Power Steering Fluid Replacement - Dare I buy something that's not Honda brand?

buzz_42 · Feb 20, 2013

Hey everyone,

I know there are probably a million other threads devoted to this question but I have had a tough time narrowing the pages down to the answer I need.

In my owners manual it says "Always use Honda Power Steering Fluid. you may use another power steering fluid as an emergency replacement, but have the power steering system flushed and refilled with Honda PSF as soon as possible".

Do any of you run other brands of fluid? Are there special chemicals engineered for Honda power steering systems? Is this a ploy to buy Honda brand fluid?

Thanks for your help!

Rickman · Feb 20, 2013

Ok, I dare you!

buzz_42 · Feb 20, 2013

Have you done it?

IanRTL · Feb 20, 2013

The PS system was designed to be used with Honda's PS fluid. Technically, you can use something else, but I'd much rather use the stuff that was designed for the system. Honda's PS fluid is very inexpensive for a vehicle fluid. I just bought two bottles a few weeks ago and they were less than $5 each. You'll need 3-4 bottles to do a full system flush by doing Honda's method. I used all of the three bottles I had when I did mine. I'd suggest getting a fourth just to be safe. If you have any sort of higher mileage on your truck, I'd suggest replacing the PS reservoir, too. It's about $17 from the dealership. It has a built-in filter that can get gummed up over time. Mine was still pretty clean, but I replaced it anyways for peace of mind. For less than $40, you can do a full flush with Honda genuine fluid that will last a very long time. After I did my flush, I'm now going to suck out the reservoir and refill it every other oil change. It takes about 3/4 of a bottle to do this.

buzz_42 · Feb 20, 2013

Thanks for all your help!
I just did the flush (with Honda fluid) and it quieted right up!

Oddjob · Feb 20, 2013

Glad you picked Honda fluids. The peace of mine you get as well as Honda backing you if you do have trouble.

jeb · Feb 20, 2013

buzz_42 said:
Thanks for all your help!
I just did the flush (with Honda fluid) and it quieted right up!

Yay!!

I had a noisy PS pump.... all the - 30 and -40 weather must have ruined the fluid. Got it changed with Honda stuff, same deal. Cant even hear it now.

IanRTL · Feb 21, 2013

Same thing here. Last winter when it turned cold I had a nasty whining/grinding noise coming from the pump. The fluid was really nasty. I did the flush and it's been whisper quiet ever since. This truck loves fresh fluids.

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Jerboy · Apr 5, 2013

Where do I find procedure on flushing power steering fluid?

chiph · Apr 6, 2013

You don't need to unless the pump or rack is making noise.

If you want to do it for your own peace of mind - get a turkey baster and suck the fluid out of the reservoir and top-up with genuine Honda power steering fluid. It won't get it all out, but if you do it again a couple of times (with 100 miles driven in between) you'll get "enough" out.

Chip H.

IanRTL · Apr 6, 2013

It's fairly easy, but it's best to have a friend or family member there with you to turn the wheel lock to lock as recommended. Because you have a 2011, you really shouldn't need to do a full purge of the fluid. As was stated, simply sucking out the reservoir with a turkey baster and refilling to the top line once a year would be plenty good enough. If you still feel as though you'd like to do the full flush, look at post #13 here:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=574000

I recommend raising the front of the truck up enough to take some weight off the front wheels. Turning the wheels with the truck being stationary puts stress on the steering components. Lifting it a bit alleviates some of that stress. Next, once you have drained the pump of all of its fluid, reconnected everything and filled the reservoir with fresh fluid, be ready to pour more in the second the truck is started. The pump will suck in the 3/4 bottle that fits in the reservoir in less than a second. Have a second full bottle open and ready to pour. It may take several turns lock to lock to get out any air bubbles, but make sure to check the fluid over the following few days to ensure proper level.

Jerboy · Apr 6, 2013

Sounds like a plan. Thanks

Power Steering Fluid Replacement - Dare I buy something that's not Honda brand?

buzz_42

Rickman

buzz_42

IanRTL

buzz_42

Oddjob

jeb

IanRTL

Jerboy

chiph

IanRTL

Jerboy

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