Would low power steering fluid cause a whine as the steering wheel is turned and which speeds up or slows down with engine rpm's

A loud whining noise on acceleration in a 2010 Mazda Tribute could be a sign of a few different issues. Here are some potential causes:

1. Power steering pump: A whining noise can be an indication of a failing power steering pump. The noise may increase when the steering wheel is turned.
2. Alternator: If the whining noise increases with engine speed, the alternator may be failing. This is because the alternator is responsible for charging the battery and powering the car's electrical system.
3. Transmission: A whining noise during acceleration could also be a sign of transmission issues, such as low transmission fluid levels, worn bearings, or a damaged gear.
4. Differential: A whining noise that increases with speed could also be a sign of a failing differential. This is the part of the car that transfers power from the engine to the wheels.

It's important to have a professional mechanic diagnose and fix the issue to prevent further damage to your vehicle.

Power steering pump. Fluid is either low or the pump is wearing out.

Whinning Causes
The whining noise you hear coming from the power steering pump is one of three things. The first is more of a loud "hush" than a whine; this is the sound of fluid rushing through the bypass valve when you turn the wheel all the way to one side or the other. Sometimes the bypass valve malfunctions or doesn't open all the way, causing pressure to back up in the pump and cause your engine rpm to drop. The second and third causes result from cavitation -- vacuum pockets created behind the rotor's vane blades as a result of extremely high pump action -- or air in the lines.

Check your power steering fluid level ?

hi Eva.
As you turn your steering wheel it is this fluid pressure that aids in turning the wheels of your car. ... If the pump impeller is trying to move power steering fluid and starts catching air bubbles it can cause whining noises and vibrations to occur.
Maybe you've heard it at a stop light. Maybe you've heard it as you pass a car on the freeway. Or maybe you've heard it in the parking lot at work when someone is leaving. The unmistakable whine of a power steering pump can make even the most confident mechanic wonder when that car will breakdown.
Power steering pump noise is a unique noise that your car may make and once you've heard it you always know what it is. The noise is a mix of a whirring and a whining and will always vary with the speed of your engine whether your car is driving or in park. This whining noise can be subtle or extremely loud and may be worse in colder weather, or right when you first start your car.
Power steering pumps are most often vain style centrifugal pumps that are tasked with pressurizing the power steering fluid and pushing it down to your power steering gear or rack. As you turn your steering wheel it is this fluid pressure that aids in turning the wheels of your car.
There are a few reasons why you are hearing power steering pump noise from your car. First, it may simply be due to the design of the pump. Sometimes, noisy power steering pumps can continue to work flawlessly for years after they start making noise. This may simply be due to the manufacture's design or a tight tolerance in that particular pump. In this case, you would hear the noise but not see any other adverse effect like a loss in power steering, leaking fluid or a wobbly pulley. In this case, you may be able to help reduce your power steering pump noise by choosing a different type of power steering fluid, like a synthetic fluid.
Your power steering pump may also be making noises due to air trapped in the system. If the pump impeller is trying to move power steering fluid and starts catching air bubbles it can cause whining noises and vibrations to occur. Even tiny air bubbles you cannot see that are trapping in the power steering fluid may be causing the whining you are hearing. In this case, the best thing to do is flush your power steering system to try and remove the air from the system. Having air trapped in your power steering system can be difficult to diagnose so you may need to simply try a power steering flush to see if it solves your problem.
Power Steering pump noise may also be due to a failing power steering pump. As the bearings on the impeller go bad it will start to make noise as the pump is turning. If you have a bad power steering pump you usually will also experience leaks from around the pulley, a wobbly pulley, or difficulty turning the steering wheel when you are stopped. If you have multiple of these symptoms together, it is probably time to replace your power steering pump.
Lastly, and most usually, a whining power steering pump is an indication of a low fluid level. Your power steering fluid is probably something you have rarely if ever checked, so it often comes as a surprise if the level is low. Your power steering fluid reservoir is also relatively small so even a slow leak will cause a low fluid level relatively quickly. To confirm this is your problem it is as simple as checking your power steering fluid level. Some power steering reservoirs are clear so you can see through them to check how full they are. You may have to wipe away some dirt and grime to find the "full" line, but it should be easy to check. If you have an opaque power steering fluid reservoir there should be a small dipstick under the cap that will help you measure the fluid level. If it is low, then you have a leak somewhere and topping off the fluid should quite down your power steering pump.
If you discover a power steering leak, rather than simply continuing to add fluid every time it gets low, you should fix the problem permanently so you don't have to continue to check your power steering fluid level. Replacing lines or seals can be a surprisingly difficult task due to the location of your power steering pump and steering gear or rack. The easiest way to seal your leak is to do it from the inside out!

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Power steering whining sqreeching Google Search

you can hear your power steering pump working and if it's whining, it may be low on fluid.
Check the fluid level with the engine running and be very careful of moving or rotating parts.
Locate the pump and check the level (the cap will usually have a dipstick to measure the level attached to the cap and you read it the same way as your engine oil dipstick). DO NOT overfill the pump as it will just leak out and cause other issues.
If the level is very low, top it up then work the steering from side to side a few times then recheck the level. Careful, power steering fluid can get very hot!!
If the fluid in the pump looks dark or black, take the vehicle to your local mechanic and have the fluid replaced and the system flushed.

The whine is most likely your power steering pump. Check the fluid in the pump. If you are low on power steering fluid you may have a leaking hose or fitting or the seals in the pump may have began leaaking. If you continue to run the auto without power steering fluid you will burn up the power steering pump very quickly.

first check the fluid but when its low it will make a whining sound so not that likely if you are not hearing anything. the way to check the fluid is to take the cap of the resevoir and it has a dipstick on it. the resevoir is on the power steering pump which on your car i believe is on the belt side of the engine between the engine and the firewall. what is most likely your problem is that your pump is worn out and needs to be changed.

Run the car from the top of a hill and let it coast at your whining speed. Put it in Neutral, does the whine disappear?
If not its in the drivetrain (wheels, driveshafts, tranny)
Very unlikely to be the timing belt. If it appears at a fixed speed then its drivetrain, if it whines at fixed revs its the engine.
Most likey the transmission I fear....Tires will also make loud whining noise too though...