Nissan Maxima Power Steering Fluid
Want to save money by changing your own Nissan Maxima power steering fluid? We’ve got you covered.
Written by Matthew Lynaugh
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Your Nissan Maxima’s power steering fluid should be replaced every 50,000 miles to keep the car at peak performance. You can save hundreds of dollars by performing this job yourself instead of taking your Maxima into the shop—you just need to learn how.
An essential yet oft-forgotten maintenance task, changing your power steering fluid keeps your steering smooth and your wheel from locking up.
If you’re interested in eliminating this recurring mechanic bill, we’ve got you covered.
Jerry
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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+ driversWhat type of power steering fluid does Nissan Maxima use?
The internal driving system of the car will call for the specific type of power steering fluid it needs. Some will be more compatible than others, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for the ones that ensure the proper operation of your Maxima.
Made by Nissan, exclusively for Nissans,
Genuine Nissan 999MP-AG000P Power Steering Fluid
is the optimal choice for your Maxima. This is the original steering fluid put into your car when it was being manufactured and the best option to keep it running like new.If you’re in a pinch, though, we have some alternative options for you to consider:
- Prestone Power Steering Fluid + Stop Leak($9.69 for 32 oz.)
- Peak Full Synthetic Asian Power Steering Fluid($14.02 for 12 oz.)
MORE: Why does my steering wheel shake, and how do I fix it?
How to change Nissan Maxima power steering fluid
Learning how to perform your own
power steering fluid service
can save you serious time and money. Thankfully, it’s a relatively simple process that you’ll be able to pick up in no time.- A suction device, like a syringe or vacuum pump. Other household items like a shampoo bottle or turkey baster will also work
- Power steering fluid
- Pliers
- A rag or paper towels
- Car jacks
Step 1: Pop your Maxima’s hood and locate the power steering reservoir on the passenger side of the engine bay. Use your pump or household pump to extract all the fluid from the reservoir.
Step 2: Refill the power steering fluid reservoir about halfway with the proper fluid type and then replace the reservoir’s cap.
Step 3: Disconnect your power steering line by loosening the set of clams with your pliers. After they are disconnected, bleed the power steering system of any residual fluid.
Step 4: Test the power steering system by turning your keys to the “on” position in the ignition, but not starting the engine. Next, slowly turn your steering wheel fully to the right, then fully to the left.
Repeat this process a few times to force the fresh fluid to make its way through the steering system.
Step 5: Reconnect the power steering hose, fill up the reservoir to the fill line, and let the engine run. While the engine is idling, make sure there are no fluid leaks.
If you don’t see any leaks, you’re good to go! When you take your Maxina for its next spin, you should notice smoother steering thanks to the fresh fluid.
What is the power steering fluid change interval for a Nissan Maxima?
Nissan advises changing your power steering fluid every 50,000 miles or every two years, whichever comes first.
In between these change intervals, be on the lookout for these signs of contaminated fluid or a leak:
- Trouble turning the steering wheel
- Steering feels loose
- Unfamiliar groaning sounds under the hood when turning the steering wheel
- The power steering fluid has turned brown or black
You know your power steering fluid is in good shape if it is an amber or clear pink color. It is a good idea to periodically check the status of your fluid, especially if you notice any of the issues listed above.
How to save on Nissan Maxima insurance
Staying on top of routine maintenance tasks, like changing your power steering fluid, can keep your Maxima on the road for many miles to come.
But there’s no saying what can happen during all that time, which is why you’ll want to use
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