Power Steering Fluid question (Urgent)

[frunkster]

Hi all, I hope someone can help me regarding this.

I got caught out while away this week with a power steering fluid leak & on a sunday, so limited access to anything.

My PSF top up was as good as empty when I discovered the leak & could only get my hands on some regular PSF Comma brand power steering fluid, so botch fixed the leak & topped up with that.

After doing some reading on my return & checking my manual it states only Honda power steering fluid should be used (PSF-S) as thee regular PSF1 can cause seal damage.

I'm about to get thee leak fixed permanently &  top back up & just wondered if any of you know if this really is the case & I do need to only use the specified PSF-2 official honda steering fluid?

Car seems to have been fine since I topped up with the regular PSF, but obviously want to swap it out if it does need this specific PSF-2, I know not everything written in these manuals is set in stone as it were.

Pic of the fluid type I had to use include below - many thanks for any help in advance.

 

 

[frunkster]

PS seems like the PSF-S is also described as PSF-2 

Additional - just managed to have a chat with Saj who deals with these Honda's over in Birmingham & he said as long as it's Red power steering fluid (which it is) that there should not be an issue, obviously I'd still like to hear from anyone on hear if they think/know that this is not the case, I don't want to damage my baby for the sake of a few quid on the wrong fluids.

[SirPaperbag]

As far as I know, regular PSF ist more viscous than PSF-2 or PSF-S (2 is less modern than S) and has different additives, so it's a bit like differently weighted oils.

That means that topping up a PSF-2/-S system with regular PSF should be okay for a bit, but there are also many other factors like corrosion prevention, temperature resistance and all kinds of things at work in those different fluid standards. Not as drastic as with DOT3/DOT4 brake fluids, but still big differences nonetheless.

 

Better to get the proper fluid or you're possibly going to damage something in your power steering system over time.

Nothing's as expensive as cheaping out.

 

Edit:
You can also check the reservoir for any foaming that'd indicate problems with running that fluid (-mixture).

[frunkster]

Your input & insights are really appreciated Patrick, I've since posting managed to speak with 3 different Honda specialists & all seem to be of the same mind in as long as it's the red PSF then it's fine to use, so I topped up with it after fixing the pipe that was leaking, but I will keep my eye on the top up tank for any signs of foaming & replace it immediately if I see any or notice any signs.

I was & am not concerned about spending that bit extra on the correct PSF as you are totally right in saying there's nothing a expensive as cheeping out, but all 3 guys I chatted with have been maintaining & working on Honda civics for many years, so I figure they "should" know, I may just grab some PSF-s & drain the system & fill it up with that for peace of mind, which is priceless.

[SirPaperbag]

No probs, if the experts say it's fine then it's fine. Power steering ain't my forté to begin with, so better trust those who know what they're doing.