Hey

I changed my oil a few months ago and shortly after that, I started to notice a slight whine when in low rpm's and when turning. I changed my oil again today, and the whine noise is still there. I checked the power steering fluid level and its slightly below the minimum mark. Is that what is causing the slight whine problem? I have a 2010 GT with an automatic trans and 16k miles on it. Any help would be appreciated.

P.S. What kind of fluid should I use to top off the power steering?

Thanks

 

You have to turn the vehicle to get this sound? Sounds off-hand more like the power steering pump straining. Fill to the correct level with the correct power steering fluid, see if it still happens.

I don´t think it´s anything odd-ball in this case, double-check the manual, but I´m fairly sure just a bottle of normal power-steering fluid from the local auto-zone or pep-boys will do.

 

The Owners Manual will tell you what to use. It's that cardboard bound paper thingy in the glove box. Also, the cap to the PS reservoir on most cars usually identifies the proper fluid.

 

Thanks for the responses. After doing some research, I found that many people recommend Mobil 1 ATF for power steering fluid.

As for the sound, I just find it odd that it started immediately after a prior oil change. I am going to try new power steering fluid tomorrow and see if that solves the problem. I'll post back tomorrow after that's all done. Thanks again.

 

Well today I changed the power steering fluid and that didn't solve the problem. The whining/whistling sound is mostly audible when going around 5mph or when turning. I'm really at a lost for what it is. Tranny issue maybe?

 

I know the PS pump makes a fairly unique noise if it´s not functioning correctly, pretty hard to mistake for the engine itself. So if a trip to the dealer service section is out of the question, I´d say your best bet would be to record it if you can and post here. As that description alone doesn´t give a whole lot to go on past the PS pump.

Sure Nuke or one of the other true car guys could probably guess what it is fairly quickly with a short, contextual vid, with sound.

 

Hey man,
I had a sound like that, at least I think it is like you describe-hard to tell from an internet post, of course. But it was driving me nucking futs. Anyway, this whine made me think it was PS pump. I topped it off, and no luck. Then, by weird coincidence, I noticed the noise was worse first thing in the morning, and then one day, my headlights strted fluctuating. I though now I am onto something !! Took to the dealer and it was found to be the alternator. Car only had 18K miles on it, and no aftermarket hi-fi system or anything. They replaced it under warranty. Wonder if yours could be the same thing?

 

Thanks for the reply. I looked at some sound clips of bad alternators online and I think that may be the problem. I can't reproduce the noise in neutral however. The car only makes the sound when in drive and driving at slow speeds. I'll have to take it to the dealer when I have a chance.

 

Did you mean the PS was below the Max or the Min? You said the Minimum and that may damage the pump. If so, I'd take it to the dealer and tell them you have a leak somewhere. I've had my '03 GT since new, and never had to add any fluid to it. It must be going somewhere.