred him to Goldwagen then... :wtf:

The mere fact that you keep filling your fluid "since 2001" means that ATF is obviously not working for your rack ;) ! You are NOT supposed to fill it at all - it's a closed system. If you fill it, it means that there is a leak (most probably at your steering rack).

G002 Spec is a synthetic oil and not mineral oil like ATF. It is designed to keep for the life of the car / steering rack...

But don't take my word for it look in your service manual for the correct fluid spec...
 
PythonFSi said:
Unlike engine oil, the car needs to be running/idling when checking the transmission oil.

You car was obviously switched off at the garage.

Ockie! Drive your car a bit and check for yourself but leave the car on.
Click to expand...

/facepalm - power steering you idot!

Disregard this statement!

I had too much to drink!
 
Thanks to everyone here....Python, ChilliBitch, Keeper etc etc. You guys are great. A gay guy getting car advice on a IT forum. Aint the interwebz just the bestest! *grin*

hugzies :-)
 
ocleroux said:
mmm I just had a brain wave....a close friend of mine works for a company that brings in the spare parts for VW. Her dad owns it....gonna ask her if she can get me the proper VW fluid like bawrak said. And she is gay so sure she can help me fill it also! hehe. Yay. Gonna phone her now and ask if they have this magical fluid for me :-)
Click to expand...
Good idea. The VW power steering fluid wouldn't be too expensive in any case.

To top up is easy - just unscrew the light green cap with the little steering wheel icon, which should be to the left and slightly below battery level in the engine bay. Fill up until the fluid is level with the top of the "pattern" on the dipstick. Just monitor the level after topping up as ChilliGirl mentioned. If it drops again, then you can have someone look for leaks.

Oh yes, keep the wheels straight when checking the level.
 
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it's like R30 for a bottle... go buy from Goldwagen. and fill yourself
 
GforceD said:
It's a conspiracy thier is no such thing as power steering fluid its just old oil they sell from oil changes they connect the power steering fluid bottle to your exhaust so ocasionally it releases some liquid and makes your car spew out smoke so you can take it in for a so called "service". When really its little fairies and elves that actually handle the power steering.
And don't even get me started on the troll,orge/brake pad cover up.
Click to expand...

:wtf:

Jou praats cark boet, LOL :D

If the car's still under the warranty/service plan, then take it to VW to check. If not, follow Keeper's suggestion
 
I used to have a car with a leaky power steering fluid receptacle. Every couple of days it would drain out and the car would make this horrific squealing noise when I turned the wheel. I loved that old thing.
 
Had my steering rack done on my 2005 Polo, it's R6k for the steering rack and another R6k for the pump which they claimed was also going which might've been true cause it was squealing about 3 months later... Took it in for a major service and they topped up everything no more squeal hmmm?? Oh also the fluid is R150 from VW and is greeny in colour and is quite a lot for the amount you actually put in.
 
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