A few notes about the Ford Ka (1996-2009):
Engine Oil
For this particular car, Ford list only one or two specifications for engine oil which should be covered by Comma Xtech 5W30. However, always make sure you get the right product for the vehicle you are servicing.
With service intervals of up to 12,500 miles, supplying the customer with a top up pack and reminding them that they should be checking the engine oil regularly might also be prudent here. A quick check before you change might be a good way of reinforcing the importance of top up to the customer. Combined with longer service intervals, a smaller sump size makes checking your oil more critical than ever before.
Brake Fluid
Ford use one or two specifications for brake fluid for the Ka and again you need to identify which product is suitable for the vehicle you are servicing.
Most people don’t think of brake fluid as a service item however, as with many manufacturers, Ford specify a change interval of 24 months for the Ka. Brake fluid degrades over time by absorbing water from the atmosphere which lowers its boiling point. Boiling point is a critical factor in brake fluid performance because of the amount of heat generated during braking. If the boiling point of the fluid is too low then continuous or hard braking may cause the brake fluid to vaporise which in turn can result in a loss of hydraulic pressure within the system. The message here is that brake fluid is a safety critical item so check and change when specified – don’t assume that it will just be OK.
Power Steering Fluid
Ford use one or two specifications for power steering fluid for the Ka and again you need to identify which product is suitable for the vehicle you are servicing.
Coolant
Comma Xstream G30 is the recommended product for the Ka, as it is for all recent Ford vehicles.
Transmission
For this particular model, Ford used a range of manual transmissions but there are only one or two specifications for this. As well as different fluid requirements, change intervals and capacities may vary depending on the year of the vehicle so we would advise you to consult the handbook to ensure that you get the right product for the vehicle you are servicing.
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