You can replace your 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee power steering fluid by pumping the old fluid out of the reservoir and replacing it with clean fluid. The power steering fluid reservoir sits on the driver's side of the engine bay and usually has a black cap.
If you’ve noticed your steering wheel getting less responsive or if you just haven’t replaced your power steering fluid since you’ve owned your car, it’s probably time. The good news is that you can save on labor fees by changing the fluid yourself.
In this guide from Jerry
—a licensed broker
and insurance comparison app that saves you money on your car insurance
—we will cover how to replace your power steering fluid, what type of fluid you need, and how to tell when it’s time for a power steering fluid change. How do I replace my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s power steering fluid?
Replacing your 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s power steering fluid is pretty straightforward and definitely a job you can do at home if you have the time and want to save some cash. Here are the steps for a basic power steering fluid replacement (not a full flush):
Locate the power steering reservoir: Look for a reservoir on the driver’s side engine bay with a black cap and a steering wheel symbol.
Remove the cap and insert a pump into the reservoir: The pump can be any (clean) household tool that pumps out fluids like a soap pump or a baster.
Pump the old fluid out of the reservoir. Grab a container and start pumping. Don’t forget to clean up any mess you make in the engine bay when you’re done.
Refill the reservoir with new fluid and replace the cap. There are fill lines on the side of the reservoir; it’s a good idea to double-check the fill level after you drive around a bit.
That’s all there is to it. If you want to go the extra mile, you can do a full flush of the system by putting your car on jack stands, disconnecting the fluid lines, and letting the lines drain. If you do this, after refilling the tank, make sure to turn the steering wheel through its full range of motion for a few minutes to work any air out of the lines before taking your car off the jack stands. Air in the power fluid lines can lead to unsafe driving conditions.
Of course, if you prefer not to get your hands dirty or don’t have the time, you can take your car to a mechanic
or Jeep dealership. MORE: How to check and add power steering fluid
Should I change it myself or take it to a mechanic?
Taking your Jeep to a mechanic is a sure-fire way to ensure your power steering fluid was flushed properly. Plus, you’ll save the time and hassle of having to do it yourself. The average cost of a power steering fluid flush is about $120.
That said, if you want to save a hundred bucks, have some spare time, and are confident in your abilities to do it correctly, then a power steering fluid change is a great DIY job.
Which power steering fluid is best for a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
There are plenty of options for your 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee power steering fluid. Jeep recommends “MOPAR hydraulic fluid or equivalent meeting MS-1655” for the 3.6-liter engine and “MOPAR power steering fluid +4, MOPAR ATF +4 automatic transmission fluid or equivalent” for the 5.7-liter engine Grand Cherokee.
Here are a few options we like:
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Prestone American Vehicle PSF | | |
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Peak Full Synthetic North American PSF | | |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Pro Tip Make sure the power steering fluid you choose is compatible with Jeep vehicles!
When do I need to replace my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s power steering fluid?
Expert opinions vary considerably about the change interval for power steering fluid, and Jeep doesn’t specify a time frame in the owner’s manual (though it wouldn’t hurt to check yours). Some say you should change it as frequently as every 30,000 miles, while some say as much as 80,000 miles. One consistent thing, though, is that you should change it no less than every three years.
Obviously, 30,000 to 80,000 miles is a huge range. Opting for more frequent changes will ensure your power steering fluid never gets too gunked up. It’s also good practice to regularly check for signs that it’s time for a replacement, such as:
Strange noises when you turn your steering wheel
Bubbles in your power steering fluid reservoir
Color changes from clear to yellow fluid.
Regularly changing your car's lubricants is one of the essential of a car maintenance schedule
and doesn’t just make driving safer but also extends the lifespan of your Jeep. How to save money on Jeep insurance
If you are thinking about changing your power steering fluid to save money, you’ll probably be interested to hear how you can save hundreds of dollars per year on your Jeep Grand Cherokee car insurance cost
with the Jerry
app. Jerry is an insurance super app designed to make it as easy as possible to compare insurance quotes. It’s generally accepted that gathering as many quotes as possible is the best way to save money on car insurance
. Doing yourself usually takes hours and involves filling out numerous forms or making lengthy phone calls. With Jerry, you just need to sign up, and the app will filter through top insurance companies to show you a tailored list of the cheapest policies available that meet your needs. To make things as easy as possible, after sorting through the list of free quotes, when you find a policy you like, you can complete all of the paperwork through the app!
“Amazing service! Jerry
helped me get insurance for the first time. Everything went smoothly without a hitch. I couldn’t ask for more!” —Tasha F.
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