Replacing a 2005 Honda Odyssey’s power steering fluid is super easy. Just locate the power steering reservoir, with the red cap, pump out the contents, and refill it with the recommended fluid. It can get messy, but it saves you quite a bit of money!
If your Honda Odyssey is unexpectedly difficult to steer, or if you’re hearing strange noises when you turn the steering wheel, it may be time to replace your power steering fluid. But don’t worry, this is a far simpler DIY car project than it sounds.
Jerry
, America’s top-rated car insurance
comparison shopping app, created this quick guide to walk you through the process of replacing your 2005 Honda Odyssey’s power steering fluid. And don’t worry, you won’t need any special tools. This is a remarkably easy project! We'll also show you the easiest way to lower your Honda Odyssey insurance cost.
How do I replace my 2005 Honda Odyssey’s power steering fluid?
Replacing power steering fluid in a 2005 Honda Odyssey is one of the simplest projects you’ll find in your car. We’d say it’s on par with changing your own oil, though it’s a bit easier to make a mess.
Find your power steering reservoir. It’s a red cap on the left-hand side of the engine—the passenger side. It’s right next to the blue-capped wiper fluid reservoir.
Remove the cap and pump out the old power steering fluid. Here’s where things can get messy if you’re not careful. Use a shampoo bottle or soda bottle to carefully remove as much power steering fluid as you can.
Repeatedly turn the steering wheel left and right to drain out what’s left of the old fluid. This is maybe the hardest part of the whole process.
Refill the reservoir with fresh, clean fluid. Fill it to the “MAX” line and stop. Now just screw the cap back on. That’s it, you’re all set!
MORE: How to check and add power steering fluid
Should I change it myself or take it to a mechanic?
These DIY car maintenance and repair projects aren’t for everyone. Things can get messy fast, and the last thing you want to do is goof something up. If you want to be safe, you can take your Honda Odyssey to a mechanic.
Visiting a mechanic is more expensive than doing your power steering fluid change yourself, but you can be confident the mechanic will do everything correctly. They’re also less likely to make a mess and will drain your power steering reservoir more thoroughly too.
So what does this end up costing, and how much do you save by doing it yourself? Having a mechanic replace your 2005 Honda Odyssey’s power steering fluid will cost you around $100 to $200. It’ll really boil down to the individual mechanic and their labor costs, so be sure to call around and see who can offer the best deal.
If you decide to replace your own power steering fluid, you’ll end up spending around ten times less—the fluid itself is just $10 to $20 on average. There isn’t much you can break, but it’s very easy to make a mess, so take your time and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after.
Which power steering fluid is best for a 2005 Honda Odyssey?
You have a lot of options as far as 2005 Honda Odyssey power steering fluids are concerned. It’s important you make sure your power steering fluid is formulated for Asian cars, not American or European cars. They’re all formulated in different ways.
We recommend using Genuine Honda power steering fluid
, which is super affordable and designed in-house by Honda itself. At just $8 or $9 per bottle, this is one of the cheaper ways to stick with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) components. Some other top picks include:
| | |
|---|
Peak Full Synthetic Asian Power Steering Fluid | | |
| | |
Valvoline MaxLife Power Steering Fluid with Stop Leak | | |
Lucas Oil Products Power Steering Fluid | | |
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When do I need to replace my 2005 Honda Odyssey’s power steering fluid?
It’s generally recommended you replace your power steering fluid every three years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. You might find yourself wanting to replace it a bit sooner if you encounter any of these symptoms:
The steering wheel feels stiff or unresponsive, or it’s difficult to turn
The steering system sounds funky, with screeching or squealing noises when you turn the steering wheel
The fluid itself looks murky and yellow, rather than clear
There’s fluid leaking from underneath your car and you’ve verified it’s power steering fluid
It’s always a good idea to get these sorts of problems inspected by a mechanic. You might top off the power steering fluid and fix these issues, only to then encounter them again due to an underlying issue that hasn’t been addressed. Take some time to learn about maintenance best practices and follow those tips to save lots of money long term.
How to save money on car insurance for your Honda Odyssey
DIY car maintenance projects like replacing your own power steering fluid can definitely save you quite a bit of money, especially in the long run. But if saving money is something you enjoy doing—of course it is!—you’d probably like to hear how you can save hundreds of dollars per year or more on car insurance.
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