How to Flush Power Steering Fluid at Home
A step-by-step guide to flushing power steering fluid at home, with the right fluid for the car and the gear that makes the exchange easier.
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A steering wheel that groans at parking speed and feels stiff on a cold morning often points to tired power steering fluid, and a flush is a job a home garage can handle. How to flush power steering fluid comes down to a simple exchange: get the old fluid out of the reservoir, refill with the fluid the owner’s manual calls for, and bleed the air out until the steering feels smooth and quiet again.
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Below: the steps, the gear, how to match the fluid, and common questions.
Lubegard 23232 Complete Synthetic Power Steering
A complete synthetic power steering fluid for European, North American and Asian vehicles in a 32 fl oz bottle, made for electric hydraulic systems.
Pros
- Fits European, North American and Asian vehicles
- Reduces friction and protects seals and hoses
- Excellent cold and high temperature performance
- Cleans and frees sticky turbines and pumps
Cons
- Spec table lists the weight as 0.000625 lb, which does not match a 32 fl oz bottle
- No warranty term is stated
- Honda fluid is recommended for Honda and Acura vehicles, so check the manual first
- Only a 32 fl oz size is stated
Lubegard 24242 COMPLETE Synthetic PSF for Honda
A complete synthetic power steering fluid for Honda and Acura systems in a 32 oz bottle, for 2007 and up vehicles that require a fully synthetic formula.
Pros
- Made for Honda and Acura power steering systems
- Suits 2012 and up Ford Super Duty vehicles that take Ford High Temperature Power Steering Fluid
- Superior anti-wear protection for the steering unit
- Effective in a wide range of temperatures
Cons
- Made for Honda and Acura, so check the manual for other makes
- No warranty term is stated
- Only a 32 oz size is stated
- No fluid-life figure is stated
Prestone AS262 Power Steering Fluid with Stop
A power steering fluid with stop leak additives and a 50,000 mile fluid life, in a 12 oz bottle with a conventional formula for use in all manufacturers.
Pros
- 50,000 mile fluid life stated
- Stop leak additives to prevent and stop leaks
- Anti-wear protection against pump failure, squeals and clogs
- Corrosion protection for metals, rubber and gasket components
Cons
- Conventional formula only; no synthetic option is stated
- 12 oz bottle, the smallest bottle here
- Warranty description reads only 'As labelled', with no concrete term
- Color is listed as a code, RQDE-47P-A2, not a color name
Bar's Leaks High Mileage Power Steering Repair-It
A high mileage power steering repair fluid in a 16.9 oz dual cavity bottle, made to reduce noise, smooth hard steering and stop leaks.
Pros
- Dual cavity bottle with additives for common fluid-related problems
- Stops leaks and reconditions rack and pinion
- Compatible with all types of power steering fluid or ATF
- Tops off existing fluid or goes in when changing fluid
Cons
- Warranty description reads only 'Warranty', with no concrete term
- No fluid-life figure is stated
- Only a 16.9 oz size is stated
- One bullet misspells performance as PREFORMANCE
How to flush power steering fluid step by step
A flush is a drain and refill, repeated until the fluid in the reservoir looks fresh. Work with the engine off for the drain and refill.
- Check the manual. Confirm the fluid type, the reservoir location and the bleed procedure the maker lists.
- Draw the old fluid out. With the engine off and the car on level ground, remove the reservoir cap and draw the old fluid out with a fluid transfer pump.
- Refill with fresh fluid. Fill the reservoir with fresh fluid of the type the manual calls for.
- Move it through. Refit the cap and start the engine, then turn the wheel slowly from lock to lock to move the fresh fluid through. Switch the engine off, check the level and top off.
- Check for leaks. Start the engine again and check the hoses and fittings for leaks while you listen for noise.
- Repeat the exchange. With the engine off, draw and refill again until the fluid in the reservoir looks fresh, then set the level to the mark and refit the cap.
The gear for a power steering fluid flush
Each fluid below handles a part of the flush, from the refill itself to quieting a noisy pump, so match the bottle to the car and the job.
Which fluid fits the car
Power steering fluid is not one fluid for every car. Match the bottle to the manual: a Honda or Acura that calls for a fully synthetic formula takes a different bottle than a car whose manual lists a conventional fluid.
| Fluid | Listed fit |
|---|---|
| Lubegard 23232 | European, North American and Asian vehicles |
| Lubegard 24242 | Honda and Acura systems; also 2012 and up Ford Super Duty vehicles that take Ford High Temperature Power Steering Fluid |
| Prestone AS262 | Conventional formula for use in all manufacturers |
| Bar’s Leaks 1600 | Compatible with all types of power steering fluid or ATF |
When the manual names a fluid, that listing wins. The 23232 listing notes that Honda fluid is recommended for Honda and Acura vehicles, so a Honda or Acura owner starts with the 24242.
Work safe around a running engine
Keep hands, sleeves and rags clear of belts and fans while the engine runs, and keep the reservoir cap off only while the engine is off. Fluid stains driveways and garage floors, so keep rags and a drain pan under the work. Collect the old fluid in a sealed container and dispose of it under local rules.
Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
How often should power steering fluid be flushed?
Follow the owner’s manual for the car. As a guide to fluid life, the Prestone AS262 listing states a 50,000 mile fluid life for its fluid.
Can power steering fluid be mixed with ATF?
The Bar’s Leaks 1600 listing states its fluid is compatible with all types of power steering fluid or ATF, which covers adding it to a system filled with either. It does not say to mix power steering fluid and ATF together, so check the manual before mixing anything in the reservoir.
What fluid does a Honda or Acura need?
The Lubegard 24242 is a complete synthetic fluid for Honda and Acura systems, including 2007 and up vehicles that require a fully synthetic formula.
Can a stop-leak fluid quiet a noisy pump?
The Prestone AS262 includes stop leak additives and anti-wear protection against pump failure, squeals and clogs, and the Bar’s Leaks 1600 states it reduces noise and smooths hard steering. Either suits a car that shows a slow leak or noise; a healthy system takes a plain fluid that matches the manual.
How much fluid does a flush need?
The bottles here come in 12 oz, 16.9 oz and 32 oz sizes. Check the manual for the amount the system holds, and keep a spare bottle on hand.
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