H-Fluid top-off

[BigRock44]

Looks like I have to top-off my hydraulic steering fluid. sea star says to bring it to just below the threads where the fill hole is on top of my steering wheel column. my question is, for anyone who knows, is it ok to just simply add a bit straight in from the bottle? i know that air should not enter the system, but is adding a small amount this way acceptable or is there another way? to purge/refill the system there is a narrow tube i have to connect the bottle to the fill hole but can't seem to find any info online or in the manual about just topping off...
AND i can't believe i just spent almost $30.00 on a quart of sea star fluid at my local west marine :eek:
thanks very much in advance...

[pcheesesteak]

It's fine to add oil that way. Done it many times myself.

[Capt. Debbie]

The filler behind the steering wheel?

The reservoir keeps fluid above the moving parts and keeps them immersed under the hydro fluid surface. Under the surface no air can get in the "works".

So no air enters the steering ram system since it is under the reservoir surface by design. If that reservoir drops down and the surface falls below exposing the "works" you get air in the steering system and need bleeding out of the steering lines going to the ram moving the O/B. Hence you feel bumps and pulse feeling when you turn the wheel with air in the steering system.