Power Steering FluidI. The Problems

US Driving Conditions

– 63% average trips under 20 miles– 57% driving stop-and-go traffic

• Short trips, stop-and-go driving, packed engine compartments, hot running engines cause:

– Increased demands on power steering unit– High temperatures and low cooling air flow

• According to a recent survey:

Power Steering Critical

• Today's driver expects power steering to provide: – Ease of steering – Precision steering control– All-temperature service

• Power steering is critical to motorist’s safe, secure driving experience

• Power steering system is sophisticated hydraulic servo actuator:– “A sensing element, an

amplifier and a hydraulic piston that supplies power to a mechanism used in the actuating and automatic control of a mechanical device”

Sensitive, Sophisticated System

• System must function freely and precisely to provide precision steering and handling

Power Steering Fluid - “Life Blood”

• Power steering fluid is the “life blood” of the system

– High pressure

• Pressure in a power steering system on hard turns is much higher than an automatic transmission under load

• Power steering fluid is subjected to extremes in:– High temperatures

Heat and Pressure

• High heat and pressure cause: – Oxidation

– Fluid deterioration – Reduced lubricity – Contaminant accumulation – Varnish and sludge deposits

• Eventually cause power steering unit clogging

Wear Metal & Dirt Contamination

• See following 3 slides; Power Steering Fluid Oil Analysis Results– Tables compiled from oil analysis reports on power steering fluids

taken from a random sampling of vehicles– Iron, Lead, Copper, Tin, Aluminum – abrasive wear metal

particles – Silicon – abrasive dirt particles– Numbers indicate parts per million (ppm) of abrasive particles– Numbers with “A” represent “Abnormal” (high) level of abrasives– Numbers with “C” represent “Critical” (very high) level of

abrasives• "Abnormal" and "Critical" indicate need for fluid replacement

• Observe pattern of increased abrasive wear metal and dirt particle accumulation with increased mileage

Power Steering Fluid Oil Analysis Results - 1

Note: A* = Abnormal Abrasive Particles

C* = Critical Wear Metals Dirt

Mileage - Manu. - Year Iron Lead Copper Tin Alum. Silicon

14,317 - Jeep - 2001 35 0 6 0 0 11

20,117 - Ford - 2001 41 1 7 1 0 3

20,779 - Chevrolet - 2000 61 A* 16 17 0 1 2

21,046 - Honda - 2001 51 A* 10 10 816 C* 4 80 C*

21,184 - Dodge - 2001 126 C* 3 11 0 2 5

23,163 - Infinity - 1999 54 C* 24 9 C* 0 1 30 A*

25,662 - Lexus - 1999 243 C* 2 990 C* 0 3 30 A*

27,339 - Toyota - 2000 81 A* 97 C* 164 C* 0 3 7

28,018 - Jeep - 2000 77 A* 1 2 0 1 23 A*

29,117 - Lincoln - 1998 52 A* 2 9 0 0 5

Power Steering Fluid Oil Analysis Results - 2

Note: A* = Abnormal Abrasive Particles

C* = Critical Wear Metals Dirt

Mileage - Manu. - Year Iron Lead Copper Tin Alum. Silicon

32,096 - Nissan - 1998 53 A* 17 1 0 0 95 A*

34,911 - Ford - 1997 18 7 755 C* 0 1 8

36,601 - Chevrolet - 2000 81 A* 5 14 0 1 3

39,116 - Mazda - 1998 45 5 52 A* 1 1 3

42,954 - Honda - 1999 19 3 146 C* 0 1 17

43,121 - Infiniti - 1998 172 C* 16 1 1 1 129 C*

49,371 - Nissan - 1999 16 16 1 0 3 69 A*

49,981 - Lincoln - 1998 59 A* 2 8 0 1 4

74,527 - Nissan - 1989 88 A* 20 63 A* 0 2 39

76,295 - Jeep - 1998 108 A* 0 1 0 0 20

Power Steering Fluid Oil Analysis Results - 3

Note: A* = Abnormal Abrasive Particles

C* = Critical Wear Metals Dirt

Mileage - Manu. - Year Iron Lead Copper Tin Alum. Silicon

80,919 - Chevrolet - 1995 63 A* 6 5 0 1 17

83,823 - Chevrolet - 1999 107 C* 27 6 1 0 19

84,651 - Olds. - 1995 359 C* 75 C* 18 14 0 65 C*

94,402 - Mazda - 1995 355 C* 18 12 0 4 6

98,952 - Suzuki - 1998 179 A* 2 294 A* 0 0 37

111,571 - Cadillac - 1992 262 A* 256 A* 14 40 A* 2 43

114,529 - Pontiac - 1992 113 A* 3 2 0 0 61 A*

122,841 - Toyota - 1993 199 A* 53 A* 726 A* 0 1 4

145,227 - Buick - 1994 313 A* 97 A* 13 16 A* 1 64 A*

Metal and Dirt Abrasives

• Abrasive wear metal and dirt particles grind at friction surfaces, seals, etc., and can cause: – Fluid leakage – Power steering unit

chatter and squeal – Hard, rough or jerky turns

– Premature power steering unit failure

Lack of Maintenance Problems

• Lack of maintenance can lead to power steering unit problems

• Power steering unit repair or replacement is:– Expensive

– A time consuming hassle for the customer

Power Steering FluidII. The Solution

• MAP/AMRA Uniform Inspection and Communications Standards for:

MAP/AMRA Recommendations

Power Steering Pumps (continued)Condition Code Procedure

Fluid at or beyond service interval 3 Suggest fluid change

Fluid Contaminated B Require flushing and refilling of the system

– Steering and Suspension, Wheel Alignment, and Wheels and Tires

Diagnostics Information

• Quote from “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Ford Taurus SHO”– from Ford Taurus SHOTIMES mailing list,

diagnostic information from technicians and owners:

“Power Steering Fluid Change

You won't find this in any service schedules or owners manuals, but the power steering system should be serviced every 30K miles. The fluid isn't subjected to acids like the engine oil, but it is subjected to heat and pressure like an automatic transmission.”

Service Indicators

• Easily noticeable indications that the power steering fluid needs maintenance:– Dark power steering fluid color

• PSF is clear, or red ATF. Both fluids turn dark from oxidation due to heat & pressure

– Fluid leakage– Chatter or squeal– Hard, rough or jerky turns– Stiff steering on “cold starts”

Flushing

• Flushing rids the power steering system of:– Oxidized power steering fluid– Varnish deposits– Abrasive wear metal and dirt

particles– Other debris and contaminants

Fluid Replacement

• Replacing old fluid with new power steering fluid in a clean system:– Restores lubricity– Reduces wear– Reduces oxidation and corrosion– Reduced clogging– Reduces foaming and “cavitation”– Prolongs seal and o-ring life

Customer Benefits

• Power steering system flushing and fluid replacement before damage occurs provides the customer with:– Major savings on repair costs– Restored ease of steering,

eliminating jerks and squeals– Quiet, smooth, uniform vehicle control– Safe, secure steering “peace of mind”

Recommended Interval

• Flushing & fluid replacement recommended interval– 30,000 miles or every two years,

whichever comes first• Low mileage vehicles frequently

encounter more severe “city driving”steering conditions, with frequent turns and low cooling air flow

– Recommendation based on: • Oil analysis sampling showing abrasive

wear metal and dirt contamination • MAP/AMRA Uniform Inspection and

Communications Standards

– Technicians will also make recommendations based on observable fluid conditions

Power Steering Fluid

The End

“Thank you”