What does the steering wheel light with an exclamation mark mean?

If you see a steering wheel, possibly with an exclamation mark beside it, that means there's a fault with the car's power steering. If the system fails completely, it doesn't mean you won't be able to steer at all, but the steering will become much heavier, which will make it more difficult to manoeuvre the car.

What does a steering wheel with exclamation point mean?

This light, a steering wheel and exclamation point, indicates that your vehicle's power steering fluid levels are low or that there is a fault in the system. The steering wheel looks slightly different depending on the model of car or truck.

Is it safe to drive with power steering light on?

Is it safe to drive with the steering system warning light on? No. Without power steering, the vehicle will be very hard to maneuver. You will need to use a lot of caution when driving, so it's best to not use the vehicle at all if you can avoid it.

What causes steering wheel light to come on?

The light warns you that the power steering system has failed and prompts you to investigate for a cause. The cause may vary according to the type of power steering system in your car. In hydraulic power steering systems, a leak in the system causing a low fluid level is the most common cause for this problem.

How do you fix an electric power steering warning light?

Electrical power steering systems use no fluid, so a top off is not an issue when the warning light comes on. In most cases, a simple technical glitch in the computer system may be the culprit, so a simple reboot is in order. All you need to do is turn off your engine, then restart it so the light can reset.

Steering wheel exclamation mark light Volkswagen Polo

How much does it cost to fix electric power steering?

The Best in Auto Repair

The average cost for power steering control module replacement is between $865 and $895. Labor costs are estimated between $115 and $146 while parts are priced at $749. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location.

How much does it cost to fix power steering?

Need Auto Repairs? Most repairs to the power steering fluid system cost between $500 and $650 to correct.

Can electric power steering be fixed?

This problem can be fixed on your own, but if you're not sure how to fix electric power steering problems, take it to a certified mechanic.

How do you check power steering fluid?

What happens when electric power steering goes out?

When that happens, your car's steering system will revert to manual operation (i.e., your muscles do all the work). As a result, the steering wheel will become very difficult to turn. Electric power steering can stop working suddenly and render the vehicle very difficult to drive as well.

What does lack of power steering fluid cause?

The power steering system uses a pump so the fluid can flow for smooth steering. If there is a low amount of fluid present, air will start to circulate through the steering mechanism and make strange sounds when you turn the steering wheel. To prevent this, simply top up your fluid reservoir with power steering fluid.

Does electric power steering have fluid?

Electric Power Steering or Motor-Driven Power Steering

This system eliminates hydraulics and pressurized fluid from the system.

How do you know if you need power steering fluid?

If your wheel feels "hard" and tough to turn, you might need power steering fluid. Loud steering: Steering shouldn't make sounds. The minute you notice that your steering wheel is making loud noises, it's time to check the power steering wheel fluid level in your vehicle.

Can you drive a car with no power steering fluid?

Driving your car for extended periods without power steering fluid can damage the pump. While there's nothing that physically stops you from driving your car if you have a power steering fluid leak, once the level drops, your pump runs dry. This causes increased friction and heat and can quickly cause expensive damage.

Can I replace power steering fluid myself?

Changing your power steering fluid yourself is cheap and easy, providing extra insurance against other problems that can crop up. It also gives you an opportunity to check for leaks and replace any other components that need it.

How often do you need to add power steering fluid?

Either every two years or every seventy-five thousand miles (whichever comes first!), you should change your power steering fluid out.

Can I just top off power steering fluid?

Add power-steering fluid to the correct fill level

Be careful not to overfill the fluid; it's actually better to under-fill since it expands as it heats up. Any more than necessary and you risk causing problems which could, in turn, lead to expensive repairs.

How do you diagnose power steering problems?

Does power steering have a fuse?

Electronic failure is when the electrical systems keeping the power steering running stop functioning. This type of failure can be caused by a fuse issue, so you can easily check the fuse box to see if one of the fuses needs replacing.

Is it expensive to replace power steering?

Cost of Labor

It takes about 4 hours to replace a power steering pump. Depending on where you live, a shop can charge you between $50 and $125 per hour for labor. Ultimately, having a shop replace the power steering pump for you will likely cost between $200 and $500 in labor alone.

Is it worth the extra cost to service the power steering fluid?

We strongly encourage this service after the vehicle odometer has reached 60,000 miles. As your car continues to age its also a good idea to have it done every 30,000 miles thereafter. Considering that the average steering repair costs between $600 and $1000, routine preventative maintenance is a sound investment.

How long does it take a mechanic to replace a power steering pump?

It takes two to three hours for a competent mechanic to switch over a power steering pump. Power steering pump replacement costs vary across the country according to each garage and dealership.

How do you reset the power steering assist fault?

The easiest way to reset that alert is to restart your car. Switch your entire car on and off. This will reset all the electrical components in your car. Repeat the process 2 or 3 times this will get rid of the power steering assist fault warning.