'03 Civic Power Steering Fluid question

[gathermewool]

'03 Civic 110k miles
Unknown power steering fluid and OCI
PS works phenomenally well. Only changed fluid as PM.

I'll apologize ahead of time for not doing my due diligence in surfing, but I'm literally heading out the door to enjoy the Chester Fair.

I did two drain and fills of her power steering fluid reservoir, using Honda's power steering fluid. I've never owned a Honda before, and have been used to Subaru using ATF for power steering fluid, so when I cracked open the bottle of Honda Power Steering Fluid, I was surprised to see that it was clear. I had already emptied the reservoir, and figured that there wouldn't be any compatibility issues regardless of dye, so I went ahead with the dilution process.

I just wanted to see what you guys thought. I don't plan to do another drain and refill until next year, unless you guys suggest otherwise.

TIA! (Thanks in advance for you old-timers! )

 

[JHZR2]

huh? you were using subaru PSF in a honda?

Hondas are a fluke brand that uses a non-standard PSF. Id only use specific "for Honda" PSF.

 

[Dave Hess]

Yikes, I would only use Honda Power Steering Fluid from the dealer as you need very little and its only a 1 time fluid change.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

No, he used the right item. I had to read it a couple times as well.

You only need to do a change once in a lifetime. I never did any on my 2001 Civic and it managed 227k trouble-free miles on the original fluid and PS components.

 

[gathermewool]

Sorry for the confusion. I'm used to my current and previous Subaru vehicles that I have maintained, which use ATF as PSF. The unknown fluid that was in my gf's Civic was red, so I assumed the Honda Power Steering Fluid would be red as well. When I went to do a couple of drain and fills using Honda Power Steering Fluid in my gf's Civic, I was surprised to see that it was clear.

Assuming it came from the factory with clear fluid, I'm wondering whether the 12 oz. of new, clear Honda Power Steering Fluid is ok with whatever the previous owner might have used. At 110k miles, I only did the drain and fill for maintenance, notto cure any issues.

 

[gathermewool]

Can any one confirm whether these cars come from the factory with clear fluid, and whether I should continue to flush more new HONDA FSF in to dilute whatever red fluid is in there?

 

[Quest]

I use genuine Honda Power Steering Fluid for years and yeah, it's clear in colour.

Unless you've resorted to using those aftermarket non-Honda approved (but claimed to be blended specifically for Honda/Audi PS systems) then there may be a remote possibility that it's red.

Q.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Can any one confirm whether these cars come from the factory with clear fluid, and whether I should continue to flush more new HONDA FSF in to dilute whatever red fluid is in there?


All Hondas come from the factory with clear Honda PS fluid. All dealer-sold Honda PS fluid is clear.

Every single Honda PS fluid leak I have seen has involved the use of aftermarket fluids.

It is easy to change the fluid in its entirety, and I strongly advise you to do at least two (preferably three or more) full-changes as soon as possible. Do not simply suck out the fluid in the reservoir and refill it. This is not nearly good enough. You need to get all the incorrect fluid out of there ASAP before it wrecks the seals. Ever priced a new Honda rack?

 

[gathermewool]

Why would it kill the seals?

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Why would it kill the seals?

I don't know, it just does. And Honda warns of that in their manuals.

By the way, I neglected to mention that Honda PS fluid is clear only when fresh from the bottle. It darkens to an amber color after it's been in use for a while.

 

[gathermewool]

Thank you every one for all of your help. I'll keep that stored away in my noggin for later use. Unfortunately, it no longer matters, since a tree just fell over onto and totaled it. Well, we won't know until an adjuster comes out and tells us, but the entire roof is caved in, and it's only a $5-6k car to begin with.

I'll start a new thread with pics once the power comes back on. No one was hurt, btw.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Wow ! The good news is no one was hurt ! The cost is deductible for Comprehensive. Make sure that they pay for the compatible car plus tax in your area, registration and anything you just did for the car such as new tires, battery ...

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Thank you every one for all of your help. I'll keep that stored away in my noggin for later use. Unfortunately, it no longer matters, since a tree just fell over onto and totaled it.

Glad nobody was hurt!

We had a similar incident near us a few years ago during a giant windstorm. An 80-year-old maple (about 2.5' across the trunk) fell over and crushed the car next to it. The vehicle was squashed right down to the seat cushions. The tree was pretty black and hollow in its interior, but this was not at all obvious from the outside.

 

[gathermewool]

Thanks for the thoughts and advice. I didn't even think to mention the recent work done to the adjuster. I'll be posting up pics of the damage in the photo section some time soon.