Whether you own a 2011 or 2022 Ram 2500, your truck uses a hydraulic power steering system that needs fluid changes every 3-4 years. Changing your fluid at your local mechanic can cost you over $100, but if you’re willing to do it yourself, this job will cost you as little as $10!

You may not think about it much, but your car’s hydraulic power steering system is one of the most important parts of your car. This system allows you to steer your car with ease, but it needs routine power steering fluid changes to make sure the system is correctly pressurized.

If it’s time to change your Ram 2500’s power steering fluid and you’d like to save some money, you’ve come to the right place.

Jerry

, the

licensed insurance broker

that specializes in finding

car insurance

savings, is here to walk you through everything you need to know about changing your Ram 2500’s power steering fluid yourself (and how to find the best

Ram 2500 insurance cost

Let’s get started!

$152

Average monthly payment reduction¹

2.97%

Average Interest rate improvement¹

$1,823

Average annual payment reduction¹

What type of power steering fluid does the Ram 2500 use?

The type of power steering fluid you use in your Ram 2500 depends on the specific model year you own. If you own a Ram 2500 from years 2013-2022, opt for either of these options depending on availability:

First choice:

Mopar Power Steering Fluid +4

($9.99 for 16 oz)

Alternative:

Mopar® ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid

($12.99 for 32 oz)

If you own a Ram 2500 from 2011 to 2012, look for these choices at your local auto shop:

First choice:

Mopar Power Steering Fluid +4

($9.99 for 16 oz)

Alternative:

Mopar® ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent ATF

($12.99 for 32 oz)

ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) isn’t the same thing as power steering fluid. That being said, they’re both hydraulic fluids and work as great alternatives in both of the above cases. Double-check your owner’s manual before using ATF as power steering fluid in your Ram 2500.

How to change a Ram 2500’s power steering fluid

Replacing your Ram 2500’s power steering fluid on a regular schedule is a must for keeping your truck in top condition. Unfortunately, this service can cost you at least $100 at the auto shop.

The good news is that a power steering fluid change is an easy

car maintenance

task to do at home, and it’ll only cost you about $10!

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

A syringe, pipette, or other pumping device

A container

A rubber cap or something you can use to cover the reservoir mouth

A funnel

Paper towels

Once you have the required items handy, follow these easy steps to change your Ram’s power steering fluid:

1. Using your pump device, remove all of the old power steering fluid you can manage. You’ll find the reservoir under your Ram’s hood on the passenger side of the engine bay.

2. Now, you’ll need to drain the remaining fluid. Unplug the return hose, which is the thinner of the power steering fluid hoses. Place the detached end in the container. Allow all of the remaining fluid to drain into the container.

3. Use the rubber cap to cover the opening of the return hose.

4. Using your funnel, add new power steering fluid to the reservoir until it reaches the max fill line.

5. Turn the engine on and keep your car in park. Then, turn your steering wheel all the way to the left, and back all the way to the right, or “from lock to lock,” a few times. This process allows any remaining power steering fluid to drain out.

6. Top up the reservoir and continue to turn your wheel from lock to lock. Once you see clean fluid come out of the return hose, you can turn your car off, remove the rubber cap, and reconnect the return line.

7. Refill the power steering fluid reservoir one last time before shutting the hood. Check the ground for any leaks.

Once you’ve completed all the steps, it’s time to take your Ram for a test drive around your neighborhood.

If your truck runs smoothly and turning your steering wheel is a breeze, you’ve successfully replaced your power steering fluid—nice work!

MORE:

Dodge tune-up cost

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

What is the power steering fluid change interval for a Dodge 2500?

To keep your Ram 2500 in tip-top shape, aim to flush and replace your truck’s power steering fluid every 3-4 years or every 50,000 to 75,000 miles—whichever comes first.

While this is a reliable timeframe, power steering fluid can become contaminated or could even start leaking before 3 to 4 years is up. To make sure your power steering fluid is in good shape, check on your fluid quality and levels on a routine basis.

Look for these signs that you need to replace your Ram 2500’s power steering fluid early:

Turning the steering wheel is hard

Your steering feels looser than usual

Groaning noises come from under the hood when you make a turn

Dark brown or black power steering fluid instead of a clear or light pink color

MORE: How to build a custom Dodge Ram 2500

How to save on Ram 2500 insurance

Staying on top of your regular maintenance, like power steering changes, contributes to the overall cost of owning a large truck like the Ram 2500—but insurance costs for the 2500 aren’t anything to sneeze at in themselves.

Luckily,

Jerry

can help Ram 2500 owners slash those costs too! In just 45 seconds, Jerry can search for competitive rates on the coverage you need for your Ram.

And because those rates are real-time quotes from a pool of top name-brand insurance companies, you can trust the coverage options you find with Jerry.

The best news? On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year on car insurance when they compare and switch on the app.

“I took a shot with
Jerry
and I’ve never been more happy! I was paying $350, and Jerry found me a Clearcover plan at $105. If saving $245 each month isn’t great news, I don’t know what is.”—Wyatt K.

RECOMMENDED