Honda Power Steering Fluid vs. "universal" Power Steering Fluid?

[nthach]

I'm doing part 2 of the "major" service on my friend's 2007 Civic coupe - I've done the oil, ATF and coolant last week and this weekend I'm doing the front brakes, cabin filter, brake fluid flush and the PSF. Honda says to use their fluid but they also say commercially-available power steering fluid may be used, but it may cause stiffer steering and should be replaced with Honda Power Steering Fluid.

I know when I worked at the local Honda dealer, we used MOC PSF for service and Honda Power Steering Fluid for warranty work. Could SuperTech PSF or Valvoline MaxLife work OK for this application or should I get a few bottles of the Honda stuff?

 

[The Critic]

Aftermarket PSF that works for Honda will usually say so specifically on the label. This is due to the additional anti-wear additives.

 

[Silver_civic]

I know from working on some Hondas at my work, we use the genuine honda fluid; no complaints at all. I personally when I changed my PS fluid used HONDA PS fluid, and no problems to report.

 

[nfs480]

Stick with the Honda fluid. On my '89 back when it belonged to my dad, he added non-Honda Power Steering Fluid to the reservoir and within a weak there were leaks from multiple locations throughout the system.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Honda Power Steering Fluid is needed, at the very least you can buy aftermarket PSF that post clearly on the label that the fluid is for Honda.

 

[nthach]

Ok, off to see my connections at Honda then.

 

[Spazdog]

You can use any number of Power steering fluids intended for Hondas, not necessarily genuine Honda Power Steering fluid. But do make certain that it is intended for Hondas

 

[ledslinger]

I used Gold Eagle that said for Honda but looked on their websight and it said it was OK for a topoff, but not for a complete fill. I went back to Honda fluid, which I should have stayed with the whole time.

 

[K20FA5]

I have been doing the turkey baster changes on my wife's Pilot at ever OCI using the Preston "for Honda and Acura vehicles" PSF from Walmart. No problems at all and it's cheaper than the OEM stuff.

 

[meep]

My local AAP carries one 3rd-party Honda Power Steering Fluid. It is only for Hondas and says something like "PS Fluid for Honda" on the bottle. It works fine. The *only* other fluid I've trusted and used in a honda/acura PS is amsoil. zero problems and feels the same.

I would *not* pour a universal or ATF. Honda PS has been discussed in detail for years, and the chemical evidence from years back is that is IS different than standard PSF.

M

 

[nthach]

Kragen carries MasterPro "universal" fluid which is OK for use in Hondas and it also meets GM Saginaw standards as well. The local Honda dealer I worked at uses MOC's power steering service solution in non-warranty work and it seems to work OK - or so I heard.

 

[mechtech2]

HOndas used to be very picky about what PS fluid was in them.
Actual damage could occur.

Now, things seem to be more lax.
But I'd use the Honda fluid in a Honda, still.

 

[Jim 5]

Just had our 09 Odyssey power steering pump replaced under warranty @ 26k miles. I'd sure like to upgrade the fluid if I knew of a safe upgrade.

This is a common failure on Odysseys.

 

[charbaby]

I'm not going to read everyone's replys here, I'm just going to say...Use Honda P/S fluid! I have used non Honda P/S fluid in a Honda and I did not like it. When I refilled the system with Honda P/S fluid, everything was normal again.