Does power steering fluid need to be replaced?? and if so how often?

 

I was wondering the same thing. It's not in the maintainence menu, at any mileage. It's not in the severe schedule either. But technically, it's a fluid and it should degrade over time. Maybe 10 years. Can anyone give suggestions?

 

Change it when you feel like changing it.

 

so it's not really needed?

 

^^ Honda doesn't think so otherwise they would have included it in the recommended services list.

 

got mine replaced at 64k km check up. costs about $100 CDN

 

Sad to say, you don't really need to say "CDN" anymore -- they're about the same. Sorry, off topic...

 

dealer said my PS fluid was starting to crystalize when I went in for my last oil change. Wanted to charge me $99 to replace the fluid I told him hell no!

Is this something anyone has ever changed......as I have never changed it before on any of my cars

 

Go ahead and get it changed. I would recommend doing it yourself.

Get a turkey baster and suck out as much of the old fluid. Make sure you buy Honda PS fluid and fill it back up. Leave the cap open and turn the engine on and turn the steering wheel from left to right (all the way) a couple of times. That should get rid of any air bubbles in the system. Do the same thing again if you want to be extra clean.

 

It's similar to brake fluid and like brake fluid is hygroscopic meaning it will absorb and mix with water. Unlike brake fluid, power steering fluid does not get put through extremely high pressure or temperature so the dissolved water doesn't cause much change in the operating characteristics of the fluid. Still it does get gunked up and turns a darker, much less translucent color over time. Probably once every 5 years is fine. As mentioned, make sure you use Honda PS fluid as it is formulated differently from generic PS fluid. Using 'regular' fluid will eat some of the seals in the rack and pump (I learned this expensive lesson some years back).

Also be real careful about getting it on your paint as it will strip it down to there bare metal if left to sit for not very long at all.

 

I changed my fluid on 05 tsx and I highly recommend it.

It was so dirty that I changed it three times to get extra clean.

After changing, I feel that my steering got smoother but I doubt there's much difference.

But you know you did it right and you FEEL better.

 

My Dealer wants 140/- for flushing the power steering fluid !!!

I decided i will do it my self..And where can get a good turkey baster ??

 

Any grocery store sells it. This is a nice easy way to do it, but you don't get anywhere near all of it out at one time this way. Suck out what you can, refill, drive for a while, do it again. At least twice, 3 times is better. Buy I think 4 cans of PS fluid (use Honda fluid only) and that should do it (for 3 refills).

 

I just siphoned my power steering fluid and like an idiot i spilled some on what i think is the a/c controller, the thing right above the steering fluid fluid container. It has like many little 1/4 inch tubes coming out of it almost like a spider kind of. And even worse i got 3 little drops on the drive belt. Am i screwed? I wiped everything off with a rag the best i could.

 

You should be ok. Its corrosive to paint but if you wiped (good) and then rinsed (even better) you should be fine.