How to Replace Power Steering Fluid For a 2017 Nissan Altima

Follow these steps to replace your 2017 Nissan Altima’s power steering fluid: remove the black reservoir cap, drain out the old fluid and refill it with new fluid.
Written by Elaine Yang
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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If you want to replace your 2017 Nissan Altima’s power steering fluid, remove the black reservoir cap, drain the current fluid and refill the reservoir with new Prestone fluid. Look for the power steering reservoir near the left-hand side of the engine. 
It can be embarrassing if you’re on the road and your car starts screeching when you make a left turn. And if you’re having trouble turning your steering wheel, it might be time to replace your
Nissan’s
power steering fluid. 
Jerry
, the
car insurance
comparison app had compiled a guide to changing your 2017 Nissan Altima’s power steering fluid. Stick around till the end to find out how you can save some money on your
Nissan Altima insurance costs
!
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How do I replace my 2017 Nissan Altima’s power steering fluid?

A power steering fluid flush is pretty easy and straightforward, but make sure you follow these steps: 
  • Locate the power steering reservoir. It should be near the lefthand side of the hood with a black cap. The reservoir itself will be triangular in shape. Clean off the reservoir to prevent debris from falling in. 
  • Take the black cap off and insert a pump into the reservoir. Feel free to use anything to siphon the old fluid out of the reservoir—a shampoo pump or turkey baster works just fine! 
  • Siphon the old fluid out of the reservoir. You can use a container to catch any fluid and prevent it from making a mess inside the engine. 
  • Refill the reservoir with new fluid and replace the cap
And you’re all set! If you’re a grease monkey and don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty, follow these extra steps to do a complete power steering fluid flush: 
  • Disconnect the fluid line.
  • Move the steering wheel back and forth. When you do this, all of the old power steering fluid in the steering system will be drained out of the car. 
Don’t worry if you’re not comfortable with getting your hands dirty—just
take your car to a repair shop or mobile mechanic
MORE: How to check and add power steering fluid

Should I change it myself or take it to a mechanic?

There are advantages and disadvantages to taking your Nissan to the mechanic and doing the fluid flush yourself. However, the bottom line is that a repair shop will ensure that the replacement is done properly.
Power steering fluid service
will only take an hour and will cost you about $120 for the mechanic’s labor.
However, if you’d like to save some money, feel free to do it yourself! You won’t need to cover the mechanic’s labor, and will only need to pay around $10 to $20 for the power steering fluid. 

Which power steering fluid is best for a 2017 Nissan Altima?

There are so many power steering fluid options nowadays that it can be tough to pick out the best one for your Nissan. We recommend
Prestone’s power steering fluid
because it’s compatible with many brands, like
Honda
,
Toyota
,
Lexus
, and
Infiniti
You can’t go wrong with these options:
Power steering fluid
Amount
Cost
Prestone PSF
12 ounces
$12.99
Peak Full Synthetic Asian
12 ounces
$16.49
Idemitsu Lubricants
12 ounces
$5.51
Pentosin ATF 44
5 liters (170 ounces)
$71.99
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When do I need to replace my 2017 Nissan Altima’s power steering fluid?

You should be changing your 2017 Nissan Altima’s power steering fluid every three years or 30,000 miles. This way, you won’t run into any hiccups with your Nissan’s steering system while you’re on the road. 
Since there’s always a chance that you might need to change your power steering fluid ahead of schedule, keep an eye out for these signs: 
  • Noises like screeching or squeaking when you turn your steering wheel
  • Difficulty turning your steering wheel
  • There are bubbles in your power steering fluid
  • You notice leakage from the power steering reservoir
  • Color change from clear to yellow
This replacement isn’t just a simple way to make your driving experience smoother, but it also extends your Nissan’s lifespan! If you decide to do the replacement yourself, make sure to follow a
basic car maintenance schedule
to prevent damaging your vehicle. 

How to save money on a 2017 Nissan Altima

If you’re looking to save on your Nissan,
Jerry
, the insurance comparison app can help you find the best policy for your needs!
A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding
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FAQs

Yes! You’ll save some money on labor costs so just follow these steps: remove the black reservoir cap, drain out the old fluid and refill it with new fluid.
Mechanics recommend that your change your 2017 Nissan Altima’s power steering fluid every three years or 30,000 miles. If you’re having trouble with your steering system, it might be a sign that you need to change it out earlier than expected.
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