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the pump is always running and pumping all the time, just in a closed loop, so a smoother fluid should have less friction, and if the rest of the steering system is working smoothly then the power steering pump should work less when you do ask it to work, just like when I drive other peoples early 90's civic and notice that their car steers hard because their tires are poorly inflated, they never adjust the gear slop in the rack and pinion, or lube any of the rest of the pivot points.
as long as that power steering pump is turning it is doing at least a small amount of work and the less friction you have the easier it will turn and the less gas you will use, so I say do a compleat steering tuneup if you do anything.
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