The power steering fluid reservoir for a 2010 Ford F-150, if the truck uses hydraulic power steering, is located in the engine bay on the driver’s side near the firewall, in a small plastic bottle with a cap labeled Power Steering Fluid. If your F-150 has electric power steering (EPAS), there is no hydraulic reservoir to check.
Understanding the system in your F-150
Ford’s 2010 F-150 lineup largely uses hydraulic power steering, but some later configurations and trims may feature electric power steering. The presence or absence of a fluid reservoir is the quickest way to tell which system your truck uses. If you see a dedicated reservoir with hoses running to a steering pump, you have hydraulic power steering. If there’s no reservoir and you only hear electric assist from a motor near the steering column or rack, you have EPAS and no fluid to check.
Locating the hydraulic power steering reservoir
To locate the reservoir on models with hydraulic power steering, follow these steps.
- With the hood open and the engine cool, look for a small plastic bottle with a screw-on or clip-on cap labeled Power Steering Fluid or Motorcraft PS Fluid. It is typically easy to spot in the engine bay.
- Most 2010 F-150s place this reservoir on the driver’s side of the engine bay, toward the rear near the firewall, though exact placement can vary slightly by engine (4.6L, 5.4L, etc.).
- Follow the hoses from the reservoir to confirm it feeds the power steering pump and the steering gear; if you don’t see the associated hoses, you may be dealing with EPAS.
- Check the cap and any dipstick markings to verify the correct fluid type and the current level when the engine is cool and the truck is on a level surface.
If you can’t find the reservoir, consult the owner's manual or a Ford dealer for the exact location for your specific engine and trim, as there can be small variations in placement.
What to do if you need to add or check fluid
Only add the correct Ford-approved power steering fluid to the reservoir. Do not mix fluids unless the manual explicitly allows it. After adding fluid, run the engine and turn the steering from lock to lock a few times to bleed air from the system, then recheck the level when the engine is off and cool.
Summary
For a 2010 Ford F-150 with hydraulic power steering, locate the reservoir in the engine bay on the driver’s side near the firewall and refill with Ford-approved power steering fluid as needed. If your truck uses EPAS, there will be no hydraulic reservoir to locate or fill. Always verify the system type if you’re unsure, and consult the owner’s manual for exact guidance related to your engine and trim.