How to Replace Power Steering Fluid for a 2008 Mercury Mariner

You can replace your 2008 Mercury Mariner’s power steering fluid by locating the reservoir, using a pump to drain the old fluid, and topping it off with new fluid.
Written by Katherine Duffy
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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Replacing the power steering fluid in your Mercury Mariner is easy—just find the reservoir cap and open it, pump the old fluid out, fill the reservoir with new fluid, and put the cap back on. 
Have you been noticing your steering wheel is stiffer than usual, and it’s even begun to make loud screeching noises when you turn? Chances are you need to replace your power steering fluid. 
Don’t panic yet—you can replace the fluid at home easily and for as little as $12, and if you’d rather bring it to your mechanic, it’ll cost you about $120.
Interested in learning more about what to do if your Mariner needs new power steering fluid? You’re in luck—
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Mercury Mariner insurance costs
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How do I replace my 2008 Mercury Mariner’s power steering fluid? 

Servicing the power steering fluid
in your 2008 Mercury Mariner is a simple and straightforward process. Follow these steps to do this quick job at home: 
  • Find the 2008 Mercury Mariner power steering fluid location. Pop the hood of your Mariner and look for a red-colored cap on the passenger side of the vehicle. The cap is often close to the windshield washer fluid cap. 
  • Take the cap off and insert a pump into the fluid opening. Use a pump from a soap bottle, shampoo, or another pump-style dispenser at home.
  • Pump the old fluid out of the reservoir. Use the pump like you would to dispense soap to pump out all of the old fluid. Make sure you use some sort of container to catch the old fluid. You can dispose of the fluid once you’re finished. 
  • Refill the reservoir. Take your new fluid and fill the reservoir up. Remember to put the cap back on to avoid spilling! 
Once you’ve completed all four steps, you’re finished with this simple job! If you love completing car jobs at home, you can add in these extra steps to make sure you’ve been as thorough as possible: 
  • Disconnect your fluid line. 
  • Wiggle your steering wheel back and forth. This will get every last drop of old fluid out of your reservoir before you top it off with new fluid. 
Not a fan of working on your car at home? No worries! Your regular maintenance mechanic would be happy to change your power steering fluid for you. Flushing out the old fluid and refilling your reservoir typically takes about an hour to complete. Your bill is similar to an oil change charge—around $120. 
MORE: How to check and add power steering fluid

Should I change it myself or take it to a mechanic? 

If you’re unsure about whether you can do this job at home, you should always
take your car to a repair shop
. Your mechanic will make sure the fluid change is done properly the first time so you don’t waste any time or money on doing a job you’d rather not complete. 
On the other hand, if you’re on a budget and you’re confident you can get this job done at home, you should try to do it from your garage or parking lot. You’ll have to pay about $15 to $20 for the power steering fluid and you’ll have to spend time familiarizing yourself with your car’s power steering fluid reservoir, but you’ll save lots of money down the line. 

Which power steering fluid is best for a 2008 Mercury Mariner?

There’s a huge variety of great options when it comes to choosing the right power steering fluid for your 2008 Mercury Mariner. Our top choice is the
Prestone power steering fluid
because it’s cost-effective and reliable. 
Here’s a table of our top choices:
Power steering fluid
Amount
Cost
Prestone PSF
12 ounces
$12.99
Peak Full Synthetic North American
12 ounces
$13.29
Pentosin ATF 44
5 liters
$71.99
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Pro tip Ensure that the power steering fluid you buy is compatible with American cars! 

When do I need to replace my 2008 Mercury Mariner’s power steering fluid?

In general, you should aim to change your Mercury Mariner’s power steering fluid about every two years, or every 50,000 miles—whichever comes first. Keeping up with regular maintenance of your fluid levels prolongs the life of your car. 
Maintaining your power steering fluid is especially important, as it keeps your steering system working smoothly. 
Sometimes your power steering fluid needs to be replaced before the suggested time period has passed. Watch out for these tell-tale signs that you need to swap your power steering fluid: 
  • Strange noises when you turn the wheel (screeching, squeaking, etc.)
  • Difficulty steering
  • Bubbles in your power steering fluid
  • Fluid leakage
  • Color change from clear to yellow
Make it a priority to keep up with a
basic car maintenance schedule
for your Mercury Mariner. It’ll reward you with many years of driving to come! 
MORE:

How to save money on Mercury insurance 

You can save about $100 by replacing your power steering fluid at home, but did you know you could
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FAQs

Yes! Changing your power steering fluid at home is an easy way to save on labor costs. Just find the 2008 Mercury Mariner power steering fluid location, remove the reservoir cap, drain the reservoir with a pump, refill it with new fluid, and pop the cap back on!
Power steering fluid can cost anywhere from $10-$75, but you generally don’t need to spend more than $20 to get the job done.
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