Replacing your 2004 Acura TL power steering fluid is a beginner-friendly DIY car maintenance task—all you have to do is locate the power steering fluid reservoir with the red cap, pump out the old stuff, and refill it with fresh power steering fluid.
You may not think much about your vehicle’s power steering capabilities until you no longer have them. If you’re muscling into turns or hearing screeching sounds, it could be time to replace your 2004 Acura TL’s power steering fluid.
Thankfully, power steering fluid replacements are a relatively easy garage task. To help guide you through, Jerry
, a car insurance
super app, will explain how to replace the power steering fluid, the best fluid to use, how to tell when it needs replacing, and expert tips for saving on your Acura TL car insurance costs
. How do I replace my 2004 Acura TL’s power steering fluid?
Replacing the power steering fluid in your 2004 Acura TL may seem like a daunting task, but it is pretty simple. Just follow these steps:
Locate the power steering reservoir. It will be next to the windshield wiper fluid on the passenger side. Look for the red cap, then remove it.
Place a pump in the reservoir. After removing the red cap, insert a pump. This can be an actual mechanical pump you get from an auto shop or as basic as an old turkey baster or shampoo bottle pump.
Pump out the old power steering fluid. Pump the old fluid into a sealable container for later disposal. It’s also useful to have an old rag on standby for spills and splashes in or around the engine.
Refill the reservoir with clean power steering fluid. Fill it to the upper-level mark on the side of the reservoir, then replace the cap and wipe away any excess fluid.
That’s it! Simple enough, right? But if you’re thinking there’s no way you want to attempt that or get all that greasy fluid on yourself, you can always take your car to a mechanic. They’ll be able to flush out the old fluid and refill it for you.
MORE: How to check and add power steering fluid
Should I change it myself or take it to a mechanic?
If you’re on the fence between DIYing the replacement and just handing it off to your mechanic, consider the pros and cons.
Certified mechanics have the experience and tools necessary to replace your 2004 Acura TL power steering fluid with ease and skill. You can feel confident that the job is done correctly, but you will be paying a bit more—around $120.
On the other hand, performing a power steering fluid service
yourself is totally doable, even for a beginner. You can buy power steering fluid for around $10 to $20, so if you’re looking to save money and want to try your hand at car maintenance
, go for it! Which power steering fluid is best for a 2004 Acura TL?
Per the 2004 Acura TL owner’s manual, it is recommended that you only use Honda Power Steering Fluid
. However, many in Acura TL forums have success with other kinds of power steering fluid, too—here are the most popular brands: | | |
|---|
| | |
Peak Full Synthetic Asian PSF | | |
Prestone Asian Vehicle PSF | | |
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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 Acura’s parent company is Honda, which is why their recommendation is for Honda branded power steering fluid. Regardless of what fluid you choose, ensure it’s Acura and Honda compatible.
When do I need to replace my 2004 Acura TL power steering fluid?
There is no hard and fast metric that can tell you when it’s time to replace the 2004 Acura TL power steering fluid. However, sticking to an interval of about every three years is recommended.
This timeline may be shorter or longer for each vehicle depending on your driving conditions and frequency, so keep an eye out for these signs telling you it’s time for a fluid replacement:
Loud noises like screeching, squealing, or grinding when you’re turning the wheel.
Darkening color or bubbles in the fluid. Clean power steering fluid will be nearly clear.
Maintaining clean power steering fluid makes turning and controlling your vehicle easier, and it will help to improve your Acura TL’s health over its lifetime.
How to save money on Acura insurance
Replacing your 2004 Acura TL power steering fluid is a pretty easy maintenance task—and saving money on your Acura car insurance costs
with Jerry
is even easier. Jerry is a trustworthy licensed insurance broker
that lives in your pocket. But don’t worry about buying tiny office furniture: Jerry is an app. Once you download Jerry, just answer a handful of questions that will take you roughly 45 seconds to complete, and you’ll immediately get car insurance quotes for coverage similar to your current plan. Jerry customers save an average of $800+ a year on car insurance payments!
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