I need to top off the power steering fluid in my Evo IX.

I went to the dealer to buy some "genuine Mitsubishi" PS fluid, but they didn't have any. They wouldn't even top it off for me, even though the car is still in warranty. Said I'd have to make a service appointment.

Anyway, I have some Royal Purple power steering fluid in my garage. Is this OK to use to top off the power steering fluid reservoir? Do I need to bleed afterwards? Should I just do a complete power steering fluid flush with the RP fluid?

Note that I'm not having any power steering issues... it's just that the fluid is a tad low on the dipstick.

 

As long as it is on the dipstick you will be okay.

 

You're saying that if I can see fluid on the dipstick, even if it's below the "low" line, then I don't need to bother adding fluid?

Note that I have the service manuals, and I've checked the levels with the engine running and shut off. In both cases, the fluid level is below the "low" line on the dipstick.

 

You don't bleed it, and topping it off with the correct spec fluid will be fine.

 

Since the add mark is 3/32 of an inch up from the bottom end of the power steering dipstick, the add mark and the end of the dipstick are, essentially, the same.

 

As long as there is still fluid covering the hole then you essentially can't "suck in air" as there is no air to be sucked in unless you have a hole somewhere which it sounds like if you are going through that much fluid....

 

Chances are, he checked it for the first time. My car left the new car showroom with the PS fluid on the add mark. At 60K it was still exactly the same.

 

Should work fine.

 

I just bought the car a couple of months ago, and it had 17K miles on it. I checked all fluid levels when I bought it, and I've been meaning to address the PS fluid, but it hasn't become a priority until now.

Interesting to know that the car could have had the level at the "add" mark from the factory. I don't believe the PS system has any kind of a leak on my car, because the fluid level hasn't changed since I bought the car. Just a little low on the stick.

I topped off with the Royal Purple fluid last night. Of course, didn't take much at all.