Power Steering Fluid is "soiled" ???

08VTECivic · 07-02-2009, 05:02 AM

I recently went to the dealer for an oil change and when they were done, they gave me a checklist of their standard inspection and on the section of power steering fluid...the tech wrote "soiled".

Obviously this means its dirty but my car has only about 16,800 miles on it...is this normal to be changed this soon?

lovecheese · 07-02-2009, 05:11 AM

we dont have power steering fluid....

08VTECivic · 07-02-2009, 05:18 AM

wtf??? serious?...please dont try to confuse me, lol

Don't our cars have power steering? last time i checked...Yes

as for the fluid...i assumed we did

***Zeuceone*** · 07-02-2009, 05:23 AM

its electrical so it doesnt use fluid.

08VTECivic · 07-02-2009, 06:07 AM

...ok...well I wonder wtf the tech was talking about then.

***Zeuceone*** · 07-02-2009, 06:08 AM

he probably just wanted to rob you of your money. saying you need new fluid then charging you an arm and a leg for it.

08VTECivic · 07-02-2009, 06:23 AM

yea, thats what I figured...and I wasn't even that satisfied with their service in the first place anyways. It's funny cause it was my first time at that dealership...it'll probably be the last too, lol

ecosse · 07-02-2009, 06:32 AM

Op, do you have an EX or Si? Si's have electric power steering, however I believe most of the other models still have hydraulic power steering. Someone corect me if I'm wrong.

***Zeuceone*** · 07-02-2009, 06:34 AM

yeah i have an si so not sure if the lower models do.

ecosse · 07-02-2009, 06:37 AM

I just checked Honda Canada's website. The Si and DX-G (MT only) have EPS, the others don't.

Honda Canada Civic Specs

08VTECivic · 07-02-2009, 06:53 AM

I have a USDM spec EX model with an auto-tranny

...so does this mean I do have power steering fluid?...lol

***Zeuceone*** · 07-02-2009, 06:55 AM

if you do 17k is way to soon to chnage it.

phoenixdrago12 · 07-02-2009, 07:00 AM

Then that must mean you need power steering fluid. According to the posts above. I couldn't imagine a tech trying to rip you of your money. A service manager maybe.. but not the tech.

08VTECivic · 07-02-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeuceone

if you do 17k is way to soon to chnage it.

exactly...that what got me confused in the first place.

Thanks for the help guys...

BigT · 07-02-2009, 08:49 AM

I can't say I've ever heard of a dealership recommending you to change your power steering fluid (which I assume is what they are getting at by saying it is "soiled"). However, if you are concerned just take a look at it yourself and see what it looks like.

I suppose any fluid can break down and I don't see why power steering fluid would be any different. I really wouldn't be expensive at all to change it. If for some reason it did get contaiminated it would be much easier and cheaper to replace it than to replace a power steering pump or steering rack down the line.

If you want to do it yourself I can walk you through doing it. It really is simpler than even changing your oil and doesn't take very long.

racerex · 07-02-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigT

I can't say I've ever heard of a dealership recommending you to change your power steering fluid (which I assume is what they are getting at by saying it is "soiled"). However, if you are concerned just take a look at it yourself and see what it looks like.

I suppose any fluid can break down and I don't see why power steering fluid would be any different. I really wouldn't be expensive at all to change it. If for some reason it did get contaiminated it would be much easier and cheaper to replace it than to replace a power steering pump or steering rack down the line.

If you want to do it yourself I can walk you through doing it. It really is simpler than even changing your oil and doesn't take very long.

As for changing the P/S fluid, I've been doing the following for years (I also do this with my brake fluid) on all of my imports and domestics. Around every 25k miles, I suck the old fluid out of the reservior with a turkey baster (get it in at Wally World.. with the kitchen stuff) and I re-fill with fresh OE fluid. I do the procedure twice (i.e., remove, re-fill, drive around a few miles......say 50-75 miles for the brake fluid....remove and re-fill). As for the brake fluid, I usually do a full system re-fresh when it comes time for new pads and rotors.....since I have to bleed the system anyway, as I'm not a fan of forcing brake fluid back up through the ABS unit when I compress the caliper piston to install the new bads.

The Power of Dreams · 07-02-2009, 01:59 PM

I'd say every three to five years for the power steering fluid change. Yes, it breaks down just like any other fluid. Since the maintenance minder does not tell you when it needs to be changed, nor does the owner's manual, you have to inspect it. Power steering fluid is a amber-golden color out of the bottle. If it's very dark brown or darker, then it probably needs to be changed. 16,000 miles is definitely too early.

And, a power steering flush is more of a PITA than just sucking the old fluid out of the fluid reservoir. There's power steering fluid remaining in the pump, the lines, and a lot of fluid in the rack-and-pinion gearbox assembly.

Anyway,

USDM:
Si, Hybrid --- EPS
all other Civics --- HPS

EPS = electric power steering
HPS = hydraulic power steering

08VTECivic · 07-03-2009, 12:46 AM

Thanks for all the great info guys...and to clear up the confusion of whether R18's have power steering fluid or not...they do. I took a look under the hood and found the reservoir that clearly says "power steering fluid". The reservoir is located just above the cap to refill the windshield washer fluid. It is small and grey, with a red cap.

I'll be sure to take a look at it soon and see what color it is.

07-02-2009, 05:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
08VTECivic Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,845 Marc iTrader: 4 / 100%	Power Steering Fluid is "soiled" ??? I recently went to the dealer for an oil change and when they were done, they gave me a checklist of their standard inspection and on the section of power steering fluid...the tech wrote "soiled". Obviously this means its dirty but my car has only about 16,800 miles on it...is this normal to be changed this soon?

07-02-2009, 06:37 AM	#10 (permalink)
ecosse Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Age: 23 Posts: 482 Eric iTrader: 1 / 100%	I just checked Honda Canada's website. The Si and DX-G (MT only) have EPS, the others don't. Honda Canada Civic Specs Last edited by ecosse; 07-02-2009 at 06:38 AM.

07-02-2009, 08:49 AM	#15 (permalink)
BigT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Duff Beer Krusty Burger Buzz Cola Costington's Department Store Kwik-E-Mart Stupid Flanders Park Posts: 2,185 iTrader: 1 / 100%	I can't say I've ever heard of a dealership recommending you to change your power steering fluid (which I assume is what they are getting at by saying it is "soiled"). However, if you are concerned just take a look at it yourself and see what it looks like. I suppose any fluid can break down and I don't see why power steering fluid would be any different. I really wouldn't be expensive at all to change it. If for some reason it did get contaiminated it would be much easier and cheaper to replace it than to replace a power steering pump or steering rack down the line. If you want to do it yourself I can walk you through doing it. It really is simpler than even changing your oil and doesn't take very long. Last edited by BigT; 07-02-2009 at 08:51 AM.

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07-02-2009, 05:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
lovecheese Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 15,671 James iTrader: 8 / 100%	we dont have power steering fluid....

07-02-2009, 05:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
08VTECivic Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,845 Marc iTrader: 4 / 100%	wtf??? serious?...please dont try to confuse me, lol Don't our cars have power steering? last time i checked...Yes as for the fluid...i assumed we did

07-02-2009, 06:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
08VTECivic Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,845 Marc iTrader: 4 / 100%	...ok...well I wonder wtf the tech was talking about then.

07-02-2009, 06:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
08VTECivic Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,845 Marc iTrader: 4 / 100%	yea, thats what I figured...and I wasn't even that satisfied with their service in the first place anyways. It's funny cause it was my first time at that dealership...it'll probably be the last too, lol

07-02-2009, 06:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
ecosse Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Age: 23 Posts: 482 Eric iTrader: 1 / 100%	Op, do you have an EX or Si? Si's have electric power steering, however I believe most of the other models still have hydraulic power steering. Someone corect me if I'm wrong.

07-02-2009, 06:53 AM	#11 (permalink)
08VTECivic Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,845 Marc iTrader: 4 / 100%	I have a USDM spec EX model with an auto-tranny ...so does this mean I do have power steering fluid?...lol

07-02-2009, 07:00 AM	#13 (permalink)
phoenixdrago12 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cal - Li - Forn - Nigh - Eh Age: 1 Posts: 1,408 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Then that must mean you need power steering fluid. According to the posts above. I couldn't imagine a tech trying to rip you of your money. A service manager maybe.. but not the tech.

07-02-2009, 01:59 PM	#17 (permalink)
The Power of Dreams Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 28 Posts: 1,732 My Cool iTrader: 2 / 100%	I'd say every three to five years for the power steering fluid change. Yes, it breaks down just like any other fluid. Since the maintenance minder does not tell you when it needs to be changed, nor does the owner's manual, you have to inspect it. Power steering fluid is a amber-golden color out of the bottle. If it's very dark brown or darker, then it probably needs to be changed. 16,000 miles is definitely too early. And, a power steering flush is more of a PITA than just sucking the old fluid out of the fluid reservoir. There's power steering fluid remaining in the pump, the lines, and a lot of fluid in the rack-and-pinion gearbox assembly. Anyway, USDM: Si, Hybrid --- EPS all other Civics --- HPS EPS = electric power steering HPS = hydraulic power steering

07-03-2009, 12:46 AM	#18 (permalink)
08VTECivic Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,845 Marc iTrader: 4 / 100%	Thanks for all the great info guys...and to clear up the confusion of whether R18's have power steering fluid or not...they do. I took a look under the hood and found the reservoir that clearly says "power steering fluid". The reservoir is located just above the cap to refill the windshield washer fluid. It is small and grey, with a red cap. I'll be sure to take a look at it soon and see what color it is.