The Ford Explorer debuted at the forefront of the 1990s SUV boom in 1991. The Explorer has had several safety features upgrades in 2004 and later models, but very little has changed under the hood that will affect your ability to perform home maintenance. Refilling the power steering fluid and checking other fluid levels is a simple procedure that prolongs car life and improves safety on the road.
Check your power steering fluid levels every 15,000 miles in your Ford Explorer, and pay special attention to fluid systems at about 60,000 miles, since many leaks begin occurring at about 75,000 miles and damage can be prevented by catching early wear and tear.
Park your Explorer on a level surface and check the fluids when the engine is cool. An inclined surface can change the fluid level in the power steering reservoir and cause an inaccurate reading, as can hot fluid.
Locate the poweR steering fluid reservoir in the lower left front area of the engine. The reservoir should be labeled and have clear markings for low and maximum fluid levels.
Determine if the fluid is above the low level mark. You can add GM-approved fluid up to the maximum level mark, but add fluid slowly and make sure that you don't over fill the reservoir.
Assess the surrounding hoses and connectors for broken, worn or loose parts or any other signs of leaks occurring. Check for hidden leaks if no leak is obvious but you are having to refill the reservoir often.
