What Does The Steering Wheel Light Mean?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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This light, a steering wheel and exclamation point, indicates that

your vehicle’s power steering fluid levels are low or that there is a fault in the system

. … If the power steering fails, you can still drive your car or truck, but it will be significantly harder to steer.

What do you do when your power steering light comes on?

On hydraulic power steering systems, a common reason for the warning light to illuminate is

low power steering fluid

. You should pull over if you see this light turn on and check the fluid level immediately. Top it off with the correct fluid type and the light should turn off.

Can I drive with power steering light on?

When the light is on, the power assist

will stop working

to help you steer and while you can still drive the car, know that the steering will be much heavier making it difficult to turn. If you are driving this way, you need to be confident and get it fixed as soon as possible.

How do I reset my power steering light?

Turn

ignition switch

OFF, and turn ignition switch ON. The EPS indicator comes on for about 6 seconds. Within 4 seconds of turning the switch ON, while the EPS indicator is on, turn the steering wheel 45° to left from straight ahead driving position, and hold steering wheel in position until EPS indicator goes off.

What does a yellow steering wheel light mean?

The yellow power steering system light means

that action is required

.

What causes steering wheel light to come on?

What causes the power steering light to come on? For vehicles with hydraulic power steering, the most common reason for the power steering warning light is

that the fluid level is low

. This is often caused by a leak in one of the hoses. … Once you’ve topped up your power steering fluid, start your engine.

How much does it cost to fix power steering?

Most repairs to the power steering fluid system cost

between $500 and $650

to correct. But the exact price comes down to what exactly went wrong with the system. For example, if you just need to replace the hose, you only need to spend between $60 and $150 on parts and a little extra for labor.

What causes power steering failure?

Power steering systems require hydraulic fluid to operate. Hydraulic power steering fluid can

leak from worn or damaged hoses and failing seals

. When enough fluid is lost, the power steering pump can overheat or wear out prematurely, resulting in a loss of hydraulic pressure and failure of the power steering system.

What causes power steering malfunction?

Because your engine is connected to your power steering pump,

any stretching, fraying, corrosion or breakage

can cause the immediate failure of your system. We recommend having your power steering belt checked with every maintenance service, and replacing it if it shows any signs of wear, aging, or damage.

What are the signs of power steering problems?

  • Your Car Makes a Whining Noise Any Time You Turn the Wheel. …
  • Your Car’s Steering Wheel Is Slow to Respond. …
  • Your Car’s Steering Wheel Is Stiff. …
  • Your Car Makes Squealing Noises When You Turn the Key in the Ignition.

Why is my electric power steering not working?

In most cases, this is usually caused by

a lack of power steering fluid or a leak in the system

. It could also mean that you have a worn-out power steering pump that needs replacing.

How do you diagnose power steering problems?

  1. Whining noise while turning the wheel. If you hear a whining noise while turning the wheel of your vehicle, something is wrong with your power steering system. …
  2. Steering wheel slow to respond. …
  3. Stiff steering wheel. …
  4. Squealing noises when the vehicle starts. …
  5. Groaning noises.

What is the power steering warning light?

The power steering warning light is an indication that – you guessed it

– there’s an issue with your power steering system

. If this light is on, it likely means the power steering system will be disabled until it’s fixed.

What do you do if your steering wheel is hard to turn?

The

thickening of liquid

makes it difficult for you to turn the steering wheel at low speeds. The only solution is to flush the bad fluid and refill it with fresh fluid. The power steering pump produces the right amount of pressure required to turn the steering wheel effortlessly.

Can I just add power steering fluid?

Add power-steering fluid

as needed to the correct fill level

. If your car has gradations on the cylinder, you can add the fluid steadily until you reach the correct “hot” or “cold” fill level; if you checked the level with a dipstick, add the fluid incrementally to avoid overfilling the reservoir.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.