I was just wondering why Honda power steering units need the Honda fluid instead of atf? Did a search and there weren't previous threads. I was thinking of doing the turkey baster change on my Civic unless I figure out how to disconnect the lines and do it that way. How many pints/quarts should I buy?
honda power steering fluid
- Thread starter asiancivicmaniac
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Just like Audi PS system, Honda requires their own house-blend PSF or otherwise, it would cause leaks. I did the turkey baster change on my dad's 7th gen civic repeatedly with 1 qt worth of fresh fluid and it's all good.
Q.
Q.
That's what I do, too. I always just use a turkey baster and refill it every time. It takes about 6-8 ounces per siphon. So I can usually get two Siphon/Refills out of one little 12oz. bottle. I try to do it once every other oil change to keep the fluid freshened up.
Thanks for the responses. I will buy four bottles of the p/s fluid when I go to the dealer to buy the coolant to do the drain and fill for the radiator. Might see how much they sell the pvc valve for while I'm there.
Now I just have to look over a few more brake bleeding instructions to make sure I don't screw up (too badly) and I'm all set.
Now I just have to look over a few more brake bleeding instructions to make sure I don't screw up (too badly) and I'm all set.
Many cars can use alternative PS fluids, and you can save $ and get a better product.
But NOT with Hondas! Suck it up and pay them for their proprietary sauce!
But NOT with Hondas! Suck it up and pay them for their proprietary sauce!
Kestas
Staff member
Ditto. I believe it's fluid viscosity that makes the honda ps fluid requirements unique.
If you did frequent oil changes, you will be surprised at how clean the PCV valve on the Civic stays.
I cut one open at 150K miles and it was spotless, I mean spotless.
Honestly, I wish that I didn't cut it open.
I cut one open at 150K miles and it was spotless, I mean spotless.
Honestly, I wish that I didn't cut it open.
Then I might leave the pcv valve alone.
There's no need to change the coolant, power steering fluid or the PCV valve on your Civic at such a low mileage.
If you do decide to replace them, you need to use the Genuine Honda products.
If you do decide to replace them, you need to use the Genuine Honda products.
Audi does not require special fluid like the oem CHF-11S. In fact it works better on Mobil 1 ATF. Many guys with CHF systems use the thicker and better additized ATF with perfect results. In fact, the CHF looks great on paper, but is a disaster at 6cSt. Heat is outta control in the system and goes runaway as the pump shreads and scalds the seals.
So, stick with the Honda PSF as the subject here.
So, stick with the Honda PSF as the subject here.
I always use the Honda/Acura fluid, I don't want to risk it. With the transmission though, I like using the Amsoil stuff. Feels better than the Z1 and lasts longer.
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A walmart near by has bardahl honda power steering fluid on clearance for 50 cents. But with the replies about aftermarket fluids causing leaks i'm afraid to use it.
Mike (Critic), you're probably right that I don't have to do any of that stuff, but I just want to do it for peace of mind. I may or may not do the radiator drain and fill though.
Mike (Critic), you're probably right that I don't have to do any of that stuff, but I just want to do it for peace of mind. I may or may not do the radiator drain and fill though.
Forgot to say that I have some ARX in my Honda PSF. About 1oz.
so does anybody knows anything about the bardahl stuff? don't mean to cheap out but if it works then those bottles wm is clearancing out is a great deal. of course i don't want to use it if it could potentially cause leaks in the ps system.
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Audi does not require special fluid like the oem CHF-11S. In fact it works better on Mobil 1 ATF. Many guys with CHF systems use the thicker and better additized ATF with perfect results. In fact, the CHF looks great on paper, but is a disaster at 6cSt. Heat is outta control in the system and goes runaway as the pump shreads and scalds the seals.
Junkie, you've been posting this many times on this forum and audiworld. I think you are posting junk. Audi PS systems are very sensitive and I wouldn't play. Mobil 1 ATF is too thick for the winter, and if a 'weak' additive package concerns you, flush it often. I flush mine twice a year with 11S, during my oil change // 13 years and no leaks so far. Grab yourkock and letitrock.
Audi does not require special fluid like the oem CHF-11S. In fact it works better on Mobil 1 ATF. Many guys with CHF systems use the thicker and better additized ATF with perfect results. In fact, the CHF looks great on paper, but is a disaster at 6cSt. Heat is outta control in the system and goes runaway as the pump shreads and scalds the seals.
Junkie, you've been posting this many times on this forum and audiworld. I think you are posting junk. Audi PS systems are very sensitive and I wouldn't play. Mobil 1 ATF is too thick for the winter, and if a 'weak' additive package concerns you, flush it often. I flush mine twice a year with 11S, during my oil change // 13 years and no leaks so far. Grab yourkock and letitrock.
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asiancivicmaniac,
Yes! At .50c a bottle, I would jump on it at WM. I used the Bardahl Honda P/S fluid in my Hondas over the years and it worked great. I had onced used another non-Honda P/S fluid in one of my Accords P/S unit and the steering became stiff and the steering return was poor after making a turn. It had become very nerve racking. I drained the P/S system and used the Bardahl Honda P/S fluid from WM and have never turned back and I drove my Hondas forever, meaning well into their teens with several hundred thousand miles. I still keep some Bardahl HPSF around for my other non-Honda vehicles that require P/S fluid instead of ATF.
Yes! At .50c a bottle, I would jump on it at WM. I used the Bardahl Honda P/S fluid in my Hondas over the years and it worked great. I had onced used another non-Honda P/S fluid in one of my Accords P/S unit and the steering became stiff and the steering return was poor after making a turn. It had become very nerve racking. I drained the P/S system and used the Bardahl Honda P/S fluid from WM and have never turned back and I drove my Hondas forever, meaning well into their teens with several hundred thousand miles. I still keep some Bardahl HPSF around for my other non-Honda vehicles that require P/S fluid instead of ATF.
Great I'll see if they're still there
This topic comes up on a regular basis, and last time I did some digging and found this info:
Honda PSF spec
Standard PSF spec
As you can see, Honda's fluid is more like a 20W30 with the typical detergent and anti-wear additives while the standard ones are 10W20 with no additives spec. Molakule agreed with me in one of the previous post, that Honda PSF is nothing more than a thicker PSF with additives.
Using the non-Honda brand PSF is fine as long as it is for Honda/Acura spec, but Honda dealers usually don't overcharge the PSF for too much, so you are only talking about a couple dollars per 12Oz bottle (why 12Oz? not 1qt, is beyond me).
Hey, maybe if we blend some 10W30 and 20W50, we can get a Honda PSF for low price (even better if we use synthetic).
Honda PSF spec
Standard PSF spec
As you can see, Honda's fluid is more like a 20W30 with the typical detergent and anti-wear additives while the standard ones are 10W20 with no additives spec. Molakule agreed with me in one of the previous post, that Honda PSF is nothing more than a thicker PSF with additives.
Using the non-Honda brand PSF is fine as long as it is for Honda/Acura spec, but Honda dealers usually don't overcharge the PSF for too much, so you are only talking about a couple dollars per 12Oz bottle (why 12Oz? not 1qt, is beyond me).
Hey, maybe if we blend some 10W30 and 20W50, we can get a Honda PSF for low price (even better if we use synthetic).
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