On many modern cars there is a hydraulic power steering. Today, this is a privilege of not the most expensive cars; electric amplifiers are installed in elite cars. One of the disadvantages of power steering is the need for its maintenance. The manufacturer KIA claims that in all models of the company in which the hydraulic booster is installed, fluid replacement is not required. But in fact, this approach significantly reduces the life of an expensive node.
Therefore, it is worth changing the oil in approximately the same mode as changing in a manual transmission or automatic transmission. Most often, the owners reduce the interval to 60,000 km, this is the optimal mode for both boxes and the hydraulic steering system. It is necessary not only to choose the right oil, but also to know how this procedure is performed.
What liquids can be poured into the power steering?
High-quality fluid in the Kia Rio power steering is the key to a long service life of the unit. So it's not worth saving. Many owners, after removing the car from the warranty, use the remaining oil after replacement in the automatic transmission and pour it into the hydraulic booster. Technically, this is wrong and should not be done. It is difficult to say exactly how the mechanism will react to such savings.
When selecting a fluid, consider the following features of the unit maintenance:
- the manufacturer recommends pouring only branded PSF-4 liquid, but it is also acceptable to use PSF-3;
- when buying third-party products, it is better to give preference to hydraulic oils;
- carefully look at the purpose of the liquid you are buying, often motorists buy inappropriate materials;
- oils for KIA cars often presented under brand Hyundai, and they are quite suitable for use in this car;
- you can save on the original can and buy MOBIS products, which are filled in Hyundai canisters.
Be careful when buying oil in power steering Kia Rio. The most unpleasant moment is the acquisition of fakes. This reduces the chances of normal operation of the amplifier, increases the risk of its failure. So don't jump on low prices and buy liquids at a big discount. Most likely under very favorable conditions a banal fake is hiding, which has no positive properties.
When should you change your power steering fluid?
The manufacturer does not say anything about when to change the Kia Rio power steering fluid. In these vehicles, the manufacturer recommends using the factory filled fluid and not servicing the assembly. But in practice, it is better to change the oil once every 3 years or 60,000 km (whichever comes first). If you do not follow this procedure, the power steering will continue to operate normally, but the risk of its failure will be much higher. So it’s still worth investing a little money and protecting expensive equipment from breakage. Moreover, these parts for KIA Rio are simply unthinkably expensive.
How is the fluid in the amplifier reservoir replaced?
To replace the fluid, you will need an empty container of about 1 liter, at least 0.8 liters of new hydraulic fluid, a screwdriver for loosening and tightening the clamp, as well as a syringe for removing fluid from the tank. The procedure is quite simple, and even a person with no experience can perform it. Having done everything with your own hands, you will save about 1000 rubles, which is how many stations will charge you for this procedure.
Power steering oil change Kia Rio is as follows:
This completes the procedure. It is possible that you will need more than 0.8 liters of oil to replace, since some of the freshly filled oil will also have to be passed through the return line. It would be better to prepare about 1.2 liters, so that you definitely have enough to make up for all the losses during the replacement process. The procedure may take approximately 5 minutes.
What are the indications for changing the oil in the hydraulic booster?
Most common oil change Kia power steering Rio is produced if the car has passed 60,000 km or 3 years from the last replacement or from the date of purchase in the cabin. It is also worth performing this procedure if you buy a used car from your hands and do not know the entire history of its service.
Also an indicator for replacement is an attempt to delay power steering repair. If when you turn the steering wheel you hear noise, a burning smell from under the hood, and you also have to increase the effort applied while driving, it is worth changing the oil and looking at the results of this procedure. After the replacement, it will take several days before the unpleasant symptoms go away. If they do not leave, it is worth contacting the service station.
Results - is it worth doing the oil change in the power steering with your own hands?
The procedure is not too complicated, so it is not worth paying a lot of money for it. It is best to do the replacement yourself. To do this, you do not need any special tools, you do not need to have plumbing skills. It is enough just to be able to handle a screwdriver and deftly perform the fluid replacement process described above.
If you think that the hydraulic booster is broken, you should immediately go to the service station and perform device diagnostics. Changing the oil in a broken device or inaccurate performance of this replacement can be fatal for the power steering system. Make sure the system is working properly before changing the oil.
In Kia power steering Rio III 2012 branded green PSF-4 liquid is filled in, which cannot be mixed with any other liquid, so be careful when replacing. The very procedure for changing (displacing) hydraulic oil is quite simple, and literally any car owner can handle it, even alone. In order to avoid any difficulties, we suggest watching a visual video about replacing the Rio 3rd generation power steering fluid.
The required volume in the Kia Rio power steering system is 0.8 liters. PSF oils according to specification PSF-3 or PSF-4.
How to change hydraulic oil in power steering Kia Rio III
Briefly, the process of replacing the hydraulic fluid of a Kia car will include the following steps:
- pump out as much as possible from the tank with a syringe;
- add to full;
- remove the return hose from the tank fitting and direct it into another empty container; turn the steering wheel back and forth, from end to end until the liquid drops to a minimum level, then top up again and repeat the steps;
- how fresh slurry will go from the return, the process can be completed;
- we check that the level in the tank is at the maximum and now turn on the ignition so that the pump pumps itself.
More clearly how to change the fluid in the GUR Kia Rio 3 with your own hands, see the video.
When to change the oil in the power steering Rio 3
The manufacturer claims that the liquid filled from the factory is designed for the entire life of the car, but experts recommend changing it every 3 years or being regulated by such signs of loss of oil performance properties, such as:
- noise during operation of the power steering pump,
- an increase in the applied force when turning the steering wheel,
- the smell of burning from the barrel of power steering fluid,
- oil color change.
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Largely Kia equipment The third generation Rio comes with power steering. However, it is not electric, but hydraulic. And it is driven by a pump, which creates a pressure of special oil. We will talk about the latter today.
This fluid is an oil, with the help of which resistance is transferred from the power steering pump to the hydraulic cylinder and all friction pairs are lubricated. Circulation is carried out through connecting hoses. The liquid itself is stored in a plastic expansion tank. Thus, the operation of the power steering allows you to reduce the resistance when turning the steering wheel.
About the resource
Many motorists are sure that this oil is filled in the system for the entire period of operation. But it's not. Any car that has power steering needs periodic oil changes. Unfortunately, the Kia manufacturer does not provide specific data on how often a replacement is needed. But on average, it is required after 6 years or 200 thousand kilometers. We also note that replacing the power steering fluid in Kia Rio 3 may be needed earlier. This is necessary when the system is depressurized, if the liquid level is less than normal. Such a replacement is called an emergency.
Power steering oil change Kia Rio 3: signs
What are the indications that Kia car Rio 3 requires an oil change in the power steering?
- The nature of the operation of the hydraulic booster pump. Since the fluid loses its lubricating properties over time, the pump begins to make noise during operation. At the slightest rotation of the steering wheel in place, it will cause a characteristic hum.
- Increasing the force applied to turn the steering wheel. But usually this happens when the liquid level drops. The pump does not have enough oil to provide normal work systems.
- The color of the oil in the expansion tank. Over time, the liquid becomes dark. In some cases, the oil is completely black. In this case, there is reason to think about replacing the power steering fluid with a Kia Rio 3. If the amplifier worked in high load mode, you can also feel the characteristic burning smell in the oil. This is also a sign of the need for Kia Rio 3 power steering fluid replacement.
Note: if the mileage of the car is high (over 250 thousand km), it is worth inspecting the connecting elements and hoses. The presence of cracks and signs of leakage (as well as oil fogging) can lead to a sudden drop in the oil level in the system. And one replacement of the power steering fluid is not enough. It is necessary to eliminate all leaks, and only after that fill in new oil.
Specialists from our service will help identify all leaks in the hydraulic booster system, as well as eliminate other defects in the power steering.
Power steering fluid change Kia Rio 3
Why does the oil need to be changed?
- Natural wear. Nothing lasts forever, and the liquid (no matter how good it is) loses its color and other characteristics over time. In the future, this has a bad effect on the operation of the pump itself and the condition of the rubber hoses. The latter may harden or crumble inside. The presence of such dirt in the oil is highly undesirable.
- Oil overheating. In this case, replacement may be required much earlier than the aforementioned period. What causes oil to overheat? This usually happens while parking. Often the driver has to work hard with the steering wheel. Trying to reduce the turning radius, the driver spins the wheels to the maximum. As a result, the pump generates enormous pressure. The liquid heats up and begins to boil. Such oil has already lost its lubricity and is no longer serviceable.
Attention: the manufacturer does not recommend significantly loading the hydraulic booster. To prevent the pump from working under high pressure, which is critical for the working fluid, do not completely unscrew the steering wheel. It is necessary to leave a gap of 10-15 degrees from the extreme position. So the oil in the hydraulic booster will not be subjected to critical loads. And all because it will move not along one, but along two contours.
Significant drop in oil level. Some motorists simply add fluid to the tank. But this is not good. It is necessary to make a thorough diagnosis of all connecting elements. In any case, if the liquid leaves the tank, then part of it will be on the rail or other power steering elements from the outside. Do not hesitate to fix the leak. After all, the scale of the problem may increase, and at one point the driver simply does not have time to add fluid to the system.
Effects
What will happen if you continue to operate the car on black, burnt oil in the power steering? This liquid will further provoke increased wear of the working parts of the pump. The steering rack housing also fails in the places of the sealing rings. The mobility of the pressure reducing valve decreases, the rack teeth wear out. This affects the steering and the overall behavior of the car on the road.
What to pour?
Specialists from the service station know which oil to fill in the Kia Rio 3 power steering. This is a PSF-3 or PSF-4 class liquid. Its required volume in the system is 800 milliliters. By changing the oil in the GUR Kia Rio 3, we guarantee the quality of the work performed. A timely operation will keep the pump in good condition and extend the life of the rail itself.
Conclusion
So, we found out what oil is used for in the power steering system and why change it. As you can see, the consequences of operating a power steering with old oil are very significant. If it has a characteristic smell and dark color, do not hesitate to replace it. Also, the reason for the diagnosis is a periodic drop in the level of the hydraulic booster fluid in the expansion tank.