This is going to be a long post for a simple question about my power steering fluid. I apologize in advance for the length, but any thoughts would be appreciated.

I have a 2004 Civil LX with 136,000 miles on it (I purchased it new in March '05). I tend to get all my work done through the dealer since I don't have any experience with any other mechanics in my area (my employer has a relationship with the dealer, too, which is another reason I went with them). However, a couple of years ago, after being told that it was time to replace the coolant once again, I got out my receipts and consulted my owner's manual, and realized that they had replaced my transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant much earlier than required in the manual (shame on me for not consulting the manual from the beginning!). For example, my coolant was replaced at 30,000 miles, while my manual calls for it to be replaced at 120,000 miles. I called them up and let them know I wasn't happy about it, and they ended up refunding my money. The service manager tried to tell me that they follow the severe maintenance schedule since I put so many miles on it, but that just pi$$ed me off because i) high mileage isn't a condition of the severe maintenance schedule, and I don't fall under any of the other conditions, and ii) even for the severe maintenance schedule, it's still 120,000 miles before replacing the coolant. Ever since then, I stick to the owner's manual and don't let them do anything before it's required. My theory is, Honda designed and built the car, so I'll follow their maintenance schedule. I don't for a second believe that the dealer is concerned that my car runs OK, they just want my money. So, to finally get to my question, the dealer is claiming my power steering fluid is "contaminated" and should be replaced. I'm just curious as to whether this is really necessary since replacing power steering fluid isn't mentioned anywhere in the manual. I'm not experiencing any trouble and I don't have any weird noises (I had a car that leaked power steering fluid, and I still remember the distinct sound it makes when it's low). So, is this just a ploy to get my money, or is it a viable repair?

a 04 civic has electric steering, so there is no fluid

Thanks for your response, but according to my manual, I do have power steering fluid, so I guess I'll just let it go for now and not worry about it. It's not the level the dealer concerned about, but that it's "contaminated," which the manual doesn't address.

It may also be that because when the fluid gets hot it thins out as with any type of oil, there are a lot of after market products that claim to fix things .

Honda Wheels

This post has been edited by bingo: Dec 24 2009, 10:51 PM