How to Replace Power Steering Fluid For a 2013 Honda Civic

You can replace your 2013 Honda Civic’s power steering fluid by removing the reservoir cap, draining the old fluid, and refilling it with Prestone fluid.
Written by Kara Vanderbeek
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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You can replace the power steering fluid in your 2013 Honda Civic by draining the old fluid and replacing it with new Prestone fluid. In a Civic, you can find the power steering fluid reservoir under the hood on the passenger side of the vehicle.
If you’ve reached the 30,000-mile benchmark or have noticed a deterioration in your Honda’s steering performance, it’s probably time to replace your Civic’s power steering fluid. While it might sound easier to leave it to the professionals to change the fluid, this guide from
Jerry
, the driver's choice app for
car insurance
savings, will take you through the steps to do it yourself.
We’ll go over the steps to replace it, the best brands of fluid for your Honda, how to tell when you need to replace the fluid, as well as how to save on your
Honda Civic insurance costs
. Ready? Let’s get to it!
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How do I replace my 2013 Honda Civic’s power steering fluid?

Thankfully, you don’t need to be an expert mechanic to change your Honda Civic’s power steering fluid. Just follow the steps below!
  • Drain old power steering fluid. Pop the hood and locate the power steering fluid reservoir. With a metal pan in place to catch any spills, use a hose to drain fluid from the reservoir. 
  • Fill the power steering fluid reservoir. Using a funnel, fill the reservoir to the fill line.
  • Replace the reservoir cap. 
  • Start the car and lock your wheels to ensure all the air has left the system. You may have to add more fluid to fill the reservoir.
  • Check your fluid level.
And there you have it! Once you’ve completed all the steps, your Honda Civic’s power steering fluid will be good as new. 
If you’re not the grease monkey type, you can always
take your car to a repair shop or mobile mechanic
. Let’s review the pros and cons of each option!
MORE: How to check and add power steering fluid

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

Whether you take your car to a mechanic or change your fluid yourself will depend on two key factors: the cost of labor and your confidence in your fluid-changing abilities.
If you’d prefer to complete the job yourself, you’ll save money on the cost of labor for someone else to do it. While you’ll still have to fork out $10 to $20 for the power steering fluid, you’ll avoid a
power steering fluid service
bill of roughly $120 from an auto shop.
If you’re lacking confidence in your fluid-changing skill, you can take your Honda to an auto shop and leave the work to the professionals. The job will be completed in an hour or less!
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Which power steering fluid is best for a 2013 Honda Civic?

While there are a variety of suitable options for your Honda, you can’t go wrong with
Prestone’s power steering fluid
. Prestone’s fluid is a great choice for several vehicle brands, including
Infiniti
,
Honda
Lexus
, and
Toyota
.
These are some of our favorite picks:
Power steering fluid
Amount
Cost
Prestone PSF
12 ounces
$12.99
Valvoline Import Multi-Vehicle
1 gallon
$33.49
Idemitsu Lubricants
12 ounces
$5.51
Peak Full Synthetic Asian Vehicles
12 ounces
$16.49

When do I need to replace my 2013 Honda Civic’s power steering fluid?

To keep your steering system in check, experts recommend replacing the power steering fluid in your Honda Civic every three years or 30,000 miles. However, you may need to replace the fluid sooner if you notice any of the following symptoms:
  • Loud noises coming from your steering system (screeching, squeaking, etc.)
  • Steering difficulties
  • Bubbles in your power steering fluid
  • Fluid leaks
  • Fluid color changes from light to dark
Remember, keeping up with routine maintenance won’t only improve your driving experience, but it’ll impact the lifespan of your vehicle. Be sure to follow a regular
car maintenance schedule
to keep your Civic performing at its best. 

How to save money on Honda insurance

Routine maintenance isn’t the only car-related cost you’ll have to budget for. On average, drivers pay $1,771 per year for full car insurance coverage. Sound a little pricey? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. 
Jerry
, our comparison shopping super app, will save you money on
car insurance
and get you the best coverage for your Honda. Talk about a win-win!
It takes 45 seconds to sign up and receive rates from the nation’s top providers. Once you’ve chosen a quote, Jerry will help you switch to the new one and regularly shop prices to ensure you’re getting the best deals on the market. The best part? Drivers save an average of over $800 on car insurance per year!
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FAQs

Yes! By changing your power steering fluid yourself, you’ll save money on the cost of labor for a mechanic to do it. All you need to do is follow these steps: drain the old fluid, refill your Honda Civic with new fluid, and check your fluid level.
As a general rule of thumb, you should replace the power steering fluid in your Civic every three years or 30,000 miles. You may need to replace the fluid before then if you notice any symptoms of damaged fluid.
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