Power Steering Fluid

1
Power Steering Fluid
I. The Problems
2
The Problems
US Driving Conditions

• According to a recent survey

• 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

3
Power Steering Critical
The Problems

• Today's driver expects power steering to
  provide

• Ease of steering
• Precision steering control
• All-temperature service

• Power steering is critical to motorists safe,
  secure driving experience

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The Problems
Sensitive, Sophisticated System

• 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

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

5
Power Steering Fluid - Life Blood
The Problems

• Power steering fluid is the life blood of the
  system

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

• High pressure

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

6
Heat and Pressure
The Problems

• High heat and pressure cause
• Oxidation

• Fluid deterioration
• Reduced lubricity
• Contaminant accumulation
• Varnish and sludge deposits
• Eventually cause power steering unit clogging

7
Wear Metal Dirt Contamination
The Problems

• 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

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Power Steering Fluid Oil Analysis Results - 1
The Problems
Note A Abnormal Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles
C Critical Wear Metals Wear Metals Wear Metals Wear Metals 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
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The Problems
Power Steering Fluid Oil Analysis Results - 2
Note A Abnormal Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles
C Critical Wear Metals Wear Metals Wear Metals Wear Metals 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
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The Problems
Power Steering Fluid Oil Analysis Results - 3
Note A Abnormal Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles Abrasive Particles
C Critical Wear Metals Wear Metals Wear Metals Wear Metals 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
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Metal and Dirt Abrasives
The Problems

• 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

12
Lack of Maintenance Problems
The 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

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Power Steering Fluid
II. The Solution
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MAP/AMRA Recommendations
The Solution

• MAP/AMRA Uniform Inspection and Communications
  Standards for

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

Power Steering Pumps (continued) Condition Code Pr
ocedure Fluid at or beyond service
interval 3 Suggest fluid change Fluid
Contaminated B Require flushing and refilling
of the system
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Diagnostics Information
The Solution

• 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.
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Service Indicators
The Solution

• 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

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Flushing
The Solution

• Flushing rids the power steering system of

• Oxidized power steering fluid
• Varnish deposits
• Abrasive wear metal and dirt particles
• Other debris and contaminants

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Fluid Replacement
The Solution

• 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

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Customer Benefits
The Solution

• 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

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Recommended Interval
The Solution

• Flushing fluid replacement recommended interval

• 30,000 miles or every two years, whichever comes
  first
• Low mileage vehicles frequently encounter more
  severe city drivingsteering 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

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Power Steering Fluid
Thank you
The End