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How much should a power steering fluid flush cost to perform?

146K views 25 replies 19 participants last post by  jimijam 
#1 ·
Today, I got my oil changed at a Midas shop for about $21. Not surprisingly, they gave me an estimate for laundry list of preventative maintenance items that they "recommend". Now I know to listen to the owner's manual more than a muffler shop :yes: , but that made me curious on what things should cost.

The service guy said that the Power Steering fluid looked slightly dirty. They would charge $115 to flush out and replace the power steering fluid.

Also, he recommended changing the "V-belts" (serpentine?), and radiator hoses. Parts and labor for those items came to about $280 total.

Now I know a shop is in the business to make money, and I'm sure the prices are probably slightly high, if not about equal to a dealership rate.

Strangely enough, I didn't see anything in the owner's manual about changing radiator hoses or the serpentine belt. :dunno:
 
#2 ·
I am kind of curious about the power steering flush as well. I am almost at 50k miles and was thinking about doing it myself if possible, yay or nay?
 
#3 ·
Oh god!

Don't use Midas to change Power steering or transmission fluid! (Or anything else!)

They will NOT use Honda fluid, and it is a must that you use Honda fluid in the P/S or the system will leak! (says Honda fluid ONLY on the top of the P/S fluid in the engine bay). The same goes for people with Automatic Transmissions.

The first tune up interval for 2003-2005 Accord 4Cyl (this can be applied to 06-07 models, but they have Maint systems that are designed to tell you when to have each service done.) is at 120k miles or 7 years. Whichever comes first.

The 120k mile service is when the coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, spark plugs and external belts (the ones you can see in the engine bay) along with the water pump should be replaced. Engine timing and idle should be checked/adjusted, however there is no need to adjust the chain, as it is self adjusting. The parking brake should also be adjusted at that time.

Also, look over everything, especially the exhaust, hoses, brakes, CV boots (inner and outer), tires, bushings, lubricate the door hinges, locks, sunroof (if equipped) etc.

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=17493

Midas was just trying to make a few bucks. You're fine. :yes:

Honda Parts are key to the reliability and performance of your Accord, I would not trust Midas with doing anything other than oil changes and maybe brakes. Find a local Honda specialist in your area (google), or a dealer with reasonable prices that you like.

Kudos to you for researching before letting Midas run off with your money. The 7th gen Accord is a very low maintenance car that should last a very long time. (A member recently traded his 03 in with 240k going strong.)

:wave:
 
#4 ·
Step away from that place.... they are messin' with your brain!

Usually the external belts are replaced at timing belt time.... 100k or so.

As far as the PS fluid. If it's dirty use a turkey baster & take out the old stuff & add new HONDA recommended quality. If you are concerned about "dirt" in it. Squirt it into a clear jar. If it looks fine. just refill with new stuff. If it looks dirty. Fill & empty weekly or so till it looks clean. easy.

FLUSHES are rarely EVER required!

If it ain't broke don't FIX it!!

Keep having the oil changed on a regular basis & enjoy your car!!
 
#5 ·
#6 ·
We don't FLUSH anything on mine. When it's time to change a fluid, we empty & add fresh. Flushing can make dirt get INTO the system that you're trying to protect.

So brake systems, it's the same.
Trannies, it's the same.

We change things fairly regularly. Most things, if in doubt...go with 15K, if picky. If not, 30K is fine. That's how they used to service Hondas. I'm sure they only changed it to 105K to keep costs down...not what's good for the car.
 
#7 ·
After seeing this thread I looked up the PS fluid change interval in my owner's manual. There isn't one - just an "inspect PS fluid" note. Mine looks clean at 60K miles, but I think I'm going shopping for a turkey baster soon.
 
#9 ·
Thanks for the replies.

I've taken multiple cars in there for oil changes over the past few years, and this was the first time they threw me a sales pitch. The mechanic dude looked to be new though. Perhaps they are hurting in this poor economy, and are trying to drum up some extra sales.

Its not the first time I've had a shop try to snooker me into some work. Back when I had my first car ('89 Taurus), Merchant's Tire was doing a simple tire rotation, and recommended a full tie rod end replacement for $800. They tried the fear tactic that it would break at "any moment". I declined and drove the car for an additional 70K miles with no problems before selling it.
 
#10 ·
I'm sure it's mostly due to the economy, but unfortunately there way too many greedy people out there even during good times!

My prince has worked with several over the years. He's called them on it before. The higher-ups were down on HIM instead of the liar though. The more they sell the bigger the profit! He hates to see it. Co-workers learn pretty quickly to not be talking about things like that around him!!

Big-O tires is notorious for trying to sell many other repairs when people are in for simple things. Many friends have fallen for it & had 600+ dollars worth of needless work done.

Things like that are one of the reasons that forums are a good thing! Many times we can advise how to check yourself, or whether or not the car's mileage/age would warrant such things, or if it's a fair price, etc. :thmsup: Eventually we may be able to promote more honesty in the world....one shop at a time!!:D
 
#16 ·
I have to second the comments on BIG O TIRE. I had it happen to me. I even wrote an email to their corporate offices in Colorado after finding out they downright LIED to me. Corporates response was, "You know they are Franchised...don't you?" STAY AWAY FROM BIG O TIRE!
 
#11 ·
I need to stop taking my car there for an oil change, and it sucks because they are one of the few reliable places I trust to change the oil correctly (had a drain plug fall out of a different car after a dealership oil change).

Anyway, out of sheer convenience I had Midas change my oil again yesterday. Again, they tried to sell me a huge laundry list of items, again including the belts and hoses, but this time, a radiator flush, a fuel injector cleaner treatment, fuel breather element, valve adjustments, and more. Total estimate $750

I politely thanked them for the quote, and bolted out of there after paying for just the oil change.

I'd do the job myself, but that filter looks fairly difficult to get my hands on, not to mention, feeling around for the place to reinstall once the old one is off.
 
#12 ·
How much does Midas charge anyways?

The three dealers in my area are 35 (27 with coupon off website), 23, and 38 to do oil changes. You should change the trans fluid every 30k, brake fluid every 2-3 years (it should be clear), and the rest you should follow the service schedule. Maybe do the coolant every 60k miles, and use Honda coolant. The manual says to change it at 120k, then 90k thereafter. It does seem kind of long.

Stay away!!!
 
#14 ·
A shop that keeps trying to upsell unneeded services makes me nervous. If you keep declining they may start to sabotage your car since their so desperate for cash. Then justify it to themselves by saying "oh it was going to go out sooner or later".

A local tv station did a investigative story by unplugging a wire in a minivan causing the cel to go off. They then visited all these shops for the repair diagnosis. One even said the van needed all new wheel bearings. 8 out of the 10 shops tried to scam then. One even charged for a new alternator but kept the old one in.

The minivan was a Ford and was checked out by two dealers beforehand to make sure all other components were fine. When the crooked shops were confronted it sure was FUNNY!
 
#15 ·
Why would you want to go to a muffler shop to have your oil changed any way. that like going to a Doctor that specialize in heart trans plants, and having your eyes examined. Just go to your Honda dealer and have all the work done that you can not do or do not want to do. That is what i do and the dealership and i get alone great. most of the time they do not charge me for some things. you scratch my back and i will the same for you type of think.
 
#17 ·
Steering Fluid

I am suspicious of this Steering Fluid issue.

My Accord Euro went in to Honda Service for a product recall on the power steering hose replacement. Took the car in. Then when I got home I was called by Honda and told my steerage fluid was dirty and it hadn't been changed since I bought the car. It was dirty! How could it get dirty? its a hydraulic fluid.

This whole thing is a manufacturers recall. The estimate for the 'flush and replace of the fluid was a staggering $160!

Had it done by a local mechanic who charged me $35.

Hmmmm I think Honda Service need to review this business practice.
 
#18 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am a certified Master Technician with 39 years in the field and I am amazed at the amount of misinformation in the above posts. Power steering fluid is an unfiltered fluid, as the rubber lines that carry the fluid through the system deteriorate on the inside the fluid picks up those particles as well as metal particles that are shed from wear of steering components. take a fluid sample and compare it to new fluid.

As far as belts and hoses not being listed in the owners manual that is Honda's ignorance and yours as well if you believe that a rubber component such as a belt or hose will last the life of the car.

Stating matter of Factory that Midas will not put the right fluid in again shows ignorance on the part of the poster. Knowing which fluid to put in a vehicle is basic and any professional shop or Technician will verify which fluid should be installed in a vehicle.

My advice is find a good PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN and stop listening to these (THE BUTTOCKS OF AN OFFSPRING OF A HORSE AND MULE) , everything on the internet is NOT true and the bad advice above will cost you far more than the price of a belt. i.e. a tow bill when the belt breaks from neglect. Yes there are dishonest mechanics out there, if in doubt ask to be shown what is wrong, ask questions like why do I need to replace my belt and finally if you want internet advice go to a reputable source like Car Talk, Ask.com or the Car Care Council and don't listen to to non-professional car people that think they know it all.
 
#20 ·
My advice is find a good PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN and stop listening to these jackasses, everything on the internet is NOT true and the bad advice above will cost you far more than the price of a belt. i.e. a tow bill when the belt breaks from neglect. Yes there are dishonest mechanics out there, if in doubt ask to be shown what is wrong, ask questions like why do I need to replace my belt and finally if you want internet advice go to a reputable source like Car Talk, Ask.com or the Car Care Council and don't listen to to non-professional car people that think they know it all.
Welcome, Gary. If you're responding directly to posters in this thread, you might want to note that it's 8.5 years old. This is one of the best sites around for info directly pertaining to Honda Accords. There is plenty of valuable information here, but like any site, you have to sift through it. Also, around here, we tend to encourage owners to skip the mechanics/shops and DIY instead.

...Drew...
 
#19 ·
And now you are one of the jackasses for responding to an EIGHT year old thread with your alleged knowledge. Our Princess (RIP) was well informed since her husband is a Master Tech for both Honda and Acura. Go to the top of this page and see about Princess.
 
#21 ·
yeah I just dump the reservoir and refill it. only costs the price of the new fluid. an old lady could do it because its so simple.
 
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