Power steering fluid change

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Introduction

This short guide explains one of the methods on how to replace the power steering fluid in a Jimny 3 and 4 (and in most other vehicle models for that matter).

All Jimnys 1, 2 and some early Jimnys 3 do not have power steering. This article does not apply to them.

There is no predefined regular replacement interval for the power steering fluid change. It should be changed only when its color becomes much darker than the cherry red color of brand new power steering fluid.

in a Jimny (and in most other vehicle models for that matter

Procedure

This is the only risk-free way to perform a near-complete power steering fluid change in a Jimny:

1. Park the vehicle on an even ground and turn the engine OFF;
2. Open the power steering fluid reservoir tank;
3. Using a syringe, suck out as much as possible of the power steering fluid from the reservoir tank;
4. Replenish the missing quantity of fluid in the reservoir tank with new fluid;
5. Close the reservoir tank;
6. Drive the vehicle a bit (and use the steering wheel while doing so).

Then repeat this same procedure several times during the following days until the color of the power steering fluid in its reservoir tank becomes almost the same as the color of the brand new fluid.

Don't forget to pay respect to the environment regarding the disposal of the old fluid.

(Dis)advantages

The only disadvantage of this method is that it wastes excessive amounts of new power steering fluid.

However, the advantages are that it is dead simple to do (only a syringe and a parking lot are required) and there is no risk of introducing air in the system.

Required amount of new fluid

When using this method, the fluid capacity of the power steering system is irrelevant, as you will need as much new fluid as required to achieve near-identical fluid color in the system compared to the new fluid. That is the only rough indicator of the ratio of new vs. old fluid in the system.

You will need (I think) about three liters of new fluid to achieve a near-perfect flush in any Jimny. It is best to buy two liters at first, and if that proves to be insufficient for a relatively "clean" flush, then buy more fluid and do some more partial flushing.

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Page last edited on 13/04/2019 by user Bosanek