The VW Jetta is a popular choice for the small, stylish sedan market in America. Jetta drivers can also ensure that their vehicle lasts many years by performing basic fluid maintenance. Checking the power-steering fluid level regularly can help improve the life of your vehicle and prevent costly damage caused by leaks in the system, while also ensuring that your vehicle is safe on the road.
Check the power-steering fluid level in your VW Jetta every 15,000 miles. At this interval, you should also be checking the other fluids under the hood, including the transmission fluid, brake fluid and coolant. You can check fluids sooner if you suspect a leak.
Park your VW Jetta on a level surface before checking fluid levels to ensure an accurate reading, and take note of whether the engine is hot or cold before reading the power-steering level, since the levels of hot and cold fluids differ.
Locate the power-steering fluid reservoir in the engine compartment. The reservoir should be connected to the power steering pump and clearly labeled. Remove the cap to check the fluid level for either "Hot" or "Cold" depending on the engine temperature.
Add VW-approved power steering fluid if the fluid level is below the low-level mark. Add fluid very slowly to avoid overfilling the reservoir canister, and drain excess fluid if necessary by detaching the hose at the base of the reservoir.
Inspect the entire power-steering system when you add fluid to check for broken, worn or loose parts that may result in a leak. Replace any faulty parts immediately, as hot fluid leaking into the engine will result in severe damage.
