Car care · Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center · Elgin, IL
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Whether you can check power steering fluid depends on the kind of power steering your vehicle has. Some trucks and older vehicles use hydraulic power steering with a fluid reservoir; many newer vehicles use electric power steering instead. This guide uses the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual as a hydraulic example and the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual and 2026 Toyota Corolla Owner's Manual as electric examples.
Engine offand cold, on level ground
Only ifleak, noise or poor assist
No flusheschemicals can damage parts
Electric?many newer cars
The short answer
If your vehicle has hydraulic power steering, check the fluid with the engine cold and off and the vehicle on a level surface, add only the manufacturer's recommended fluid to the proper indicated level, do not overfill, and wipe up any spills. The 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual says a check at a set interval is not required: check only if you suspect a leak, hear abnormal noises, or the steering is not working as expected. Many newer vehicles, including the 2026 Ram 1500 and 2026 Toyota Corolla, use electric power steering instead.
First, find out which kind of power steering you have
The 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual describes a hydraulic power steering system with a power steering pump, a reservoir and power steering fluid. By contrast, the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual describes electric power steering, and the 2026 Toyota Corolla Owner's Manual lists an electric power steering (EPS) system with its own warning light.
Your owner's manual will tell you which one your vehicle has. The 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual has a power steering fluid check and lists a fluid for the power steering reservoir; the 2026 Ram 1500 and 2026 Toyota Corolla manuals have no power steering fluid check.
From the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual (Hydraulic Power Steering; Chassis Fluids And Lubricants), the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (publication 104308_26_DT, edition E2; Power Steering, pages 72 to 73) and the 2026 Toyota Corolla Owner's Manual (publication OM12W27U; warning lights, pages 71 and 350), read November 4, 2026.
When to check power steering fluid
Less often than you might think. The 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual says checking the power steering fluid level at a defined service interval is not required. It says the fluid should only be checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as anticipated, and it suggests coordinating inspection through an authorized dealer.
So the triggers to watch for are a fluid leak under the front of the vehicle, a new whine or groan when you turn the wheel, or steering that suddenly feels heavy.
From the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual (Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid Check), read November 4, 2026.
How to check it, step by step
Based on the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual:
1. Park on a level surface
The manual says to check the fluid level on a level surface for an accurate reading.
2. Engine off and cold
Check the fluid level when the engine is cold and off, to prevent injury from moving parts and to get an accurate reading.
3. Read the level
Look at the fluid level in the power steering reservoir against the proper indicated level.
4. Add the right fluid if needed
If necessary, add fluid to restore it to the proper indicated level, using only the manufacturer's recommended power steering fluid.
5. Do not overfill
The manual warns not to overfill the reservoir.
6. Wipe up spills
With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all surfaces.
From the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual (Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid Check), read November 4, 2026. If the level keeps dropping, the system may have a leak; have it inspected.
Which power steering fluid to use
Use what your owner's manual specifies. For the power steering reservoir, the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual recommends Mopar Power Steering Fluid +4 or Mopar ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid. Other makes specify their own fluids, so check your manual or the reservoir cap before adding anything.
The manual also says not to use chemical flushes in the power steering system, because the chemicals can damage power steering components, and that such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
From the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual (Chassis Fluids And Lubricants; Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid Check), read November 4, 2026.
Noises and steering effort: what is normal
Some sounds are normal on a hydraulic system. The 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual says increased noise at the end of the steering wheel travel is normal, and that on initial start-up in cold weather the power steering pump may make noise for a short time because of the cold, thick fluid. It adds that holding the wheel at the end of its travel for a long time raises the steering fluid temperature, should be avoided when possible, and may damage the pump.
If power assist is lost, you can still steer, but with a substantial increase in steering effort, especially at very low speeds and when parking, according to the same manual.
From the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual (Hydraulic Power Steering), read November 4, 2026.
If your vehicle has electric power steering
There is no power steering fluid check in the 2026 Ram 1500 or 2026 Toyota Corolla manuals; both describe electric power steering. Instead, watch the dashboard. The 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual says a Service Power Steering or Power Steering Assist Off message with the electric power steering warning icon means the vehicle needs service, and that if the Power Steering System Over Temp message appears, you should pull over when it is safe and let the vehicle idle until the icon and message turn off. The 2026 Toyota Corolla Owner's Manual says its EPS warning light indicates a malfunction in the electric power steering system and that you should have the vehicle inspected.
Both kinds of system still steer if the assist stops working, but the Ram manual notes the steering effort increases substantially, especially at low speeds and when parking.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Power Steering, pages 72 to 73) and the 2026 Toyota Corolla Owner's Manual (warning lights, page 350), read November 4, 2026.
Steering service at Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center
Our service department works on all makes and models. If you see a fluid leak, hear a new noise when you turn, or the steering feels heavy or a power steering warning comes on, tell us what you noticed and our technicians will take a look.
Our service department at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Schedule service, see our service specials or get directions.
Power steering fluid FAQ
How often should I check power steering fluid?
The 2022 Ram 2500/3500 manual says checking it at a defined service interval is not required; check it if you suspect a leak, hear abnormal noises, or the steering is not working as expected. Follow your own owner's manual.
Should the engine be running when I check power steering fluid?
No. The 2022 Ram 2500/3500 manual says to check the level with the engine cold and off, on a level surface.
What power steering fluid should I use?
Only the fluid your manufacturer recommends. For example, the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 manual recommends Mopar Power Steering Fluid +4 or Mopar ATF+4.
Can I overfill power steering fluid?
You should not. The 2022 Ram 2500/3500 manual says do not overfill, and to wipe any spilled fluid from all surfaces.
Does my car have power steering fluid?
Only if it has hydraulic power steering. Many newer vehicles, such as the 2026 Ram 1500 and 2026 Toyota Corolla, have electric power steering, and their manuals have no power steering fluid check.
Is a whining noise when turning normal?
Some noise is. The 2022 Ram 2500/3500 manual says more noise at the end of steering wheel travel and brief pump noise on a cold start are normal. A new or ongoing noise is a reason to check the fluid and have the system inspected.
What are your service hours?
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are closed Sunday.
Steering feels heavy or noisy?
Schedule service at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin and tell us what you noticed.
Sources
Procedures and fluid guidance are from the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual (HTML edition), used as a hydraulic power steering example, and the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (publication 104308_26_DT, edition E2) and 2026 Toyota Corolla Owner's Manual (publication OM12W27U), used as electric power steering examples; all read November 4, 2026. Steering systems and fluids differ by vehicle, so follow your own owner's manual. Service hours are from our service page, checked the same day.
- 2022 Ram 2500/3500 Owner's Manual (Hydraulic Power Steering; Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid Check; Chassis Fluids And Lubricants), Ram / Mopar, read November 4, 2026
- 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Power Steering), Ram / Mopar, read November 4, 2026
- 2026 Toyota Corolla Owner's Manual (Electric power steering system warning light), Toyota, read November 4, 2026
- Service department and service hours, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center
- Home page: address and all makes and models, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center