Hello. I have an 03 Ford Focus ZX5. I took my car to get an oil change over the weekend and was told that the car is fine, but only needs to have a power steering flush and brake fluid flush as well. I believe the price I was given ($280.) is pretty high, and maybe since I am a lady, he thought I would just give him the okay. I know that I do need to have it flushed because I notice that my steering wheel makes a sound and is hard to turn at times, but I do not want to pay that much. I have no problem getting dirty and working on my car, if that is what needs to be done. I can change my own oil, lol and know a good amount about cars so please, if anyone can give me ideas or opinions, I would greatly apreciate it. Thanks!
RE: How often should power steering fluid brake fluid be flushed? I am driving a 2001 RAV4 which has 30,000 miles on it. I had a 30,000 miles major maintenance performed recently at car dealership. The service person recommended that we flush both the power steering fluid brake fluid because he saw some discoloring in both fluid. Each flush would cost about.
without looking at your car i can tell you that your brake fluid does not need flushed. my explorer is a 1994 and the brake fluid is factory original. as for power steering. it's 03 i doubt it's that abused to need flushed being most cars that are on the road never had this service done. but if you must change the power steering. pull out a turkey baster. stick it in the reservoir draw out this fluid until it's empty. replace it with whatever ford recommends i don't know for sure if they still go by the type f or if they ever switched over to regular power steering fluid. make sure you do not over fill it. but if u do u know the turkey baster will do the job. ps once you do this to the turkey baster do not put it back in the kitchen
The true story is this concerning brake fluid: It loves moisture. When moisture enters the braking system wheel cylinder or calipers it severely lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid. As you stop your car heat is transmitted from the brake pads to the calipers and in severe cases causes the brake fluid to actually boil. It's a very good policy to have the fluid exchanged every 6 -7 years. Water causes brake lines to rust out from the inside out also. It causes wheel cylinder and caliper sticking noot to mention plugging brake hoses and caliper bleeder screws. You might ask these guys why bleeder screws are always rusting in place? I think it's a little early to be flushing your power steering system. It sounds as if you have a power steering pump issue.
