# 2004 Ford Escape power steering fluid Wrong Type?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-ford-escape-power-steering-fluid-wrong-type/17044>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [July 22, 2008, 12:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-ford-escape-power-steering-fluid-wrong-type/17044 "2008-07-22T00:07:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Steve\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@Steve\_S](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Steve_S)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 12:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-ford-escape-power-steering-fluid-wrong-type/17044/1 "2008-07-22T00:07:18Z")

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A few months ago I went to my local Ford Dealer to get some Mercon ATF fluid for the power steering on my 04 Ford Escape. They sold me Ford Power steering Fuid for Type F applications. F7AZ-3F823-AA. They stated they use it all the time.  
  
 It has been several months and the cars power steering has started to make a whinning or dry sound when turning. After checking several sites on the net I found information that states the the F fluid should not be used in the newer Fords and only Mercon V should be used.  
  
 I have several questions.  
  
 Could the F fluid be causing the noise?  
  
 Would a power steering fluid flush and replacing the fluid with Mercon solve the noise?  
  
 Is the damage already done?  
  
 Any help would be apprecaiated.  
  
 Steve S

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**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 12:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-ford-escape-power-steering-fluid-wrong-type/17044/2 "2008-07-22T00:12:01Z")

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They should have sold you Mercon V as Mercon is no longer sold by Ford and Mercon V will work. You could have picked up some Mercon at an auto parts store. I can’t say if Type F will work or will damage. The statements that you found about Mercon V and Type F might refer only to transmissions and not PS, but I can’t say for sure. I can’t imagine why the stealership sold you type F unless they have a rail car full of it that they need to get rid of.

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-ford-escape-power-steering-fluid-wrong-type/17044/3 "2008-07-22T00:20:11Z")

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What does your owner’s manual say on the subject?

I would definitely flush out the TypeF if it isn’t the right type. But some damage may have been done.

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**Author:** ![Steve\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@Steve\_S](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Steve_S)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-ford-escape-power-steering-fluid-wrong-type/17044/4 "2008-07-22T00:52:36Z")

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I appreciate you responding to my question.  
Steve