How to Replace Power Steering Fluid For a 2008 Pontiac G6

If you drive a 2008 Pontiac G6 GXP, G6 GT, or a G6 with a 4-cylinder engine, you will need to change your power steering fluid regularly. Click here to learn more.
Written by Andrew Biro
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
A 2008 Pontiac G6’s power steering fluid can be replaced either by fully flushing the old fluid from the reservoir or by using a pump to remove the fluid and then refilling the reservoir with new Prestone Synthetic MAX American fluid. The 2008 Pontiac G6’s power steering fluid reservoir has a black cap with a steering wheel printed on it and sits behind the air intake hose.
If your steering wheel ever starts to emit a high-pitched screeching noise when turned or if steering becomes difficult, chances are it’s time to change your power steering fluid. This integral component serves to lubricate the inner mechanisms of your steering system to make steering reliable and smooth—not all 2008 Pontiac G6s, however, use power steering fluid.
To help determine whether or not your G6 uses power steering fluid—and if it does, how to change it—
Jerry
, the
trustworthy super app
for car insurance, has put together the following guide detailing everything you need to know about purchasing, using, and replacing your 2008 Pontiac G6’s power steering fluid.
Need tips on how to lower your
Pontiac car insurance costs
? Jerry can help with that, too!
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Which 2008 Pontiac G6 options use power steering fluid?

You may be surprised to learn that not every 2008 Pontiac G6 uses power steering fluid—those with four-cylinder engines, for instance, have an electronic power steering (EPS) system, rather than the standard hydraulic, and do not require power steering fluid.
The 2008 Pontiac G6 GXP, G6 GT, and those G6s with a six-cylinder engine, on the other hand, use the traditional hydraulic power steering system and require power steering fluid.
To avoid any possible confusion, consult the table below to see if your 2008 Pontiac G6 uses power steering fluid:
Vehicle Style/Engine Type
Does it use PSF?
4-cylinder engines
No
6-cylinder engines
Yes
G6 GXP
Yes
G6 GT
Yes
For the sake of consistency, the remainder of this article will deal only with those G6s that require power steering fluid.
MORE: Pontiac G6 V6

How do I replace my 2008 Pontiac G6’s power steering fluid?

If you drive a 2008 Pontiac G6 that does use power steering fluid, you’ll need to change it regularly. Here’s an overview of the process: 
  1. Find the power steering reservoir
  2. Unscrew the cap to the power steering reservoir
  3. Insert a fluid pump into the reservoir and pump the old fluid out, into some sort of sealable container
  4. Fill the reservoir with new power steering fluid, measure to make sure enough was added, and screw the cap back on
Congratulations! You have successfully changed the power steering fluid in your 2008 Pontiac G6. If you want to be a little more thorough, you can detach the power steering fluid line and then drain the system completely to ensure all of it is removed.

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

Here’s the bottom line—if you want to be absolutely sure that your 2008 Pontiac G6’s power steering fluid is changed correctly, there’s no harm in taking it to a mechanic. They should be able to fully flush and replace the fluid in less than an hour and will charge you roughly $100 for the service.
But if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty and are dead-set on reducing your yearly vehicle-related expenses, go ahead and change the power steering fluid at home. You’ll end up spending $10 to $15 on the fluid itself.

Which power steering fluid is best for a 2008 Pontiac G6?

If you plan on replacing your 2008 Pontiac G6’s power steering fluid yourself, you’ll need to buy the right fluid. Fortunately, there are many brands that make a power steering fluid suitable for your vehicle. Here are three of our favorites:
Power steering fluid
Amount
Cost
Prestone PSF Anti-Wear 50,000 Miles
32 ounces
$9.69
Prestone MAX American 100K Miles
12 ounces
$12.99
Peak Full Synthetic North American PSF
12 ounces
$13.29
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
icon4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars
icon4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

When do I need to replace my 2008 Pontiac G6’s power steering fluid?

On average, you only need to change your 2008 Pontiac G6’s power steering fluid once every three to four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. This will ensure that your Pontiac’s steering system operates reliably and with relative ease.
That being said, you may end up having to change your power steering fluid before reaching this interval, especially if you start to notice any of the following symptoms:
  • Fluid changes from clear to yellow
  • Steering feels rough or becomes difficult
  • Fluid starts leaking
  • Bubbles form in your power steering fluid
  • Strange noises can be heard when the steering wheel is turned (squeaking, screeching, etc.)
Remember: using the right power steering fluid and changing said fluid at the recommended intervals will make driving that much easier and can even extend your vehicle’s lifespan. 

How to find affordable Pontiac insurance

Taking care of your vehicle’s routine maintenance at home is one of the easiest ways to save hundreds of dollars each year on your vehicle-related expenses. With licensed
car insurance
super app
Jerry
, you can easily save money on your
Pontiac G6 car insurance costs
as well.
As the #1 rated car insurance comparison app and broker in the country, Jerry makes shopping for affordable rates easier than ever before, saving the average user $800+ a year on their car insurance alone!
Simply download the app, answer a brief questionnaire, and in as little as 45-seconds Jerry will have compared dozens of competitive quotes from the nation’s top insurance providers in order to find you the best deals possible.
“As a young person who owns a sports car and a high-end sedan, I couldn’t find quotes below a certain threshold. By using
Jerry
, I managed to find full comprehensive coverage on both vehicles and saved $150 a month!” —Channing Y.
RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
avatar
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
rating primary
4.7/5 Rating on App Store

FAQs

If you own a 2008 Pontiac G6 with a 6-cylinder engine, a 2008 Pontiac G6 GXP, or a 2008 Pontiac G6 GT, you can replace the power steering fluid yourself. All you have to do is locate the power steering reservoir, unscrew the cap, pump/drain the old fluid, and refill it with the new Prestone Synthetic PSF.
As a general rule, you should change your 2008 Pontiac G6’s power steering fluid once every four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first—but you may need to change it sooner if you start having difficulty steering.
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
Try GarageGuard™

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings