If you drive a 2016 Ford Explorer
, you won’t have to worry about replacing power steering fluid—your vehicle has an electric power steering system. While you won’t have to change your power steering fluid at certain intervals, it still helps to know what warning signs to look out for if your power steering system has begun to fail. If you’ve ever attempted to drive a vehicle that didn’t have functioning power steering, you know how vital it is when it comes to making smooth turns and safely handling your vehicle.
That said, figuring out the requirements for maintaining a vehicle’s power steering system—and how often you should perform maintenance items like replacing power steering fluid—can be complicated.
So, if you’re the owner of a 2016 Ford Explorer, does it need power steering fluid replacements—and if so, how often, and with what kind of fluid? Jerry
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How do I replace my 2016 Ford Explorer’s power steering fluid?
Replacing a vehicle’s power steering fluid
tends to be a pretty straightforward process: you pump the oil fluid out of the power steering fluid reservoir, then refill it with fresh power steering fluid and replace the cap. That said, replacing power steering fluid on a 2016 Ford Explorer is even easier—that’s because it doesn’t use any.
The 2016 Ford Explorer has an electric power steering (EPS) system, which means there isn’t any power steering fluid to check or replace.
Instead of relying on hydraulics, which is where power steering fluid would come into play, an EPS system is powered by electricity. There are certain vehicles with power systems that use a combination of hydraulics and electricity, but the 2016 Ford Explorer isn’t one of them.
MORE: How to check and add power steering fluid
How do you maintain an electric power steering system?
You don’t need to worry about finding the right power steering fluid for a 2016 Ford Explorer. But are there other kinds of routine maintenance an electric power steering system needs?
Generally speaking, an EPS system doesn’t require much in terms of routine and preventative maintenance. However, just like any other system that’s part of your vehicle, it’ll be subject to wear and tear over the years.
If you’re the owner of a 2016 Ford Explorer, your steering system is definitely something you’ll want to keep a close eye on. Ford issued a recall
of 775,000 2013-2017 Ford Explorers after reports of injuries that were traced back to steering problems. The problem in this case was related to a cross-axis ball joint rather than power steering, however.
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When it comes to your power steering system specifically, these are some warning signs that could signal your power steering is beginning to fail:
Power steering warning light comes on
Steering wheel has become stiffer and harder to turn
Steering wheel has become too loose while turning
Unresponsive or delayed response when steering
Grinding or screeching noises
Vehicle wanders lanes or “dog tracks” involuntarily
A failed power steering system is a serious safety issue, as it affects your vehicle’s handling ability. If you notice any of these symptoms from your 2016 Ford Explorer, it’s a good idea to have your mechanic
take a look at the car as soon as possible. MORE: How to make your car last longer
Which power steering fluid is best for a 2016 Ford Explorer?
As you probably already know by now, the best power steering fluid for a 2016 Ford Explorer is no power steering fluid since it uses an electric power steering system.
When do I need to replace my 2016 Ford Explorer’s power steering fluid?
In vehicles that use power steering fluid, how often you need to replace the fluid can vary widely, so it’s a good idea to refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Common requirements are replacing your power steering fluid every two years, or every 30,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the vehicle.
But since your 2016 Ford Explorer’s electric power steering system doesn’t require power steering fluid, you won’t have to worry about replacing it at the right intervals.
That’s one less routine maintenance
item you’ll have to worry about! How to save money on Ford insurance
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