vtec 6300

Anybody know when we should change the power steering fluid? I was looking through the manual and it doesn't say when it should be changed. It only shows how to top off the power steering fluid when the level is low. My local Acura dealer wants $130 for the power steering flush. But before I actually spend $130, I would like to know how often this fluid should be changed. My 2000 3.2TL currently is 4 years old and just reached 30,000 miles.

Black-n-Tan

well i can tell you that my power steering resevoir was leaking and it cost me $50 at my mechanic for a new resevoir and flush

ResidualFreedom

do you drive your car??? or just look at it? 4 years and 30,000miles that's fricken amazing. don't know about flushing it out but 130 sounds way too high for a flush, considering "Black-n-Tan" got a new resivoir and a flush for 50bucks.

sc354

Yo pat...that sounds about right when comparing my dad. On his 98TL he drove too and from the GO train, which is about 7km each way. After 5.5 years he had 62 000km on it. This guys has 48, so by the looks of it, he only drives like 20-30km/day...or for US people 12-18 miles/day.

Later guys.

Seotaji

you can flush it yourself, just disconnect the return hose and keep adding fluid while turning the wheel back and forth.

pretty easy with a friend.

suj220

does anyone have a picture of the return hose?

fsttyms1

on the passenger side front of car, open the hood look for the PS reservoir disconect the line (i believe its the upper)

hooked2TL

I just got mine changed today.....cost less than $65 Canadian for power steering fluid changed at Acura dealer.

COCAINE.TL

what nama brand of power steerign fluid should i use????

COCAINE.TL

what name brand of power steering fluid should i use????

TLMugen

Use the Honda fluid.

COCAINE.TL

where can i purshace this so call honda fluid at?

ou sig

probably at a "so called Honda dealership"

patrick

Sam, where did you get this done? And was this a power steering fluid change or a flush? There is a difference! PM me please! Thx

xasnxkiddox

Can anyone confirm this? BTW, it should be the same for a 2000 TL-P right? Thanks.

TLMugen

That is correct. If you look inside the reservoir with the cap off while the car is idling, you'll see the p/s fluid gushing in from the upper line.

xasnxkiddox

Anyone know the length of the "inner and outer diameter" of the return hose? I have to get a clear hose at home depot to connect to the return hose before I can flush out the power steering fluid. Thanks!

xasnxkiddox

I took some pictures of the power steering reservoir today because I noticed there were "3" hoses (two facing the front of the car and one facing the firewall). So which one is the return hose? Pictures are below. Thanks.

This is a lower hose going towards the firewall.


These are the two hoses facing horizontally towards the front of the car.

TeknoKing

i have 80K on my 00TL, do I absolutely have too change the fliud? Also, I noticed something these passed few days, when I turn my steering wheel completely towards the left or right to the max(i dont remember which), and have the car in motion at very slow speed, it makes the dull metal to metal sound, i dont know how to describe it, anyone knows what that is all about?

xasnxkiddox

Can anyone please tell me which one is the return hose? There are three hoses and pics are above. BTW, I checked the power steering fluid and it seems to be pretty clear (lime color). Is it necessary to change it and is the original color of the fluid supposed to be lime? I'll probably end up flushing it out just for peace of mind.

How much p/s fluid is needed to flush and fill the reservoir? The owner's manual does not state it but I only bought two small bottles (I think they may be pints). Another thing I noticed was that the p/s fluid was flowing even without the steering wheel being turned while the car was on. Does this mean I can flush the fluid out without turning the wheel or will it be better if I do? Thanks.

bkzjimmy

i just bought a new resevoir cause i put a hole in mine (long story!)and it cost me bout 38 bucks and i changed it myself

1fasttl

I've never heard of anybody ever flushing put the power steering fluid. And with previous dealer ship experience i still have never heard of that. It's always just top off and go.

MADCAT

I do the same thing. Take GO Train to work, only use car like 10- 20 KM per day...I only have 74 K's on my car aftre 5 years of ownership. The car is still new.

sc354

You shouldn't have to confirm it if kris said so!!!

He's probably one of the most knowledgeable guys on this forum, and when it comes to TL's...he knows them up and down!!

Just for future reference, if kris posts something technical...he's usually right.

patrick

In my last oil change/maintenance service (last week), I did a power steering flush. It was definitely not drain and fill, as I did ask my service advisor about that. He said a flush is better than the drain and fill. So it all depends on the dealership if they provide that service or not.

xasnxkiddox

Okay sorry I didn't know that. The reason I asked someone to confirm it was because fsttyms1 said he "believed" its the upper. Just wanted to double check with someone who was definitely sure. Okay so it's the upper hose, but why is there an additional hose attached to the power steering reservoir. Still no one has been able to answer that question or probably missed the question from my previous post . There's one return (the most upper hose), then there's another hose directly below that (what's this hose for?), and another hose on the other side on the bottom of the reservoir (i'm guessing goes to the power steering rack). Thanks much appreciated.

xasnxkiddox

Doesn't the fluid ever get dirty or lose it's lubricating properties/abilities? Mine seem dark when looking through the reservoir but when I dip it with a piece of tissue, the fluid is clear/transparent. Ah well, at least I'll know how to flush the power steering fluid .

TeknoKing

thats what I want to know

sc354, good ass kissing lol

I hope everyone had a great new year.

fsttyms1

i said i believed it was because i hadnt gone out to look at mine. i was going from the top of my head. its the upper one.

you really dont need to do it, but if you want you can

xasnxkiddox

Ok gotcha fsttyms1. You've been a great help and I learned A LOT from you. Thanks again.

TeknoKing

a little hijacking of the thread.

Kris, I remember in another thread that you always use high-beams, and you were looking for something brighter. I had installed SOLARIS 9005 65W, they are amazing. Much brighter than stock, with a little of yellow hue. But I gained at least 30 feet of visible road. Im talking about the roads where the only illumination comes from the moon. You should check it out.

peace

fsttyms1

thanks for the info! i have a set of silverstars in there right now, they helped over stock a little. i want to try to put a HID kit in the higbeam.

TeknoKing

yeah, HID in highbeam would be great, but i dont think the bulbs will last very long.

http://www.autosupermart.com/cgi-bin...ml?id=RASeMptC

fsttyms1

i think they will. my low beams have 165,500 miles on them. the highs will only be on for a fraction of the time

TeknoKing

but wouldnt you be flickering them as well? that fast on and off will definitely put a strain on the bulbs.

PDX3.2TL

toootally a ! LOL. Informational never the less...!

moahdriven

how many miles a day u guys go? i go between 20-70 miles/day

fsttyms1

i dont think that will really affect tehm much. usually when i have them on they are on for quite awhile. my lowbeams have done alot of instant on and off and they are still kicking.

moahdriven, if you are talking to me it depends on where im working. but i usually average 1k a week. the last 2 years have been considerably less though

TeknoKing

thats hot, HID hi beam, i can only imagine the incoming traffic fingers..hehe.

fsttyms1

ill probably do it soon, im going to replace my lowbeams soon too. i think they are wearing out. they are starting to become more yellow with less output.

yea any poor oncomer that i forget teh highs are on may not like me too much