Flushing power steering fluid

I just had the oil changed in my 2003 Civic at the dealership and they said that the power steering fluid is thick and needs to be flushed. I cannot find anything about flushing this fluid in any of my maintenance books - only about adding to it. I'm thinking they may be trying to sell me services I don't need. I have kept up with the scheduled maintenance since buying this car new. Does anyone know about this?

Flushed already on an 03? How many miles do you have? You shouldn't need to do that for a long time. Your manual gives directions on how to do so I thought :dunno: Basically its the same on all gens. Just remove the fluid and add new fluid.


1. Raise the reservoir, then disconnect the returnn hose.
2. Connect a hose of suitable diameter to the disconnected
return hose, and put the hose end in a suitable
container.
CAUTION: Take care not to spill tho fluid on the
body and parts. Wipe off any spilled fluid at once
3. Start the engine, let it run at idle, and turn the steering
wheel from lock-to-lock several times When
fluid stops running out of the hose, shut off the
engine, Discard the fluid.
4. Reinstall the return hose on the reservoir
5. Fill the reservoir to the upper level line.
6. Start the engine and run it at fast idle, then turn the
steering wheel from lock-to-lock several times to bleed air
from the system.
7. Recheck the fluid level and add some if necessary.
CAUTION: Do not fill the reservoir beyond the
upper level line.

*You might not want to do step 4 lock to lock I have read.

Also another method I have found that is acceptable

Remove the return hose and run it to a container and then plug off the reservoir and remove the old fluid from the reservoir and add with new and then start the car and turn the wheel to both sides while adding new fluid to the system and stopping when new fluid comes out the return hose, then hook it back up.

It has less than 39K miles. I was looking for information on when it needs to be done. Thanks for the tips. I may try doing this myself.

It has less than 39K miles. I was looking for information on when it needs to be done. Thanks for the tips. I may try doing this myself.

39k is early do you feel it needs to be changed? Have you taken a look at the fluid?

I haven't looked at the fluid yet. I'm not really sure what it should look like and what it looks like if it needs to be flushed.

I haven't looked at the fluid yet. I'm not really sure what it should look like and what it looks like if it needs to be flushed.

fluid should be clear in a sense that there are no foreign materials floating around. I think the stock fluid color is light brownish color.

Anyways, I smell a rip off, because, 1) with 39000 miles it should not go bad. 2) even if it really did, that means there is something wrong with the power steering system. They should address the issue prior to flushing the system.

My own take is that I change the power steering fluid every other year or so, or no later than I see a little discoloration. It is easy, cheap, and takes very little time. Make it a christmas present to yourself every other year.

Figure fluids to a car are like blood to a body.

I've got 300,000 miles on my car, and I just now had to replace my power steering pump. I'd think that is a mighty long time for a PS pump, and I'd attribute it to changing the fluid from time to time.

My own steps are similar to BrodyP (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=318144), but I'd definitely not start the engine and let the fluid run out completely. Instead, disconnect the distributor wire/coil wire and just crank the engine over a few times. That will expel the fluid.

Specifically, running it dry is likely to damage the seals.

--Mark

http://www.marksatterfield.com

Flushing power steering fluid is a good idea to be done at least once every 36 months or 36,000 miles (depending on your driving habits...ex lots of highway longer change interval, lots of turning and idle stop and go, more often).

Reason for this...unlike many other fluids in your vehicle, such as engine oil and automatic transmission fluid which have filters to help keep them clean, the power steering system does not have any filters (although some late models now have magnets to remove metallic contaminants). So over time, metal (from steering gear boxes and rack and pinions wear points) starts to build up in the system, plus moisture can start to contaminate the power steering fluid over time. In addition, the fluids ability to protect the system also start to break down over time with the normal heating and cooling of the fluid during normal everyday driving. These can eventually build up to a point where the fluid can become mildly corrosive causing fluid leaks at pressure seals and rubber hoses as the rubber in the seals breaks down.

But you don’t need to pay a dealer to do this work for you (which can cost upwards to $200.00 for a flush. Hey they have to pay for those fancy machine/tool somehow).

The first way (which I feel is the easiest) is to use a turkey baster, the one with the suction bulb on one end (don't use your wife’s or Girlfriend’s…go to any dollar store and get your own…unless you want your turkey to taste funny), to siphon out as much fluid from the reservoir as possible, then simply add new fluid. Be sure to use a Honda approved power steering fluid (which is different than regular power steering fluid), most retail auto parts stores carry it in stock for around $5.00 for a 16oz bottle. Depending on how dirty the fluid is, you may have to repeat this a few times until the fluid is mostly clear.

The other way is similar to what BrodyP posted, but as Mark said, don’t actually start the engine…disable either the fuel system by removing the fuel pump fuse (relay) or fuel injection fuse (relay), or remove the coil wire (if you have one). A warning, don’t crank the engine for anything longer than 5 seconds. Any longer can over heat the starter and damage it (not to mention draining your battery as well). Let the starter cool down between starts at least a few minutes as well, just as a precaution.

Hope this helps.