To get air out of your power steering system, run a hose from the bleed valve for the power steering reservoir to a drain pan beside the car. Then, with the engine off, slowly turn the steering wheel from side to side—this will work out any air pockets.

Today, more and more cars are being manufactured with electronic power steering systems (EPS), instead of traditional hydraulic systems. That being said, there are still plenty of cars on the road that use hydraulic power steering.

To keep your hydraulic power steering system running properly (and that you’re safe while driving), you need to remove any trapped air in your power steering fluid whenever you notice it. This might sound like a complicated project, but it’s actually very simple!

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How do air bubbles get into your power steering system?

Air bubbles can form in your power steering system in several ways. Most commonly, air pockets form as the result of a leak in one of the steering fluid pressure hoses, a crack in the fluid reservoir, or improper automotive maintenance.

The trouble with having air bubbles in your power steering system is that it’s very easy to miss the warning signs. Often, drivers are completely unaware that they have a serious problem with air in their steering system.

The symptoms of air bubbles in your steering system are very subtle (unless you’re experiencing severe ps pump damage or an engine fire). Fortunately, you can catch the early warning signs if you keep a keen eye out.

Any time that you’ve been parked in one place for an extended period, check underneath your car for puddles of liquid—that’s a dead giveaway that your car is leaking some kind of fluid.

However, this isn’t a perfectly clear indicator, since it could be coolant or transmission fluid that you’re leaking—both of which would cause their own separate issues from power steering fluid.

The best way to diagnose an issue with trapped air in the steering system is to check the power steering fluid level. If it’s low, you have a leak—and therefore, air pockets.

While you’re checking the fluid level, also glance into the reservoir and see if the fluid looks foamy or frothy. And, you can also keep an ear open for any grinding or groaning sounds when you take a turn—that’s a sure sign that your steering fluid is low or there’s air in the system.

MORE: How to check and add power steering fluid

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How to remove air from your power steering system, step-by-step

The good news is that once you know there’s air in your power steering system, it’s very simple and easy to bleed it out!

All you need is a length of hose, a drain pan, and some fresh power steering fluid. The hose needs to be clean, air-tight, and have the same diameter as your car’s bleeder valve—which we’ll discuss in a minute.

Once you have all the equipment that you need, you’ll need to do the following:

Run a hose from the reservoir to a drain pan

Under the hood of your car, you’ll find the power steering fluid reservoir. Many cars have it to the far right side of the engine bay, but the exact location will vary from one model to another. It will have a cap that’s clearly labeled—so it shouldn’t be too tricky to find.

When you’ve found the reservoir, you’ll need to locate the small valve on the steering box where you can attach your hose—that’s called the bleed valve or bleeder valve. Attach the hose to the bleed valve and run it away from the car into a drain pan.

Use the steering wheel to squeeze the excess air out of the system

Once you have your hose set up, turn the bleed valve slightly to allow air through. Next, get into the driver’s seat of your car. Insert the key and partially turn it so that the car’s electrical systems are on, but the engine hasn’t started. You can’t bleed the system with the engine running.

Now, you’ll need to slowly and steadily turn the steering wheel lock to lock. You’ll want to repeat this process about 10 to 15 times—that should be more than enough to work all the air pockets out of your power steering system.

Remove the hose and top off the reservoir

Once you’ve turned the wheel all the way from side to side 10-15 times, turn the key all the way to the off position and get out of the car.

Working the air out of the steering system will also have drained some of the steering fluid, which is why the drain pan is important.

Remove the reservoir cap and recheck the fluid level. You’ll almost certainly need to add some more to top it off, but also check to see if there are any remaining bubbles. If there are, repeat the previous step until the bubbles are gone.

When you’re satisfied that the air pockets are completely gone, seal the bleed valve, remove the hose, top the reservoir off one last time (if needed), and replace the power steering fluid reservoir cap.

After following these steps, you should have a bubble-free steering system! Of course, it may only be a temporary fix—if the air pockets were initially caused by a fluid line leak, and that leak hasn’t been repaired, you’ll end up with more bubbles before long.

That’s why it’s often a good idea to identify the cause of your air pockets before taking the time to remove them.

You should also take a slow drive around the block, turning slowly, after bleeding your power steering system—that will help warm up the system and get the fluid circulating even better.

MORE:

Power steering pressure hose replacement cost

Find hassle-free car insurance

Having air pockets in your power steering system can lead to some pretty serious vehicle damages. But with a little bit of vigilance and a DIY attitude, you can avoid those problems for the most part.

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FAQs

What happens if there is air in the power steering?

If there are air pockets in your power steering system and they’re left untreated for too long, it could cause steering problems, severe damage to your power steering pump—or even engine fires, in severe cases.

How do you know if there is air in the power steering system?

It’s easy to miss the warning signs of power steering air pockets. If you listen closely while driving, however, you’ll hear the tell-tale groaning when you turn the steering wheel.

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