I own a 2000 Ford Contour and I noticed my power steering fluid was low. Does it matter what type of fluid I use or can I just throw any old power steering fluid in it?
2007-03-15 14:10:48 · 11 answers · asked by jgordon0505 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
No, you should not just "throw" any old power steering fluid in it. ALL Ford products use Dexron III Automatic transmission fluid as power steering fluid.
2007-03-15 15:18:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Every car is different. Some are, some aren't. Read the manual. I had a vehicle that used power steering fluid which was clear and thin. My minivan uses transmission fluid and says so in the manual. If no manual, look it up on line. You never told us what vehicle you have.
2016-03-29 00:31:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fords use ATF. Just get some automatic transmission fluid and top it off. If the fluid is low, you have a leak. If you can't find the leak on your own find a good repair shop.
2007-03-15 15:34:04 · answer #3 · answered by grease junkie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First check your mannufasturers recommendations for that car and follow it exactly...
If you do not you're asking for trouble...Especially with Fords (the four letter word of Automobiles...
i.e. in the mid 70's to early 80's on both Thunderbirds and Cougars if you used ATF instead of Ford Approved powere steering fluid... at about 20-30 minutes just as the fluid became hot...
these cars would puke that ATF right out on the ground out the ruined seals in the Power Steering gear box...
I watched a smart alec UTI Graduate (the competing school to AAI where I had graduated same time periiod both in Phoenix), rebuild a poweresteering box and then he added Dextron Mercon II to the resivior...
At AAI we we taught (and if the hand written note was in your margin area of not book noting do not ust ATF only use powersteering fluid for powersteering was there you got extra credit) do not put ATF in powersteering units unless specifically specified by the manufacturer...
Here is only part of the reason why... Power Steering units see far more pressure and temperatures than Auto matic transmissions do...
maximum pressure on a powersteering when at full lock (as far as you can turn steering wheel and you hear the pump squealing)
produces about 2200 PSI ( Pounds Per Square Inch) of pressure...
the maxuimum a auto trans sees is in reverse where it sees about a maximum of 465 PSI... that is one fourth (1/4 ) the pressure...
how can a fluid made to only withstand 1/4 the pressure survive in the new environment where pressure exceeds its maximum designed formulation specs??
Answer it can't... will break down/go bad. fail sooner
also what happens with heat when pressure goes up?? that's right it also correspondingly goes up
2007-03-15 14:52:30 · answer #4 · answered by Ronk W 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As previously stated you can substitute transmission fluid i place of power steering fluid.
BUT
Never put power steering fluid in your transmission.
2007-03-15 14:18:49 · answer #5 · answered by Skull 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any power steering fluid that you can pick up at a gas station or parts store will work.
2007-03-15 14:14:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
If it was me....I would check and see what is recommended. The wrong type fluid could cost you alot of money in repairs and down time. Check with a dealer or your local parts store.
2007-03-15 14:18:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
power stearing fluid varies, theres specific kinds. check ur local auto zone or kragen auto parts store. but some are universal
2007-03-15 14:17:04 · answer #8 · answered by emanny415 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i own a shop,and id look in the owners manual to see what they recommend for it but usually any power steering fluid is good enough to work on those ,as long as its s good brand you should be alright ,good luck i hope this helps.
2007-03-15 14:17:10 · answer #9 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I use automatic transmisson fluid it is cheaper.
2007-03-15 14:14:59 · answer #10 · answered by rkkbmx 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋