Proper method to check Power Steering Fluid

[HaroldCallahan]

Decided to use the turkey baster method to change out some of the power steering fluid in my old 1988 GMC Suburban.

 

The fluid didnt look too bad, it was dark red, maybe a little dirty. Not sure if it was original or not, but I have owned it for 5 years and have never replaced it.

 

Anyway, a question occurred to me. Am I checking the fluid level properly ???

 

I checked it cold, and put the cap all the way back in and screwed it down and then take it back out to check the level. Made sure it was just at the mark for cold.

 

The question is, should the cap be screwed in for the check, or just pushed in without screwing it down ???

 

I would think screwing it in is correct, but that is what I would have thought when checking the oil level on my 72cc honda dirt bikes. But on the dirt bikes it is incorrect to screw the filler plug in to check the oil level. If you do screw it in, you are about 3/4 of an inch off.

 

What is the correct way on the old suburban - screw it in or not???

[budhayes3]

I've always screwed it in...never really thought about it though, just always done it that way.