If it’s time to replace the power steering fluid in your 2014 Nissan Pathfinder, consider saving money (and a trip to the mechanic) by changing it yourself at home. Here’s how to do it.
A stiff steering wheel, squeaky turns, and trouble maneuvering into tight parking spaces are among the tell-tale signs that your car’s power steering fluid needs replacing. The good news is, changing it yourself at home is pretty easy (if you’ve ever changed your car’s oil before, you should be good).
Here to break down the steps to changing your Pathfinder’s power steering fluid is 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+ drivers How do I replace my 2014 Nissan Pathfinder’s power steering fluid?
Your Pathfinder’s power steering fluid won’t need to be changed very often—but when it’s time to replace it, you can do so easily by following these steps:
Locate your power steering reservoir underneath your hood. In this model, you’ll find the reservoir on the passenger’s side of the vehicle, to the left of your engine coolant reservoir. Make sure your engine is shut off and cooled down before attempting to access the reservoir.
Remove the cap and insert a pump. You can use household items (like a syringe or turkey baster) to siphon out the old fluid—or you can purchase a gear pump for cheap to get the job done.
Pump out the old power steering fluid. This step will take the longest, so be patient! Make sure you have a container on hand to catch any excess fluid.
Refill the reservoir with new fluid and replace the cap.
And that’s it! Once you’ve replaced the power steering fluid in your Nissan Pathfinder, you’re ready to roll. If you’re looking to go the extra mile, you can add these additional steps:
Disconnect the fluid line.
Drain the system completely by having a friend wiggle the steering wheel back and forth quickly. This will help squeeze out those last few drops of old fluid.
While replacing your car’s power steering fluid, check your fluid lines for any cracks or leaks and ensure everything is connected correctly.
MORE: How to check and add power steering fluid
Should I change it myself or take it to a mechanic?
You can always set up an appointment with your local mechanic or dealership to have a power steering fluid service
completed by a professional. After all, a mechanic is always your best bet if you want to be confident that the job’s done right! But you’ll also have to pay for the cost of materials and labor—in this case, you’ll face a bill of about $140. On the other hand, if you feel like you can handle following the steps above, you can save over $100 by replacing the power steering fluid at home—all you’ll need to pay for is the $10 to $20 bottle of fluid.
Which power steering fluid is best for a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder?
Speaking of buying power steering fluid—what kind should you use in your Pathfinder? According to manufacturer recommendation, the best power steering fluid for your car is Genuine Nissan E-PSF, which you can purchase on Amazon
for around $23. If you can’t get your hands on the Nissan genuine article, try using one of these instead: | | |
|---|
| | |
Valvoline Dexron IV/Mercon LV ATF | | |
| | |
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Pro Tip In 2014 Nissan Pathfinders, you can use some automatic transmission fluid (ATF) brands in place of power steering fluid.
When do I need to replace my 2014 Nissan Pathfinder’s power steering fluid?
We’ve covered how to replace your power steering fluid and which type of PSF is best for your car—but just how often should you be changing it?
The answer is every 30,000 miles or three years (whichever comes first). In some cases, you may not have to change it until closer to 60,000 miles, but in other cases, the power steering fluid may need replacing even sooner. Watch out for these tell-tale signs that it’s time for a change:
Unusual noises (whining, screeching, etc.) when turning the wheel
Difficulty steering or parking
A change in fluid color from clear to yellow
Bubbles in your power steering fluid
Ultimately, the best way to stay on top of your power steering fluid is to check the levels often. If you can, incorporate regular checks into your car maintenance routine
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