--- title: Pickup Power Steering Flush: Hydraulic or Electric url: https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/power-steering-flush/pickup-trucks/ business: Xpress Oil & Lube (Xpress Oil & Lube Center) shops: Reno Northwest: 6100 Mae Anne Ave, Reno, NV 89523, (775) 787-1000, Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-4 pm, Sun closed; Reno South: 4993 Longley Ln, Reno, NV 89502, (775) 828-6996, Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-3 pm, Sun closed; Carson City: 1861 E College Pkwy, Carson City, NV 89706, (775) 883-5823, Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-4 pm, Sun closed; Gardnerville: 1293 US Hwy 395 N, Gardnerville, NV 89410, (775) 301-5912, Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm, Sat 9 am-3 pm, Sun closed type: Drive-in oil change and vehicle maintenance, no appointment needed, since 1983 --- Today's coupons - $10 off full-service oil change - $5 off smog check - $25 off transmission fluid service [See all coupons](https://xpressoilandlube.com/coupons/) - [Home](https://xpressoilandlube.com/) - [Services](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/) - [Power steering flush](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/power-steering-flush/) - Pickup trucks # Power Steering Flush for Pickup Trucks Whether your pickup needs a power steering flush depends on its steering: many newer half-tons use electric steering with no fluid at all, while older trucks and many mid-size and heavy-duty models still run a hydraulic pump. On hydraulic trucks we check the fluid at every oil change and flush it with the maker's specified fluid when it has darkened or the manual calls for it. ★★★★★ 4.7 stars from 952 Google reviews The pickup world split in two over the last fifteen years. Ford moved the F-150 to electric power steering in the 2011 model year, and other makers followed on their light-duty trucks, while plenty of mid-size, heavy-duty and older pickups kept the hydraulic pump, reservoir and hoses. The first thing our technician does is look under the hood and tell you which kind you have. ## How to tell which system your truck has - A small reservoir with a cap marked for power steering fluid means hydraulic - A pump driven by the serpentine belt, with high-pressure hoses, means hydraulic - No reservoir and a steering motor on the column or rack means electric - The owner's manual lists power steering fluid only if the truck uses it ## Why trucks are harder on hydraulic steering Big tires, heavy front ends and low-speed maneuvering work a steering pump harder than a sedan ever does. Backing a trailer down the ramp at Pyramid Lake, cranking the wheel lock to lock in a feed store lot in Minden, or crawling a ranch road in the Pine Nuts all push the pump near its relief pressure, and that heats the fluid. Hot fluid oxidizes and darkens, and the rubber in the hoses and seals slowly sheds into it. Cold is the other stress. Minden averages 75 nights a year at 20 F or colder (NOAA 1991-2020 normals), and thick, worn fluid on a cold morning makes the pump groan and the wheel feel heavy for the first few blocks. ## When the flush is due Many truck makers publish no fixed power steering interval and ask for inspection at regular service, and the Car Care Council's advice is the same: check the level and condition regularly and change the fluid when it has darkened or as the manual directs. Some guides list a change under special operating conditions, and Ford's scheduled maintenance guide is built around those conditions for trucks that tow or idle. We look at the fluid on every [truck oil change](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/oil-change/pickup-trucks/). ## The flush on a truck If the steering whines on cold mornings, drive in and let us look at the fluid before the pump pays for it. - Show you the fluid and the reservoir before any work. - Quote it in writing if it is due, per NRS 487.6875 for work over fifty dollars. - Remove the old fluid and purge the lines with the specified fluid, which may be ATF or a dedicated power steering fluid depending on the maker. - Cycle the steering lock to lock to bleed air, then recheck the level. ### Sources - [carcare.org/car-care-guide/](https://www.carcare.org/car-care-guide/) (Car Care Council: inspect fluids, filters, belts and hoses at regular intervals and follow the owner's manual for replacement. Read 2026-10-15) - [fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/09mermg1e.pdf](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/09mermg1e.pdf) (Ford scheduled maintenance guide: special operating conditions schedule for towing, extended idling and dusty conditions. Read 2026-10-15) - [ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals) (NOAA 1991-2020 normals: Reno-Tahoe airport 65 days at 90 F or above, 122 freezing nights, 7.35 in precipitation; Carson City 146 freezing nights; Minden 188 freezing nights and 75 at 20 F or colder. Read 2026-10-15) - [leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-487.html](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-487.html) (NRS 487.6875, written estimate and authorization for repairs over fifty dollars; NRS 487.688, manufacturer specifications. Read 2026-10-15) ### Your service center: Reno Northwest - Call [(775) 787-1000](tel:+17757871000) Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-4 pm, Sun closed - Address 6100 Mae Anne Ave, Reno, NV 89523 [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=6100+Mae+Anne+Ave%2C+Reno%2C+NV+89523&destination_place_id=ChIJ3dFA7yBEmYARYg1CtQTi_Bk) ### What a customer said Carson City Best service ever. Efficient, professional crew. Couldn't be happier. [All reviews](https://xpressoilandlube.com/reviews/) ### Related - [Power steering flush](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/power-steering-flush/) - [Oil changes for pickup trucks](https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/pickup-trucks/) - [Whine when turning the wheel](https://xpressoilandlube.com/problems/whine-when-turning/) - [Power steering fluid, hydraulic and electric systems](https://xpressoilandlube.com/guides/power-steering-fluid-explained/) - [Ford F-150 oil change](https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/ford/f-150/) Drive in. No appointment. Drive out. Locally owned in Northern Nevada since 1983. No appointment, no pressure: we tell you what the inspection found and you decide. [About us](https://xpressoilandlube.com/about/) ## The same service for other vehicles [### Power steering flush for SUVs and crossovers Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/power-steering-flush/suvs/)[### Power steering flush for hybrids Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/power-steering-flush/hybrids/)[### Power steering flush for diesel pickups Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/power-steering-flush/diesel-pickups/)[### Power steering flush for high-mileage vehicles Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/power-steering-flush/high-mileage-vehicles/)[### Power steering flush for work vans and fleet vehicles Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/power-steering-flush/work-vans/)[### Power steering flush Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/power-steering-flush/) ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call your service center or drive in; there is no appointment to make. ### My F-150 has no power steering reservoir. Is that normal? Yes, on electric-steering model years. There is no fluid to service. ### Can I use ATF in my power steering? Only if the maker specifies it. Some trucks use ATF; others use a dedicated fluid. We use what the manual lists. ### Will a flush fix a leak? No. We point out leaks at hoses, the pump or the rack and recommend a repair shop.