when should I change Power steering fluid ?

[palace_us]

I just brought used Honda Civic-181 K KM on it. Mechanic said power steering fluid is yellow and looks dirty but I wasn't sure to change it or not?
Can anybody plz through light on it.
And which place is cheapest to change it?

[sshe11]

In a manual transmission the power steering fluid is the same as the clutch fluid ... The car manual should say how often to change it ...

[dowzer]

In a manual transmission the power steering fluid is the same as the clutch fluid ... The car manual should say how often to change it ...
I think you're thinking of brake fluid - a hydraulically operated clutch uses brake fluid. The power steering system is independent. I think some older Civics use cable actuated clutches anyway.

AFAIK there is usually no need to replace the power steering fluid. But you could always do a quick change by sucking the fluid out of the reservoir using a turkey baster and refill it using genuine Honda PS fluid. Don't use anything other than Honda fluid, as they use special additives to protect the pump and seals.

[sshe11]

I think you're thinking of brake fluid - a hydraulically operated clutch uses brake fluid. The power steering system is independent. I think some older Civics use cable actuated clutches anyway.

AFAIK there is usually no need to replace the power steering fluid. But you could always do a quick change by sucking the fluid out of the reservoir using a turkey baster and refill it using genuine Honda PS fluid. Don't use anything other than Honda fluid, as they use special additives to protect the pump and seals.

oh my bad, I think you are right ...

[palace_us]

To suck out old one and fill new ..Do I need to do soem procedure before or can just do it. I mean to say do I need to turn somthin or watever.
Thanks

[Sylvestre]

your manual should state when things should be changed - stick to it.

if you really want to do things yourself, buy a service manual, or a haynes manual, and go join a honda car club, where there's likely lots of tips and how-to's on doing stuff.

[enko]

Be careful and read up before you do it. If you get air in the lines you need special tools to get it out, it's not easy like flushing your brakes.

Basically you pull out some fluid, top it up with clean stuff, turn the wheel lock to lock a couple times, and repeat. You eventually end up diluting the old crap with new stuff more or less. As long as you don't empty the resevoir, you won't add any air in the system.. if there's some in there already that's a different story. Usually power steering systems are pretty good at being left alone though.

[theedge33]

Jack up the front of the car, take a small amount of fluid out and replace it.
If it is still the original fluid then you want to replace it with the same (ie: dont mix oils). go from left lock to right lock and then back to center, this will bleed the power steering lines.

If a full change is being done you can use ATF (automatic transmission fluid). It has additives like PS fluid. And most cases all PS fluid is just ATF in a fancy bottle with a high price tag.

[russfest]

um, if you do get air into your power steering, it will howl for a bit until you actually drive the car and use the steering, it will work its way out.

Ive changed oil completely in my supra engine a few times on the power steering. Someone described it on here as well. put your wheel all the way to one side and drain, fill with a litre and turn side to side to flush out the old oil (if changing the complete type of oil). If not, after draining fill, turn wheel completely to the other side, start engine and run stop to stop for a bit.