Flushing And Changing Your Vw Power Steering Fluid IS Important!
Some Vw authorities suggest you don't change your Vw power steering fluid. We feel this isn't logical. The Vw power steering pump is just one of the components having many moving parts. Internal components inside the pump and steering rack and pinion wear and mesh with one another and create finite metallic particles which contaminate the Vw power steering fluid. It seems only logical to perform Vw power steering fluid service as a part of your preventive maintenance schedule and change the Vw power steering fluid. We recommend changing your Vw power steering fluid as a first step in trying to solve power steering related problems such as a noisy steering pump or intermitted loss of power assisted steering. The Vw power steering fluid system should be flushed at your Vw timing belt intervals. Vehicles operating in hot climates or that are subjected to driving in heavy city traffic should have their Vw power steering fluid changed every 30,000 miles. It's good preventive maintenance, inexpensive and logical for you to change your Vw power steering fluid. It is much cheaper than replacing an Vw steering pump or Vw steering rack and pinion.
Can You Mix CHF 7.1 Non-Synthetic Mineral Base Power Steering Fluid With CHF 11S Synthetic Mineral Base Vw Power Steering Fluid?
There has been a good measure of controversy over this question. Here is what our own experience shows. Over the last decade we've had no compatibility problems mixing the CHF 7.1 non-synthetic mineral base fluid and the CHF 11S synthetic based Vw power steering fluid. No problems with our own vehicles and no problems with our customers vehicles. Our success in mixing the 2 Vw power steering fluids coincides with the Audi/Vw tech bulletin 48-89-T07 issued in November 1989. It states "The new [synthetic Pentosin 11S] and old power steering fluid [non-synthetic Pentosin 7.1] can be mixed if necessary ... the part number [remains] unchanged." So according to Audi/Vw, you can mix the 2 Vw power steering fluids. Even though the composition of the fluid changed (CHF 11S synthetic mineral oil vs CHF 7.1 non-synthetic mineral oil), Audi/Vw didn't even change the part number. Please Note: Never mix generic power steering fluid or other fluid with the CHF 7.1 or CHF 11S Vw hydraulic fluid (G002000). If you or someone else did, flush the Vw power steering fluid as described below.
How To Change Vw Power Steering Fluid For Vw Passat 1998-on Models Overview:
- Refer to the factory Bentley manual for Vw power steering system instructions.
- We recommend having a A.S.E. certified Vw mechanic change your Vw power steering fluid.
- Always wear gloves and safety goggles when handling Vw fluids.
- Never start the vehicle without Vw power steering fluid in the fluid reservoir.
This is a basic overview of what is involved when flushing Vw power steering fluid. It is not intended to replace the factory Bentley manual. Please refer to the factory Bentley manual for detailed instructions.
 The Vw power steering fluid reservoir is located on the drivers side inner fender well in the engine compartment right behind the head lamp. - Locate the oil cooler tubing in front of the radiator for Vw power steering fluid. Find the rubber hose that attaches to the tubing located near the drivers side lower corner of the radiator. Disconnect the hose and drain the Vw power steering fluid.
- Flush the old Vw power steering fluid out of the Vw steering rack and pinion. Turn the steering wheel full lock side to side about 10 times. This sequence pushes the Vw power steering fluid out of the steering rack and into the fluid reservoir in order for it to drain out.
- Some models have a sleeve type filter screen inserted in the fill hole of the Vw power steering fluid reservoir. If it has the filter, remove it and clean it. Clean out the sediment that also exists on the bottom of the Vw power steering fluid reservoir.
- Reinstall the Vw power steering fluid hose removed in step (2) and fill the reservoir with G002000 Vw power steering fluid.
- Start the engine and let the car run for 10 seconds at a idle. Important! Do not rev the engine up. Revving the engine could cause power steering pump damage.
- Refill the Vw power steering fluid reservoir again with G002000 hydraulic steering fluid.
- Start the engine and let the car run at a idle turn the steering wheel full lock about 10 times from side to side.
- Turn the engine off and top off the Vw power steering fluid in the reservoir.
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