Changed out P/S Fluid Today *pics*
 

Well its lazy Sunday and I thought I would change out the power steering fluid today, stopped by at Wal-Mart and picked up some Castrol ATF Dex 3 Import fluid and a turkey blaster and got to work.

I was not expecting the P/S fluid to be this dirty at 69,000KM stuff came out black :yikes::yikes:

Oh and quick question, when I checked the level it was at the lowest point on the dipstick (1st groove) so I just refilled it twice at the same level, but over at E46fanatics they recommend that it be at the highest point (second groove) can anyone fill me in on this :dunno:

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...i/DSCF0059.jpg
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...i/DSCF0058.jpg

lowest point for cold, highest point for hot.

BTW I just got back from a drive and wow the steering feels buttery smooth now definitely much better :thumbup:

Does the steering wheel feel lighter by any chance?

Defiantly I was surprised at the difference it made, steering feels like a hot knife through butter :thumbup:

I will def give this a try. After installing larger wheels I felt that my steering was getting quite heavy, Is there a DIY for this?

It's very strait forward procedure, here is what I did

- Go to your local parts store and pick up some Dextron III compatible automatic transmission fluid.
- Go to any Wal-Mart and get a turkey blaster
- Now pop up your hood and locate the power steering reservoir, look behind the radiator. It has a unmistakable cap which looks like a gear and says "ATF Only"
- Suck out the old dirty fluid with your turkey blaster
- Fill the reservoir with fresh ATF fluid
- Now go for a drive and turn the steering all the way to the left and right
- Repeat by draining and refilling, at this point the system should have 80% fresh bright pink ATF fluid
- Most important step is to grab a cold beer from the fridge and admire how light the steering feels now :thumbup:

Wait, am I the only that is confused? P/S = ATF?

BMW uses ATF instead of power steering fluid.

That slipped, thanks!