Does PS fluid really need to be changed?

[KOB]

I keep seeing this on newsgroups and dealers always keep trying to sell
this. I have NEVER had the fluid changed in any car that I owned(only when
the hoses went out,then the pump/fluid was changed). Is this a scam?
I have a Dodge Caliber with 53K miles, and have never changed the fluid(car
is a 2007).

[KirkM]

Just like brake fluid, P/S fluid can degrade over time with moisture
entering the system through condensation. Your Caliber is new enough
that the fluid is probably still in good shape.

I would think that trying to keep moisture out of the system would
help the rack to last longer.

I had a flush done by a Tunex shop. I think they charged $59 to do it.
I was going to try it myself, but did not have the line wrench to
disconnect the hoses.

KM

[Rob]

constant heat is bad for it too

"KirkM" <kma...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:6240474e-5219-4cc4...@d9g2000prh.googlegroups.com...

[KOB]

Rob wrote:

Thanks Rob and KirkM. Might have this done then, if I can get the Mobile
Oil Change to do it reasonably. At what mileage/year would you do it?

[Ashton Crusher]

It's not particularly necessary. I've had many cars running over 100K
that never had the fluid changed. Certainly changing it won't hurt
but if you wind up paying $50 every 25K miles you may wind up paying
more for fluid changes they you would ever pay for repairs in the long
run. What I do is buy a $2 turkey baster and suck out as much fluid
as I can from the reservoir and then put new in. Do that every year
or two and you should be fine and it will cost a lot less then paying
to have it done.

[KOB]

Ashton,
That sounds like a good idea! Just don't use it for the Thanksgiving
bird after!