If you own a Lincoln Town Car built between 1997 and 2011, you will need to change the power steering fluid every 50,000 to 75,000 miles, or once every 3 to 4 years, whichever comes first. Taking your Lincoln Town Car to the shop for this service can cost upwards of $100, but you can do it yourself for as low as $20!

Just like in any other vehicle with a hydraulic power steering system, pre-2012 Lincoln Town Cars need power steering fluid to help lubricate and pressurize the steering system, making steering smoother and more dependable. You will start having trouble steering if your power steering fluid is too old or gets contaminated, in which case the fluid needs to be drained and replaced.

If you’ve never changed a Lincoln Town Car’s power steering fluid before, you may be at a loss for where to start. If that’s the case, don’t worry—the

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What type of power steering fluid does a Lincoln Town Car use?

If you own a Lincoln Town Car manufactured between 1997 and 2007, we recommend replacing your power steering fluid with

Motorcraft’s MERCON LV Automatic Transmission Fluid

, which can be purchased in a 1-quart bottle for $12.99.

If, on the other hand, you drive a Lincoln Town Car built between 2008 and 2011, we recommend using

Motorcraft’s MERCON V ATF

, which can be bought in a 5-quart jug for $42.00.

Remember, however, that these are just general recommendations—you can also check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s suggestion or try one of these alternatives brands:

Prestone Power Steering Fluid + Stop Leak 50,000 Mile Anti-Wear, 32 ounces

— $9.69

Peak Original Equipment Technology Full Synthetic North American Power Steering Fluid, 12 ounces

— $13.29

Prestone MAX American Vehicle Synthetic 100k Miles Power Steering Fluid + Stop Leak, 12 ounces

— $12.99

MORE: How to check and add power steering fluid

How to change a Lincoln Town Car’s power steering fluid

If you’ve decided that it’s time to change your Lincoln Town Car’s power steering fluid, you’ll need to gather the following tools:

A fluid pump or turkey baster

Clean rags

Pliers

Once you have everything you need, follow the instructions below to change your Lincoln Town Car’s power steering fluid:

Open the hood and find the power steering reservoir. It is typically near or on the engine and may be white or yellow. Most have a black cap.

Remove the cap and use the fluid pump or turkey baster to remove the old power steering fluid. Pump it into a sealable container so that you can properly dispose of it later.

Fill the reservoir to about halfway with the new power steering fluid. Replace the cap and make sure it is firmly in place.

Disconnect the power steering fluid line. There should be a small set of clamps that can be loosened with your pliers. Once the clamps are disconnected, drain the system of any remaining fluid.

Turn your Lincoln’s engine on and let it run until it reaches normal operating temperatures. As the engine idles, turn the steering wheel until it locks, then turn it back the other way to the opposite lock. Repeat several times to force the new fluid through the power steering system.

Reattach the power steering hose, fill the reservoir up to the “MAX” fill line, and run the engine for about 10 seconds. Restart the vehicle and top off the fluid a final time.

Once you’ve completed these steps, check underneath the reservoir and power steering lines for leaks. If everything looks good, take your vehicle out for a drive and verify that your steering is once again smooth.

MORE: Why does my steering wheel shake, and how do I fix it?

How often should I change my Lincoln Town Car’s power steering fluid?

Lincoln recommends that you change your Lincoln Town Car’s power steering fluid every 50,000 to 75,000 miles, or once every 3 to 4 years, whichever comes first.

Of course, you should also periodically check your power steering fluid in between changes and keep an eye out for the following symptoms of low or contaminated power steering fluid:

Dark brown or black power steering fluid

Loose or unusually easy steering

Difficulty operating or turning the steering wheel

Odd noises (such as groaning or knocking) from under the hood when the steering wheel is turned

If you start noticing any of the aforementioned issues, it’s worth checking to see whether your power steering fluid is still in good condition or if it needs to be replaced.

MORE:

Car loan for Lincoln

How to find affordable car insurance

One simple way to save yourself a few hundred dollars on vehicle-related expenses is to learn how to change your Lincoln’s power steering fluid at home—another easy way is by reducing your Lincoln’s car insurance payments with licensed broker and

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