# HM oil on a used car? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [February 3, 2025, 5:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969 "2025-02-03T05:41:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/41 "2025-02-07T20:02:18Z")
Since the OP told us earlier that he/she has been “filling it to the top”, it’s now even more obvious that it’s been _grossly_ over-filled. ---
**Author:** ![Georgefocus2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Georgefocus2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Georgefocus2)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 10:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/42 "2025-02-07T22:09:27Z")
Nope, I just checked and no indicator on the outise and inside. And no dipstick. Maybe this one came with a dipstick, they lost it and bought a cap without one. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/43 "2025-02-07T22:55:19Z")
> **[Check Power Steering Level: 2009 Ford Focus SE 2.0L 4 Cyl. Sedan (4 Door)](https://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2009_Ford_Focus_SE_2.0L_4_Cyl._Sedan_(4_Door)/power_steering_fluid/check_fluid_level)** > > Complete video instructions on how to check the power steering fluid in a 2009 Ford Focus SE 2.0L 4 Cyl. Sedan (4 Door). Steps needed to check power steering fluid level in a 2009 Ford Focus SE 2.0L 4 Cyl. Sedan (4 Door) Tester ---
**Author:** ![Georgefocus2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Georgefocus2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Georgefocus2)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/44 "2025-02-07T23:05:04Z")
Mine is not like the one on the video. Is black. No line levels it a guessing game with mine. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 11:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/45 "2025-02-07T23:06:32Z")
You could post some pictures of it… just saying… ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 2:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/46 "2025-02-08T02:19:04Z")
Most aftermarket replacement pumps have cheap black plastic reservoirs, you will have to use your judgement when filling with fluid. If you see excessive foam in the reservoir, the fluid level is low (fluid aeration). Stop the engine, wait ten minutes for the foam to settle and add fluid _before_ starting the engine. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/0/6/069a306dc78bdf1eb4b394b8130d6846cf61c136.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Georgefocus2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Georgefocus2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Georgefocus2)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 1:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/47 "2025-02-08T13:01:49Z")
I will take a pic and im trying to do what was recommended above with a turkey baster and mercon V atf fluid. Im confused, if the rack, pinions or anything take mercon v why does the pump go out first? ---
**Author:** ![Georgefocus2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Georgefocus2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Georgefocus2)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/48 "2025-02-08T18:19:57Z")
Uploading: 20250208\_105628.jpg… Uploading: 20250208\_105625.jpg… Uploading: 20250208\_105615.jpg… Processing: 20250208\_105609.jpg… Uploading: 20250208\_105601.jpg… ---
**Author:** ![Georgefocus2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Georgefocus2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Georgefocus2)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/49 "2025-02-08T18:23:32Z")
So I put the Mercon V from Supertech. And a noise that was present yesterday inside the car is gone. Hopefully the mix doesnt cause any harm till a mechanic works on it. But I did do the steps that were recommended above. ---
**Author:** ![Georgefocus2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Georgefocus2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Georgefocus2)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/50 "2025-02-08T18:33:06Z")
When I was taking out the regular PS fluid, you could fit like 2-3 inches of the turkey baster. ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/51 "2025-02-08T20:56:34Z")
Just an educated guess but, I would fill it to about a 1/4 inch below the bottom of the fill neck. ---
**Author:** ![johnlump\_191311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@johnlump\_191311](https://community.cartalk.com/u/johnlump_191311)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/52 "2025-02-09T16:39:18Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > Just use the type of oil recommeded in the Owner’s Manual, and focus on very frequent oil changes in an effort to get some of the sludge out. Ask your mechanic to remove the valve cover in order to determine the extent of the sludging, and see if he recommends flushing the engine to get some sludge out. I concur. The best way to get rid of sludge is frequent oil changes for a while. Here’s what I’d do. Oil change in 1/2 month. Then double each time between until back on normal schedule. ---
**Author:** ![Georgefocus2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Georgefocus2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Georgefocus2)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2025, 7:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/53 "2025-02-09T19:15:59Z")
I know on rockauto it says the parts fit my car. But now im wondering if they actually work after the issue I had with a local auto shop, stating the regular ps fluid fits my car which it doesnt. I tried calling BBB industries, the one that manufactured the pump, but there closed today. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/54 "2025-02-09T20:30:01Z")
> [@Georgefocus2](#): > > local auto shop, stating the regular ps fluid fits my car which it doesnt. Use a funnel… There are millions of vehicles using multi-vehicle power steering fluid, it’s basically hydraulic fluid. Some vehicle manufactures have approved ATF to be used as a service replacement for power steering fluid. Your car came with ATF as a factory fill but power steering fluid will also work. ---
**Author:** ![Georgefocus2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Georgefocus2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Georgefocus2)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 2:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/55 "2025-02-10T02:05:18Z")
Idk but after I started using atf, the steering wheel is not shaking or vibrating drastically like before. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 2:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/56 "2025-02-10T02:08:58Z")
That wasn’t caused by the fluid type, the fluid level was low. Did you replace the leaking hose? ---
**Author:** ![Georgefocus2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Georgefocus2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Georgefocus2)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 2:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/57 "2025-02-10T02:20:09Z")
I havent replaced it. I was always putting regular ps fluid when runing low. This time I removed what was in the reservoir with a turkey baster and added ATF. So now everytime im low i add atf and theres a difference. Theres a threat on focus fanatics, stating how regular ps fluid demaged an old focus PS system. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 2:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/58 "2025-02-10T14:26:27Z")
> [@Georgefocus2](#): > > I tried calling BBB industries, the one that manufactured the pump, but there closed today. good luck with that. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 2:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/59 "2025-02-10T14:28:30Z")
> [@Georgefocus2](#): > > This time I removed what was in the reservoir with a turkey baster and added AT What does the owner’s manual say the fluid should be? Not all PS systems take ATF. ---
**Author:** ![Georgefocus2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Georgefocus2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Georgefocus2)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 3:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969/60 "2025-02-10T15:15:24Z")
Mercon V. ATF theres a pic above. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hm-oil-on-a-used-car/198969.md?page=2)