Where is the power steering fluid located in a Volkswagen Passat?
2 Answers
Volkswagen Passat power steering fluid is located on the left side of the engine. Power Steering Fluid: It is a special liquid used in the power steering pump of a car's power steering system. Through hydraulic action, it makes the steering wheel very light and easy for the driver to control the driving direction. Function: When the driver turns the steering wheel, the power steering system automatically provides power, thereby reducing the driver's steering effort. The power steering fluid is a medium oil added to the power steering system, which transmits steering force and provides cushioning. Maintenance: Power steering fluid does not need to be changed frequently. Dealers recommend changing it every 100,000 kilometers, and not changing it will not cause any safety hazards. If the power steering fluid is low, the engine may produce abnormal noises. The power steering fluid also has a minimum level mark, and it should be changed when it falls below this level.
Having driven Volkswagen cars for over a decade, I can tell you the power steering fluid reservoir on the Passat is located at the front left side of the engine bay, just below the windshield. The black plastic reservoir, about the size of a fist, is marked with a steering wheel symbol and connected by two rubber hoses. Avoid touching it when the engine is hot—wait until the engine cools down after turning off the ignition, then pop the hood. You'll spot it easily near the battery. There's a transparent viewing window on the side of the reservoir; the fluid level should stay between the Min and Max marks. Note that the position varies slightly between older and newer models—the 2009 version sits above the power steering pump, while the newer B8 might be closer to the firewall. When refilling, make sure to use the correct fluid: half a liter of the red-specific power steering fluid is sufficient. Mixing it up with AT transmission fluid can damage the steering gear. Check the owner's manual, page 138, for a diagram—don't guess blindly.
