Steering on our 2001 Civic is making some noise. I see the fluid is way low. I would be happy to get a can and put some in, but the warnings to only use Honda fluid make me nervous. “If you use other brands, be sure to flush and replace with Honda asap,” or some such. Is this just a Honda sales pitch, or is there an actual reason for this that could compromise the steering system if we didn’t follow the warning?
What fluid are you talking about?
If you’re talking about power steering fluid, Honda uses a special type that’s different from other what other manufacturers use, and it’s important to use the Honda type. Conventional power steering fluid will ruin seals in the system, results in expensive-to-repair leaks.
If you’re talking about automatic transmission fluid, again Honda uses a special type that as far as I know is available only from Honda. Using a different type is likely to result in shifting problems.
If you’re talking about antifreeze, while using genuine Honda antifreeze would be the ideal, I wouldn’t have any qualms about using a Dex-Cool type antifreeze.
ETA: After submitting I noticed you mentioned the steering system. Use only Honda type fluid. It’s available in the aftermarket from regular parts stores as well as from Honda dealers.
It’s possible. My wife’s Nissan Altima calls for a special fluid for its CVT transmission.
Also my 2007 KIA recommends a special transmission fluid, but there’s transmission fluids which meet the KIA standard.
You don’t need to use a Honda fluid; however, you need to use a fluid which meets Honda standards. Somewhere in the owner’s manual it should say what that standard is. I just did a google and Prestone makes a power steering fluid for Hondas and Acuras. Probably can find it at something like Autozone.
With the ATF, a lot of companies make “import” transmission fluids that meet the Honda recommendation, among others. Although that stuff can be expensive too, and it might be worth checking out how much you’d really be saving versus the genuine article.
With the power steering fluid it does require a weird Honda-only fluid type although, like JerrySTL’s googling indicates, there’s other companies that sell it now.