What kind of oil is in Ford Focus 2?

Technical experts recommend changing the power steering oil every two years or after 100 thousand kilometers; in some cases, this procedure will need to be carried out earlier, for example, when operating the car in difficult conditions. The need to change the power steering fluid in Focus 2 may be indicated by:

the appearance of a leak;
creaking sound of power steering;
difficult rotation of the steering column;
the steering wheel turns only with great effort;
decrease in fluid volume;
change in oil color;
the smell of burnt oil appears.

To determine whether the condition of the oil matches the color, simply apply a couple of drops to white paper or fabric.

Replacing power steering fluid in Ford Focus 2

Modern cars are equipped with a lot of additional functions that make operation more comfortable. For correct operation of each of them, regular diagnostics and timely maintenance are required. One of the important procedures includes replacing power steering fluid in a Ford Focus 2. This system ensures driving comfort and easy maneuvering. The fluid in the amplifier is necessary for the normal operation of the unit and the protection of polymer and rubber parts from premature wear.

Video “How to pump the power steering yourself?”

If after replacing the fluid the hydraulic booster does not work, check out the video made by user Sasha Petrov, which will help you figure out how to bleed the system.

Do you have any questions? Specialists and readers of the AUTODVIG website will help you ask a question

Was this article helpful?

Thank you for your opinion!

The article was useful. Please share the information with your friends.

Yes (100.00%)

Please write what is wrong and leave recommendations on the article

Cancel reply

Rate this article: ( 7 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Discuss the article:

When is an oil change required?

First, let's look at when it is necessary to change the power steering fluid and what is the frequency of replacement. According to technical regulations, the manufacturer fills this consumable into the system for the entire service life of the vehicle. But as a result of prolonged operation of the hydraulic system of a Ford Focus restyling, pre-restyling 2008, 2013 (or other year of manufacture), the quality of the lubricant may deteriorate during the active operation stage.

It is necessary to periodically check the condition of the oil, as well as its volume in the expansion tank. It is located in the engine compartment, on the right, near the engine mount.

Expansion tank for amplifier fluid

To effectively determine the quality of a consumable, you will need a syringe, with which you take a little oil from the tank and then drop it on a piece of paper or a napkin. The hydraulic booster system can use two types of oil - red and green. If you drop grease onto the paper and see that the color has not changed, then the consumable does not need to be changed. If the liquid has turned brown or black, and a burning smell is coming from the reservoir, then the substance must be changed. The need for replacement is indicated by deterioration in the quality of vehicle control and the appearance of extraneous sounds when turning the steering wheel.

Let’s summarize the “symptoms”, the presence of which indicates the need to change the fluid:

The appearance of extraneous sounds, creaking when turning the steering wheel. This can happen on both a cold and warm engine.
Difficulty turning the steering wheel. The driver needs to put in more effort to turn.
Deterioration in the quality of consumables. Changing the original color of the liquid.
Presence of a burning smell in the expansion tank.

Experienced car enthusiasts recommend changing the oil every 2-3 years, or at least every 100 thousand kilometers.

Why do you need power steering?

Power steering is one of the components of the steering mechanism, the main task of which is to provide so-called “feedback” between the driver and the car.

Thanks to the hydraulic booster, less effort is required to turn the steering wheel, which contributes to comfortable driving. In addition, power steering improves the stability of the car and softens the shock transmitted to the steering wheel when the steered wheels hit uneven roads.

Monitoring the quality of oil in the power steering ensures the functionality of this device.

What oil to fill in power steering Ford Focus 2

There are three types of oils based on color:

green - used in Italian-made cars;
red - Ford Focus, German assembly in Cologne;
yellow - Russian Vsevolozhsk plant.

Do not mix green oil with any other oil. Red oils are found in synthetic and mineral oils; mixing them is prohibited.

The Ford manufacturer recommends pouring original oil into Ford Focus 2. Such oils are marked as follows:

red - WSA-M2C-195-A, WSS-M2C-938-A;
green - WSS-M2C-204-A2.

If you want to save money, you can use cheaper analogues. According to reviews on the Internet, the following have relatively good quality:

Motocraft Merson LV XT10QLVC (red);
SWAG 06161 (green).

What tools will you need?

You can change the oil in the unit yourself, saving on service station fees. The process does not require complex equipment, special knowledge or unusual skills. Before you begin the replacement, you should make sure that all the tools necessary for a successful procedure are available and at hand.

To change the oil in the power steering Ford Focus2 you will need:

hose 1-1.5 meters long with a fitting;
jack;
waste oil container;
cloth gloves;
rags;
new oil.

Oil selection

Power steering oil is selected based on the manufacturer's requirements. The fluid used on the second generation Ford Focus is red or green. This simplifies the process of changing the oil, since the shade of the lubricant poured into the hydraulic system reservoir can be used to determine what type of material was previously used.

Mixing two different products is strictly prohibited.

the second generation Focus power steering with one of the following lubricants:

WSS-M2C938-A.
M2C204-A2.

Both products have a relatively high price. They can be replaced with cheaper oils such as Motorcraft Mercon LV XT10QLVC and SWAG/Febi 06161.

For a complete replacement, 1-2 liters of new fluid is enough. In case of topping up, use no more than 800 ml of material.

Preparing for replacement

To complete the changing procedure, you will need the oil itself, green or red. Any lubricant is not suitable, buy either the original or a high-quality analogue, which we wrote about above. A complete replacement will require at least two liters of consumables. In general, the process of changing in Ford Focus cars does not cause any particular difficulties, but with an assistant it will be easier to complete this task.

You will need a pipe equipped with a special fitting at the end. The length of the hose will be at least one meter, and its diameter should be the same as the return line. To determine the return diameter, look at the fluid reservoir under the hood. There are two pipes suitable for the tank: one connects to the pump, the other goes directly to the tank. You will need another pipe, but its length will be shorter, and there will be a plug at the end. Also prepare a container in which you will collect the used oil.

User Alex M published a video showing the process of replacing fluid in the Focus power steering.

When to change power steering oil

If the oil is not able to perform its operating functions, the pressure in the hydraulic booster decreases, and the efficiency of the power steering drops. Further, small particles accumulated in the oil begin to act like an abrasive, destroying the power steering pump, as well as steering rack seals, spool mechanism, etc.

As a rule, to understand when to change the Ford Focus 2 power steering oil, you should focus on the mark of 50-60 thousand kilometers, subject to active use. In terms of timing, replacement is indicated every 3-4 years, since additives gradually stop working and the properties of the oil change.
If the car is operated without heavy loads, the maximum period for changing the power steering oil (power steering fluid Focus 2) is 100 thousand km. or 5-6 years.
If problems arise with the power steering (for example, the power steering on a Ford Focus 2 is noisy, the steering wheel turns with force, rotates jerkily), the power steering was repaired or the power steering of a Ford Focus 2 was replaced, then the power steering fluid must be replaced as part of such repairs.

How to check the oil in the power steering

To understand when to change the oil based on the state of the power steering fluid, just drop a few drops from the reservoir onto a sheet of white paper. Next, you should pay attention to the possible presence of the following signs of aging:

obvious darkening;
cloudiness;
presence of debris and particles;
burning smell;
inability to form a clear oily spot.

Consequences of untimely replacement

If the fluid is replaced at the wrong time, this usually causes accelerated wear of the components of the hydraulic booster system. Because of this, power steering parts will begin to wear out faster and fail. First of all, oil seals and gaskets are subject to wear, the appearance of defects on which leads to lubricant leakage.

What can happen as a result of untimely replacement:

failure of the steering rack;
lubricant leakage from the system;
the appearance of creaking and other noises when turning the steering wheel;
failure of the steering gear;
the appearance of difficulties when turning the steering wheel.

What mistakes should you avoid when operating power steering?

To avoid problems in the operation of the hydraulic booster, you must follow certain rules for using the system:

Correct steering wheel position. The steering wheel should not be held in the extreme left or right position for a long time, but turn off the power unit by turning the wheels. This negatively affects the operation of the pumping device, since the load on it increases. To reduce the load level, the steering wheel must be moved a few centimeters from its extreme position.
Precautionary measures. Limit vehicle operation if the hydraulic booster does not work.
Oil level control. Always check the lubricant level in the expansion tank. If the lubricant volume is too low, the cause must be determined and eliminated, and before that, do not use the machine.
Be careful when parking. Do not overload the hydraulic booster when parking the vehicle. If you feel that the side surfaces of the wheels are resting against the curb, do not continue to turn the steering wheel.
Rules for winter. Before starting a trip in winter, you need to warm up the hydraulic booster by smoothly turning the steering wheel in different directions. The amplitude of rotation should not be large.

Oil selection

Mixing two different products is strictly prohibited.

the second generation Focus power steering with one of the following lubricants:

WSS-M2C938-A.
M2C204-A2.

Both products have a relatively high price. They can be replaced with cheaper oils such as Motorcraft Mercon LV XT10QLVC and SWAG/Febi 06161.

For a complete replacement, 1-2 liters of new fluid is enough. In case of topping up, use no more than 800 ml of material.

Stages of work

To replace the power steering lubricant, do the following:

Drain the used liquid. Stop the engine and open the fluid expansion tank. Unscrew the bolts that secure it and disconnect the pipes connected to it. This will lead to consumables leaking out, so place a container in advance (maybe a cut-off bottle) with a volume of at least two liters.
We connect the clamp. Using long-end pliers, hook the clamp from the return line and move it to the side. The clamp is connected to the expansion tank with consumables.
We provide access. Disconnect the return line pipe, and then install the fitting from a previously prepared hose. Instead of a pipe, a tube with a plug is used.
We fill in new material. Open the reservoir cap and fill it with new lubricant. Consider some points here. While you are adding lubricant, your assistant should start the power unit. When filling, monitor the color of the consumable material, which is pumped out of the reservoir under the influence of pressure in the pump. When fresh lubricant comes out of the tank, differing from the used one in color and smell, the engine must be stopped. When filling, do not allow air to enter the system, this will lead to the formation of plugs that will subsequently have to be removed.
The final stage. Top up to the maximum level, then start the engine and let it run. Make a test drive and check the lubricant level again. Add fluid to the system if necessary. All components are assembled in reverse order.

Photos of replacing consumables are shown below.

1. Drain the lubricant from the reservoir and plug the return line

2. Fill the hydraulic steering system with new oil.

When replacing lubricant, do not allow it to come into contact with the timing belt, otherwise it will cause rapid wear.

What kind of oil to pour into power steering: brands, colors and prices

Power steering fluid lasts a long time, about two to three years, but after that it loses its properties and requires replacement. The only exception may be damage to the pump or hydraulic system of the amplifier. Then we will change it upon repair, and for replacement we will select the fluid that was recommended by the specific plant where our specific Ford Focus 2 was assembled.

You can check the power steering oil using a syringe, pumping it out of the expansion tank.

If we don’t know what liquid is poured into the expansion tank, we take a syringe, pump out a couple of drops and apply them to a white napkin and set the color.

At the same time, it is very important to remember that green oils do not mix with red and yellow ones; they cannot be added.

Red and yellow can be mixed with each other, but it is advisable to determine the composition of the liquid, since among the reds there are both synthetics and mineral water. Now for the brands.

The most expensive green oil for power steering is Ford (catalog number 1781003) . They ask for it in the range of 1000-1200 rubles per liter. Green oil from Febi brand G 002-000 with number 06162 costs around 360 rubles. There is a green analogue from Swag with catalog number 99-90-61-62 . Costs about 400 rubles.

Ford oil 1781003.

Oil Febi G 002-000.

Red Ford Europe fluid with number 1776431 is estimated at 2,200 rubles on average. There are more analogues and their prices are lower. For example, American Ford power steering fluid Mercon LV XT-10-QLVC costs 550 to 800 rubles, depending on the greed of the seller. Marked as transmission. Oil from Liqui Moly Zentralhydraulik-Oil line is a synthetic liquid and it has approvals from Ford WSS-M2C204-A . Price - 1200 rubles per liter. Liqui Moly ATF 1100 has similar characteristics .

Original oil Ford Europe 1776431.

Mercon LV XT-10-QLVC oil.

Liqui Moly ATF 1100 oil.

In principle, we pour into the power steering of the second Focus any liquid of the same color as it was from the factory, but it is necessary to check the presence of Ford approval. Good choice and cloudless roads!

Checking the level and topping up

Learn more about how to check the amount of lubricant in the power steering system. Diagnostics of the consumable level is carried out on a flat surface. The oil reservoir has two marks: MIN and MAX. If the power unit of the machine is turned off, then the volume of working fluid will most likely be maximum. If the lubricant level is closer to the minimum, then lubricant must be added to the system. How much to pour depends on the volume that is missing.

How to detect a leak?

To independently identify the location of the leak, do the following:

Stop the engine and wait until it cools down.
Wipe all components of the steering system with a rag, especially the pipes and connections.
Check the amount of lubricant in the expansion tank. If necessary, add liquid.
Start the power unit and turn the steering wheel left and right as far as possible. As a result of rotation, the lubricant will begin to actively circulate throughout the system. If there is damage, you will be able to see the leak. Depending on the problem, decisions are made to eliminate it.

Causes of leakage and their elimination

Most often, the steering rack leaks in Focus cars. If there is a malfunction in the operation of this unit, this leads to leakage of consumables.

Signs of a problem:

While driving, a knocking sound appears in the area of the rack, which can be clearly heard through the steering wheel.
There was a gap when turning the steering wheel.
Extraneous sounds have appeared in the operation of the hydraulic booster pumping device.
The driver has to exert more effort to rotate the steering wheel.

One of these “symptoms” indicates a lack of fluid and the need to diagnose the system for leaks. Malfunctions associated with the operation of the rack can be eliminated with your own hands. To do this, the rack must be removed from the car and disassembled. All worn components found during diagnostics must be replaced. Then the rack is assembled and then installed in the car.

The reason may be that the power steering pump is not working. The pumping device operates under conditions of high loads, so over time, malfunctions appear in the operation of the unit. Also, the reason may lie in a violation of the tightness of the device or damage to the pipes and lines through which the lubricant circulates. To solve the problem, you need to visually diagnose the hoses and replace them. If there are cracks or other defects, the lines must be replaced. It is advisable to overhaul the pumping device and install new seals in it.

Sometimes it happens that the steering wheel turns freely, but as the engine warms up, you have to put more effort into turning it. This indicates a malfunction of the pumping device and leakage of consumables. The unit must be dismantled and disassembled. The device is visually inspected for damage. All failed parts are replaced with new ones, and before assembly, all elements are wiped with alcohol or solvent. If the seals of the lines are broken, all pipes of the system must be carefully inspected for reliability and strength. If you doubt the quality of the tightness of the connecting components, they must be updated and securely fixed.

Why is low-quality oil dangerous?

Purchasing counterfeit products can harm human health and damage vehicle components. When choosing power steering fluid, you must follow the same rules as when buying motor oil. The lubricant must be produced by a reputable manufacturer and purchased from an official representative. This will minimize the risk of purchasing low-quality oil and the consequences of its use.

Loss of properties at elevated temperatures

Low-quality oil begins to break down at elevated temperatures, clots form in it, which clog the pump and lines. The minimum problem in this case will be an increase in the force on the steering wheel, but the possibility of component failure cannot be ruled out.

During operation, the liquid reaches temperatures up to +85 ºС (cases of stronger heating have been noted). The radiator in the system reduces the temperature, but in hot weather or when driving intensively, heating is inevitable.

Release of hazardous vapors

The additive complex begins to boil away at elevated temperatures. This is especially true for cheap components that are not suitable for such operating conditions. The formed vapors enter from the engine compartment into the air supply channels for the vehicle interior. Theoretically, they can have a negative impact on the driver and passengers.

What's suitable?

What to fill? This question interests every motorist whose car is equipped with a hydraulic booster. Speaking specifically about the second generation Focus, you can buy WSA/M2C195/A. It is worth paying attention to Ravenol-PSF. If it is not possible to purchase one of the proposed options, then when choosing an oil, look at the existing composition. It is important that the parameters exactly meet all factory requirements class=”aligncenter” width=”640″ height=”480″[/img]

You definitely need to figure out how much liquid to add. For Focus 2 you will need about two liters, and therefore there is no point in buying more.