You can replace your 2012 Honda Odyssey’s power steering fluid by draining the old fluid from the reservoir, then filling it with brand-new Prestone fluid. In Odysseys, the power steering reservoir has a red cap and sits right next to the windshield washer fluid.
If your steering wheel has stiffened up (or, god forbid, starting screeching at you when you turn!), it’s probably time to replace your Odyssey’s power steering fluid. This guide from Jerry
, the car insurance
savings app, will outline what you need to know. We’ll cover how to swap out your Odyssey’s power steering fluid, which brand is best for a Honda, and how to know when it’s time for a replacement. Ready? Let’s jump in! (We'll even drop some tips for saving on your Honda Odyssey insurance cost
down below.) How do I replace my 2012 Honda Odyssey’s power steering fluid?
Thankfully, replacing the power steering fluid in a Honda Odyssey is pretty simple. All you need to do is follow these steps:
Locate the power steering reservoir. Look for a red cap next to the windshield wiper fluid.
Remove the red cap and insert a pump into the reservoir. You can use lots of different things for a pump—the tube from a shampoo or soap bottle should work just fine!
Pump the old power steering fluid out of the reservoir. Use a container to catch the excess power steering fluid.
Refill the reservoir with new fluid and replace the cap.
And that’s all there is to it! Once you’ve replaced the power steering fluid in your Honda Odyssey, you’re good to go. If you’re a real grease monkey, though, you can take your fluid replacement to the next level by adding in a couple of extra steps:
Disconnect the fluid line.
Drain the system completely. By wiggling the steering wheel back and forth, you’ll be able to squeeze the last drops of the old fluid out of your Odyssey.
What if you’d prefer not to get your hands dirty? No problem—you can always take your Honda to a mechanic. Let’s take a look at a few of the pros and cons.
Should I change it myself or take it to a mechanic?
Here’s the bottom line: if you want to be confident that your replacement is done properly, you can’t go wrong with a repair shop. They should be able to flush your power steering fluid in an hour or less, and you’ll be looking at a bill of about $120.
If, on the other hand, you’d like to save a little money and don’t mind the manual labor, go ahead and give it a try yourself! You’ll still have to pay $10 to $20 for the power steering fluid, but you won’t be charged extra for the mechanic’s labor.
Which power steering fluid is best for a 2012 Honda Odyssey?
When it comes to choosing a power steering fluid, there are plenty of great options. For our money, though, we like Prestone’s power steering fluid
for Asian vehicles. It works well with a handful of popular brands, including Honda
, Toyota
, Lexus
, and Infiniti
. These are some of our favorite picks:
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Peak Full Synthetic Asian | | |
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4.717k Ratings5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
Pro Tip Whichever power steering fluid you go for, make sure it’s compatible with Asian vehicles!
When do I need to replace my 2012 Honda Odyssey’s power steering fluid?
As a rule of thumb, you should replace the power steering fluid in your Honda Odyssey every three years or 30,000 miles—whichever comes first. This will keep your steering system working smoothly and allow you to turn the wheel with ease.
In some cases, you’ll have to swap out your fluid before the scheduled time. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s probably time for a replacement:
Strange noises when you turn the wheel (screeching, squeaking, etc.)
Bubbles in your power steering fluid
Color change from clear to yellow
Remember, proper power steering fluid doesn’t just make driving easier—it also improves the lifespan of your car! Be sure to follow a regular maintenance schedule
to keep your Odyssey humming for years down the line. How to save money on Honda insurance
If your weekly routine includes shopping for sports equipment and school supplies, you could probably use extra breathing room in your budget monthly (after all, who couldn’t?). Good news: we’ve got the answer!
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, our top-rated super app
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