Dear Motor Medics,
I have a 2002 4×4 GMC Yukon that I have been driving for 200,000 miles. I have changed all of the fluids on this vehicle at the severe recommended service times as indicated by the manufacturer in hopes of preserving the life of the truck. From the beginning, I have been using fully synthetic engine oil starting with the first fluid change and as the other fluids came due I replaced them with the fully synthetic fluid. After all of the care I took to make sure all of the fluids never exceeded their times I overlooked one; the power steering fluid. Now with 200,000 miles it did have a failure of the pump. I will be installing a new pump and I want to use fully synthetic fluid in it. Can I just use fully synthetic transmission fluid? I can’t seem to find a parts store with fully synthetic power steering fluid on the shelf.
Mark in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Dear Mark,
No, don’t ever use fluids of a type not recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. There are fully synthetic fluids out there which are compatible with a GM system that should do the trick. If you use a fluid in a system for which it was not designed you can have many unfavorable results from premature parts wear or undesired operation to major safety issues. Always stick with the fluid which was designed for the system you’re working on.
Take care, the Motor Medics

Dear Motor Medics,
I am having an issue with my current car which seems to have plagued me on a couple other vehicles as well over the years. It is a 2006 Ford Explorer 2wd and I can’t seem to get the front end lined up so that it will drive straight down the road. I have had three different shops check the front end, one aligned it several times and it still pulls to the left. It does this under acceleration and deceleration as well as cruise and does so at any speed over 25mph. They tell me nothing in the front end is worn but are guessing it could be a left shock. My tires are about two years old and have more than half of their tread wear left. The only issue other than the pull is a slight wobble in the steering wheel at speeds under 20 mph. Do you have any ideas?
Darwin in Madison Wisconsin

Dear Darwin,
Have they checked the tires for a problem by rotating them side to side for testing purposes? Ask them if they did this. Sometimes tires can fail and cause a severe pull to one side and swapping sides will change the pull. If so it’s time for new tires. They should also look at the brakes to make sure they are not dragging causing a pull. If it is brakes they would likely be very hot on one side or the other.
Take care, the Motor Medics