Replacing your 2008 Honda Civic’s power steering fluid is as simple as draining the old fluid from the power steering reservoir and replacing it with fresh Honda-compatible fluid. The reservoir is next to your windshield washer fluid and has a red cap.
While you likely haven’t thought of your power steering fluid much—or at all—since owning your Honda Civic, it is an important part of your car. You may need to change your power steering fluid if you’re having issues with your steering wheel, like trouble turning or loud noises.
Thankfully, changing your power steering fluid is an easy DIY maintenance task that shouldn’t take up much of your time.
To help guide you through the process of changing your 2008 Honda Civic’s power steering fluid, when to change it, and the best brands, Jerry
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! How do I replace my 2008 Honda Civic’s power steering fluid?
The Honda Civic has been one of the most popular models in Honda’s lineup since it was first produced in 1972. Beyond being a solid vehicle, replacing its power steering fluid is pretty simple. To replace your 2008 Honda Civic’s power steering fluid:
Find the reservoir for the power steering fluid. When you pop your hood, you’ll notice the windshield washer fluid reservoir’s blue cap. Right next to it should be the power steering fluid’s reservoir with a red cap.
Take off the cap and put a pump inside the reservoir. You can use objects you have at home like a turkey baster or soap or shampoo bottle pump.
Drain the old power steering fluid. Put your pump into the reservoir and begin pumping out the old fluid. Place a container or drain pan below the pump to catch the old fluid.
Refill the power steering reservoir with the new fluid and replace the cap.
If you feel confident about replacing your Honda Civic’s power steering fluid, you can take your DIY maintenance a step further by completing the following before filling the power steering reservoir with new fluid.
Disconnect the power steering fluid line.
Rotate the steering wheel back and forth or side to side. This motion helps ensure the old fluid is completely drained from the system.
While changing your power steering fluid is an easy task, car maintenance isn’t always an exciting challenge to tackle. If you’d prefer to leave the dirty work to the professionals, you can take your car to a repair shop or mobile mechanic.
Should I change it myself or take it to a mechanic?
Assessing your DIY skills is important before deciding whether you’d like to replace your power steering fluid yourself. A reliable mechanic can typically change your power steering fluid
for $118, and you’ll know that it was done properly. If you complete the change yourself, you risk potentially running into further issues or damaging your Honda.
That said, if you feel confident, there’s no reason not to DIY it! Power steering fluid normally costs about $10 to $20, which means more money in your pocket at the end of the day.
Which power steering fluid is best for a 2008 Honda Civic?
Since Honda
is one of the top car manufacturers, there are tons of options for power steering fluid. Determining which is best for your 2008 Honda Civic can be overwhelming, but we have a few recommendations. To start, the easiest option is to visit a Honda dealership and purchase Honda’s OEM power steering fluid.
If you’d rather avoid a trip to the dealer, there are several highly recommended products, including Peak Original Equipment Technology Full Synthetic Asian Power Steering Fluid
. Other solid options include:
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Prestone Asian Vehicle PSF | | |
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Lucas Oil Products PSF w/Conditioners | | |
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Pro Tip Regular power steering fluid isn’t compatible with Hondas as they are imported. Make sure the fluid you choose is Honda compatible.
When do I need to replace my 2008 Honda Civic’s power steering fluid?
Expect to change your power steering fluid every three to four years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.
That said, it is possible to experience issues with your steering before this timeframe. If you notice any of these issues, it’s likely time to change your power steering fluid:
Groaning noises when turning your steering wheel
Dark, contaminated fluid, usually brown or black
Difficulty turning the wheel
Following a regular car maintenance schedule
is essential to keeping your Civic in good shape for years to come, especially as it is over twenty years old. While power steering fluid isn’t commonly talked about, it can definitely help improve your driving experience. MORE: What you should know about the Honda Civic battery draining problem
How to save money on Honda insurance
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