So I am a bit confused over here.

I have a 08 TL 5spd auto with 59K on it.

I went to the dealer here in North Carolina to have the oil changed and tires balanced and was told that I should think about getting some services done in the future.

Trans flush $170
Brake system flush $140
Power steering flush $118

Since I will be in Philly next week, I decided to call two dealers up there to get a price and granted I understand that prices will change at different locations but at one Philly dealership, I was told (over the phone by the service rep) that they do not do the power steering flush on acuras and have never done that in the 15 years he has been there unless they are changing the whole rack or the pump. He told me to look in my manual and it does not show to do PS flush. (Which i have not done yet)

I called a few other dealerships in random areas and 2/6 do not do power steering flushes due to the same reasons as listed before.


My overall question is....How should I proceed? Would you get the power steering flushed? Why or why not?


Thanks for any help!

 

the dealer I use in Pa told me that the only time the PS fluid needs to be changed is it is contaminated. When they did the PS recall they topped off the fluid. I have not need the fluid changed. Brake fluid should be changed every 3 years no matter the mileage. The dealer I use in NC tries to sell unneeded service.

 

That's the answer-- use the manual's maintenance section, which explains the services and service codes.

Brake fluid should be completely changed every three years, because it absorbs moisture and loses effectiveness as time passes.

Normally, the change of 5AT fluid comes up as a "3" maintenance minder code. The manual explains that a "flush" of the 5AT fluid is changing by three drain-and-fills-- it warns against "power flushing."
Some members do drain-and-fills at 30K miles in an excess of caution, but it is not in the manual.

BTW, I'd say the Philly dealership service rep who doesn't do PS fluid flushes knows his stuff and isn't trying to upsell you on unnecessary services.

 

thanks guys.

 

if PS fluid is dirty...then change. otherwise...it'll be fine.

mine was dirty...had mine changed.

 

I agree with this or do this every 30k like I usually do on my own vehicle. It is far easier to replace ps fluid than replace seals, rack and or pump.

The end of the power steering rack has seals and is covered by a boot called a dust boot. The dust boot is to prevent dust from entering the power steering system which in turn can damage the seals and allow fluid to bypass the seals. Once the fluid has passed these seals, it can cause poor performance or no performance of the power steering which then may lead to damaged power steering pump and then maybe to manual steering. We remember those back in the day right?

The cost to replace the seals isn't cheap and its far more expensive to replace the rack.

Honda recommends it never to be changed however by the time it has never been changed and have had damaged the seals, the vehicle is most likely not under warranty. Unless you plan to sell the car before and/or the next buyer doesn't even look under the car.

The next best thing is electronic power steering but that uses a motor which can burn out too.

 

I have all the service done by acura dealers-the one in PA checked the ps fluid and told me it still was clean and did not need to be changed. That was at almost 130K miles. My car now has almost 136K miles. When I took it to the NC dealer before they even looked at my car they were recommended the ps flush based on mileage.

 

Of course they'll recommend the various flushes. They're money-makers for the dealer. We had a repair shop in NY for about 50 years. Power flushes were never done. The extra pressure of the flushes will loosen any dirt which might be there and may blow through the seals. Leave your power steering alone. If you want to do a transmission oil replacement, do it in three oil changes through the pan over a month or two. I know some mechanics recommend brake fluid changes every three year; I don't. My 08 TL, which I bought this past September was a certified used car and the fluids were not changed. Based on Acura's certification program, if they needed to be changed they would have been. P.S. I traded in my 05 Toyota Solara with 145k miles on it. The transmission fluid was drained and changed at 100k, the PS fluid was replaced at 40k when the steering rack was replaced under warranty, and the brake fluid was never changed. It's your money; use it wisely. Hy