Power Steering Maintenance

[SteveG]

I did a search on "Power Steering reservoir fluid changing"� and derivations thereof and did not find any commentary. Does anyone understand why this Dextron III power steering fluid is being changed out at the M3 frequency of 24,000 miles or 24 months? Automotive frequencies tend to be at 30,000 city and 60,000 highway or 45,000 on average. The Motor Home seems like it should have a much greater frequency then 24K.

Has anyone switched to a synthetic power steering fluid such as GM or Red Line Synthetic Oil sells? Even possible?

Any tips for doing this oil change other then manual paragraph 46-03?

Thanks,

[SteveG]

I did a search on "Power Steering reservoir fluid changing"� and derivations thereof and did not find any commentary. Does anyone understand why this Dextron III power steering fluid is being changed out at the M3 frequency of 24,000 miles or 24 months? Automotive frequencies tend to be at 30,000 city and 60,000 highway or 45,000 on average. The Motor Home seems like it should have a much greater frequency then 24K.

Has anyone switched to a synthetic power steering fluid such as GM or Red Line Synthetic Oil sells? Even possible?

Any tips for doing this oil change other then manual paragraph 46-03?

Thanks,

[vicsryd]

Since this is a Freightliner question versus Winnebago it would probably get a better response if posted to the Freightliner Forum and/or the FCOC Yahoo Group.

Per this FCOC post the general theory behind frequent fluid changes in RV applications is to remove condensation from the systems because the manufacturers perception of infrequent use of the RV's.

[SteveG]

Vicsryd, thanks for the reply. I should have thought of the FCOC forum. The thread you provided not only answered the steering fluid change schedule but also the rear axle (differential) schedule which appears to provide no change frequency for the Alliance axle.

With that said I went to the FCOC and downloaded version April 2007 of the Knowing Your Chassis and the rear axle frequency for the Alliance axle has not been changed as it still references only the Meritor axle. The Meritor frequency recommendation is 12 months. So, as Rudy suggested, I'll go with that and call FL to confirm.

For April 2007 (the latest version), the Power steering frequency is still the same at 1 yr or 12,000 miles.

Thanks,