Power Steering Fluid

[PaulSTR]

I have a 2009 C5 2.2 diesel and the power steering fluid appears to be low, my book says that I must get a dealer to top it up, I am weary of just topping it up in case you have to do it as part of a sequence can anyone advise please if it is just a case of topping it up so you can see the level in the basket under the filler cap? 

[Johndouglas]

Hello & welcome to the forum.

You haven't said weather you have hydraulic suspension or steel springs on your car. Hydraulic versions top up with Total LDS and steel springs use Total Fluide DA. However it seems that both fluids have the same spec, so I would suggest using either. But don't use the usual red coloured steering fluid. Since yours is a 2009 you may not have seen our "Common faults" topic. See it here:- http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/20279-common-problems-rev-2662015/ and read paragraph 25.

[PaulSTR]

Thanks it is the Hydraulic and on the casing it has a sticker which is Total LDS can I just top it up or should it be warm or adjusted in any way?

[Johndouglas]

Before topping up put the suspension to its lowest setting then top up to the mark. The reservoir is under slight pressure so you may hear it hiss when you remove the cap. Unless you drain the pump, the tank will pressurize itself when the engine is started.

[PaulSTR]

Thanks

[paul.h]

With the suspension at the low setting and the engine off, the lds level should be between the first and second ridges from the bottom of the filler neck strainer. If you find the level is low then look for leaks on the suspension and steering rack (a common problem on the 2008 on C5 - see the C5 Technical section pinned Common Problems topic). The plastic lds tank is also known to split losing lds over the pump under it.