Ford Taurus Power Steering Fluid
If you own a Ford Taurus built before 2013, you will need to change out your power steering fluid every 4 -5 years—click here to learn more.
Written by Andrew Biro
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If you own a Ford Taurus manufactured between the model years 1996 and 2012, you will need to change out your power steering fluid once every 4 to 5 years, or after every 50,000-75,000 miles, whichever comes first. Any Ford Taurus built after 2012 uses an electric power steering system and does not require power steering fluid.
As is the case for any vehicle with a hydraulic power steering system, all Ford Tauruses built prior to 2013 require power steering fluid to help pressurize and lubricate the power steering system. You will need to change your power steering fluid if steering becomes difficult or if the fluid itself is contaminated.
But if you’ve never changed a car’s power steering fluid before, don’t worry—licensed broker and
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat type of power steering fluid does a Ford Taurus use?
If you drive a Ford Taurus built between 1996 and 2007, you should only use
Motorcraft MERCON LV Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
, which can be bought in 1-quart containers for $10.99.For those who own a Ford Taurus built between 2008 and 2012, we recommend using
Motorcraft MERCON V ATF
, which can be purchased in 5-quart bottles for roughly $39.99. You can, however, use a different brand if you prefer—check below for a few of our alternative recommendations:How to change a Ford Taurus’ power steering fluid
Fortunately, changing your Ford Taurus’ power steering fluid at home isn’t very difficult, but it may require you to get your hands dirty—if you’re up for that, start by gathering the following tools:
- Fluid pump (or, if you don’t have one, a turkey baster, soap-dispenser pump, etc.)
- Car jack and jack stands
- Old rags or shop towels
- Rubber cap
- Empty container
Once you’ve readied your tools, follow the instructions below to change out your Ford Taurus’ power steering fluid:
- With the jack, raise the front wheels so that only a few centimeters separate them from the ground—this step is not required, but it does facilitate the process.
- Unscrew the cap to the power steering reservoir and use a pump to remove the majority of the old fluid from the reservoir.
- To remove the last of the fluid inside the power steering system, you’ll need to unplug the return hose (this is usually the thinner of the two hoses and will be attached sideways). Once the hose is unplugged, place the end of it in an empty container to catch the fluid as it drains.
- Plug the mouth of the return hose with the rubber cap.
- Add about half of your power steering fluid to the reservoir.
- Switch the engine on.
- Turn the steering wheel from side to side a few times—as you do this, the old power steering fluid that is still in the system will drain from the unplugged hose into the container.
- Add more fluid to the reservoir as the fluid level decreases.
- Once you start to see clean, red fluid coming out of the hose, you’ve flushed the power steering system of all the old fluid.
- Turn the engine off, remove the rubber cap and plug the hose back in its place.
- Fill the reservoir to the “MAX FILL” line.
- Remove the jack and jack stands.
As long as you follow these instructions, you should have no trouble changing your Ford Taurus power steering fluid!
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Ford common problems
How often should I change my Ford Taurus power steering fluid?
If you own a Ford Taurus with a hydraulic power steering system, you will need to
change out the power steering fluid
once every 4 to 5 years, or after every 50,000 - 75,000 miles, whichever comes first.In the interim, you should be checking your power steering fluid every so often in case it becomes contaminated earlier than expected or starts to leak—it also pays to be on the lookout for the following symptoms of low, dirtied, or leaking power steering fluid:
- Change in fluid color from pink to dark brown or black
- Steering becomes difficult or stiff
- Noise can be heard from under the hood when the steering wheel is turned
- Steering becomes unusually loose or sloppy
If you start noticing one or more of the aforementioned symptoms, you probably need to change your Taurus power steering fluid sooner rather than later.
MORE:
Car loans for Ford 2022
How to find affordable car insurance
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