How to Replace Power Steering Fluid For a 2002 Honda Accord

To replace your 2002 Honda Accord’s power steering fluid, remove the red reservoir cap, drain the old fluid, and refill it with Prestone fluid.
Written by Elaine Yang
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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To replace your 2002 Honda Accord’s power steering fluid, remove the red reservoir cap, drain the old fluid, and add new Prestone fluid. You can find the power steering fluid reservoir near the lower right-hand side of the hood.
Car trouble is such a hassle, especially if something starts to go wrong while you’re on the road. If you start hearing screeching noises when you turn your car or your steering wheel is difficult to turn, you might need a
power steering fluid service
Luckily,
Jerry
, the
car insurance
comparison app, has put together a guide to changing your Honda Accord’s power steering fluid. We’ll go over the steps of a power steering fluid flush, the best power steering fluid for your Honda, when you should be changing it, and finish off with some tips on how you can save on your
Honda Accord insurance costs
!
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How do I replace my 2002 Honda Accord’s power steering fluid?

Changing  out your Honda’s power steering fluid is pretty simple—just do the following: 
  • Locate the power steering reservoir. You should be looking for a small reservoir with a red cap on top. 
  • Take the red cap off and insert a pump into the reservoir. Make sure to clean off the cap before opening the reservoir to prevent any debris from falling in. You can use many things as a pump (e.g. shampoo pump, turkey baster, etc.)—just use something to siphon out the old power steering fluid and you’re good! 
  • Siphon the old fluid out. You can use a container to catch any fluid and prevent it from making a mess inside the engine. 
  • Fill the fluid reservoir with fresh fluid and put the cap back on
And that’s pretty much it! But if you’re feeling confident and want to do a complete power steering fluid flush, follow these extra steps
  • Disconnect the fluid line.
  • Wiggle the steering wheel back and forth. This will drain the fluid out of your steering system, ensuring that you only have fresh power steering fluid in your vehicle. 
However, if you don’t want to get your hands dirty, you can always take your Honda to a mechanic. 

Should I change it myself or take it to a mechanic?

Now if you’re debating between taking your Honda to a repair shop or trying a power steering fluid change yourself, here’s the general consensus: bringing your vehicle to a repair shop will ensure the replacement is done properly. It should only take an hour out of your day and will cost you around $120.
If you’d like to give it a try yourself, go ahead! You’ll be saving money on a mechanic’s labor and will only need to pay around $10 to $20 for the power steering fluid. 

Which power steering fluid is best for a 2002 Honda Accord?

When you walk into your local hardware store, you’re going to be greeted with a ton of power steering fluid options. We recommend you stick with
Prestone’s power steering fluid
because it’s compatible with a number of brands, like Honda,
Toyota
,
Lexus
, and
Infiniti
Here are some of our favorites:
Power steering fluid
Amount
Cost
Prestone PSF
12 ounces
$12.99
Peak Full Synthetic Asian
12 ounces
$16.49
Idemitsu Lubricants
12 ounces
$5.51
Pentosin ATF 44
5 liters (170 ounces)
$71.99
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When do I need to replace my 2002 Honda Accord’s power steering fluid?

Mechanics generally recommend that drivers replace their Honda Accord’s power steering fluid every three years or 30,000 miles, depending on which one comes first. Maintaining a regular
maintenance schedule
will ensure that your Honda’s steering system continues to run smoothly for years to come. 
But sometimes you'll have to change your power steering fluid sooner than expected. Keep an eye out for the following: 
  • Strange sounds (like screeching, squeaking, etc.) when turning the wheel.
  • It’s hard to turn your steering wheel
  • Your power steering fluid has bubbles in it
  • You notice leakage from the power steering reservoir
  • Color change from clear to yellow
Don’t forget that replacing your power steering fluid doesn’t just make it easier to turn—it also increases the lifespan of your Honda! If you’re doing the replacement yourself, make sure you follow maintenance best practices to prevent simple mistakes during the process. 

How to save money on 2002 Honda Accord

Saving money on car maintenance is great, but saving on your
Honda car insurance costs
is even better! And with
Jerry
, finding the best deals on your insurance policy is a piece of cake. 
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trustworthy licensed broker app
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Yes! If you want to save a little money on labor costs, follow these steps: remove the red reservoir cap, drain the old fluid, and refill it with Prestone fluid.
Typically, you should change out your Honda Accord’s power steering fluid every three years or 30,000 miles. If you’re having trouble with your steering system, it might be a sign that you need to change it out earlier than expected.
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