The VW Passat has been a popular choice since the 1990s for car buyers looking for a stylish, luxury mid-sized sedan. While the VW Passat delivers quality inside and out, you can help maintain the quality of your vehicle through at-home maintenance. Checking the power-steering fluid regularly will not only help you avoid expensive repairs, but will also ensure that your vehicle is safe on the road.
Check the power-steering fluid level every 15,000 miles, at the same time that you do other fluid level checks in your VW Passat. You can check the fluid level sooner if you suspect a leak, or if you experience trouble with the power-steering system.
Make sure that your vehicle is parked on a level surface before you check fluid levels, and take note of whether the engine is hot or cold since hot and cold fluids will read at different levels.
Locate the power-steering fluid reservoir in the engine compartment of your VW Passat. The power-steering fluid reservoir should be on top of the power steering pump and labeled on the cap.
Remove the cap and check the power-steering fluid level for either the "hot" or "cold" low-level mark depending on the engine temperature. If you need to add fluid, add the fluid cautiously to avoid filling the reservoir above the maximum level.
Check the rest of the power-steering system for parts that have become lose, worn or broken and replace any leaking parts immediately. Hot fluid leaking into the engine will cause severe damage to your vehicle and may result in personal injury while driving.
