I know the Altima has an electric power steering pump. Is there a specific type of power steering fluid for electric power steering or any power steering fluid will work?
MY Note to above --- It does not make much sense for Nissan to state "or equivalent" and then make the statement in note *3. ----- However although Nissan fluid in on the expensive side, IMO why take a chance with anything else with such a small amount of fluid. (Note the "E" in the recommeded type fluid.) I had another car for 25 years and never had to add a drop of power steering fluid -- I finally did drain and fill even though old fluid looked good.
The Altima 2013 Service and Maintenance Guide Dated Oct 2012 makes no mention or recommendation of changing/flushing the power steering fluid.
MY Note to above --- It does not make much sense for Nissan to state "or equivalent" and then make the statement in note *3. ----- However although Nissan fluid in on the expensive side, IMO why take a chance with anything else with such a small amount of fluid. (Note the "E" in the recommeded type fluid.) I had another car for 25 years and never had to add a drop of power steering fluid -- I finally did drain and fill even though old fluid looked good.
The Altima 2013 Service and Maintenance Guide Dated Oct 2012 makes no mention or recommendation of changing/flushing the power steering fluid.
MY Note to above --- It does not make much sense for Nissan to state "or equivalent" and then make the statement in note *3. ----- However although Nissan fluid in on the expensive side, IMO why take a chance with anything else with such a small amount of fluid. (Note the "E" in the recommeded type fluid.) I had another car for 25 years and never had to add a drop of power steering fluid -- I finally did drain and fill even though old fluid looked good.
The Altima 2013 Service and Maintenance Guide Dated Oct 2012 makes no mention or recommendation of changing/flushing the power steering fluid.
Thanks BC2046. I wasn't going to change/flush it, but it is below the min mark. I can kinda tell a difference in the steering as well, but it hasn't started doing that power steering pump whine that most do when they are running low.
Additional Side Note to Power Steering Fluid -- In my case
I bought a Altima 2013 delivered in Oct 2012. Several months after delivery I looked closely at my power steering fluid reservoir when the vehicle had not been driven and everything was cold. I noticed that the fluid level was at the absolute minimum mark (for cold). Later, while driving another car, I went to a Nissan Dealer which was not where I bought the car, and was going to buy some of the correct PS fluid. As I remember cost would have been about $15+ or so for a container. ---- I did not have my Altima with me at the time ---- but the parts department gave me a opened slightly used container to carry home and top off my fluid. After topping off, and keeping a couple extra ounces I returned the container to the parts dept.
NOTE: On delivery, my car's engine oil also was at the mid mark on the dipstick. Checked in first few days of ownership, when car was cold and on a level surface. Because Nissans engine oil/power steering & CVT fluids are so expensive you have to wonder if Nissan is not trying to save a buck here and there. I have to wonder IF the CVT fluid is correct ---- but with no CVT dipstick in this model car I cant check it.
I just remembered that my dealership (non-Nissan) topped off the power steering fluid with what I think was regular hydraulic steering fluid, the color being the same is what fooled them I guess. Do you guys think it'll be a problem? I think they only added 1-2 tablespoons.
Okay, I have some news on this issue. I live in Armenia, but since our dealership didn't have the required fluid, I ordered one from the neighboring Georgia. They sent me a bottle, but the code was KLF51-00001, and the packaging didn't mention E-PSF anywhere. So I called them and asked why they sent the wrong product. They said that this is the fluid required for 2013 Altimas. So I ripped the sticker a bit, and it says E-PSF on a Japanese sticker that was underneath. I guess different fluids are sold in different regions. Searching KLF51-00001 on Google only brings up Japanese and Russian links. Though on some Japanese site I saw a line saying "electric pump type oil pressure power steering".
Question for those adding fluid...
How many miles are you having to add at? I thought the whine was independent of the fluid level (my 2015 does it anyway), but I suppose it can get worse with low fluid. I was just surprised that the fluid would have be added at low miles w/o any leaks. Wish that dipstick didn't have such a small difference b/t the min and max...mine came from the factory halfway between the two markings.
for the 2015 rogue, is it e psf or regular psf and if its' regular psf, you don' tneed to use genuine nissan's, right? I'm having trouble finding it as it doesn't say in the owners manual.
Has anyone changed their power steering fluid yet? If so how many bottles of (E-PSF) power steering fluid would be necessary for complete flush of the rack?
Wow I guess no one is worried about changing this particular fluid then. I was thinking about using the method of disconnecting the return line from the pump and running it into a drain pan then plug the return line input on the pump. Then just simply turn the steering wheel lock to lock while adding new E-PSF with the car not running with the front wheels jacked up off or the ground.