Substitute PS Fluid ?

[PaulR3]

2005 F150
PS fluid is a few ounces below the fill line so I need just a little bit.
My manual calls for Motorcraft Dexron Mercon ATF part #XT-2-QDX.
Question: Is Valvoline Mercon V a suitable fluid to add/mix with the stock PS fluid?

Thanks in advance.
paul

 

[Familyguy]

Mercon V should be just fine.

 

[JOD]

There's actually a TSB out there back-spec'ing Merc V for Merc applications, at least for PS.

 

[JohnBrowning]

YOu can use almost any good ATF so GM DexVI or ATF+4 or Redline Powersteering fluid etc......The thing is you are best not to mix drastically different products so in some case's a draina nd refill would be in order! FOr instance my Dodge came with hydralic dino fluid......I replaced the fluid with Amsoil ATF about 6 months before a TSB came out telling dealerships to switch to ATF+4 because it worked better in extremely hot and cold environments then their old hydralic powersteering fluid. OEM's will never recomend another companies product but in the case of power steering their is nothing in it that would require the use of just Ford based Mercon FLuids any good synthetic ATF would work great!

 

[OVERKILL]

Flush it with Mobil 1 ATF if you are feeling spendy. I've had fantastic results with it in every Ford PS pump I've used it in.

 

[crinkles]

funny, just did my PS this morning. used amsoil ATF, used pump to pump out reservoir, went for a long drive, repeat. old fluid was 50% toyota factory and 50% castrol Dex III-H - smelt burnt after 50,000 miles. was also getting pretty noisy (the ps pump - eeeek!)

 

[OVERKILL]

I normally pump the reservoir, but I still had a bit of noise I was trying to get rid of in the Expy. I've had three different fluids in it so far.....

SO, removed the return line, plugged it at the reservoir, and stuffed it into an empty 5L M1 bottle. Had my wife start the truck and work the steering from lock-to-lock as I dumped fresh Mobil 1 ATF into it.

Immediate result: Noise completely gone after driving it a couple of Km's to get any air out.

Unexpected result: Significant reduction in steering effort. This surprised me.