Got a new 05 FX4 Level II back in August and had a few questions.

What is the recommended interval to flush the power steering fluid?

Also, what is the finish on the alcoa wheels? Just trying to figure out how to care for them.

Thanks

 

I'd say about 45,000 would be good for the power steering fluid.
The Alcoa are an aluminum alloy with a clear coat finish.

 

Your owners manual should have the needed maintenance schedule call out's.

I change my PS fluid every time I do a complete auto tranny fluid change & 20K mile intervals, as I live in the mountains, it's hot in summer & I tow a lot, so the PS fluid gets worked pretty hard too.

If your manual doesn't give a change schedule, just don't let it go to the point that it's lost it's red color, like I did on my 94 Taurus, when I changed it at about 60K, that was too long in my case, as it had turned sort of a dirty red/grey color.

My 99 Ranger doesn't have a call out for PS fluid change, but it got changed at 20K with the tranny fluid & was still looking ok.

On the wheel cleaning, my manual says to use the same detergent you use to wash the body with.

To cean my aluminum wheels, I use a soft bristled paint brush, distilled water from my home air conditioner condensate, in Blue Coral detergent that I've used to wash the body with, & rinse both with the condensate in a garden sprayer, as this combnation doesn't leave spots.

The home AC condensate would usually go down the drain, so I route it into a 30 gallon plastic trash can & use it around the house for other things, like topping off the battery, in the wife's steam iron, on the house & garden plants, ect, ect.

Takes about 6 gallons to wash & rinse the Ranger & you don't have to towell it dry if you don't want to, because there isn't any minerals in the water to spot things up!!!!

Just don't use a wheel cleaner wth acid in it, as it can get after the anodized finish on aluminum wheels!!!!

Just some thoughts for consideration.

 

I flush my power steering fluid when i do my 25k service, which includes trans fluid, rear end, coolant, fuel filter etc.

FYI, on your wheels, if you plan on going through the sand, expect that clear coat to burn right off. My buddy did that and his rims are now bare and have to be polished.