The North East here has been having a very cold spell lately, and my PS unit makes this funny intermittent noise when I turn. It's hard to describe; it sounds like a brief high pitched hum that lasts only a second or so. I told my Acura dealer a few months ago during the 30K checkup (when it was warm and not doing it), and he said that was normal due to the PS fluid acting differently in cold weather. My fluid level is fine, and steering seems normal.
I'm curious if anyone else in cold weather climates has heard the same sounds?

 

The Turbo Pig has been doing that lately in the nasty cold we've been having. Kind of 'chirpy' when the car is good and cold, and a little growly at full lock.

 

So that's normal? If so, good. I've been hearing it too and it worried me a little.

Winter sucks.

 

yea mine does it too only when its really cold and then it stops once it warms up

 

While it's on-topic, do Hondas use normal power steering fluid or something else?

<-- Almost killed a Volvo PS pump by using PS fluid. They take ATF

 

no, honda's need "honda" power steering fluid only. It is mineral based, and I don't think the other types are... You can actually buy it at pep boys/autozone - look for power steering fluid "for hondas". (Or just go to the dealer).

As far as the noisy p/s in the cold, I would check the condition and tension on the belt. If it is out of spec, the cold temps could be making the noise. Also, changing the fluid is easy, and is something that might help as well...

 

on hondas and toyota you can put automatic transmission dexron III fluid, its essentially the same like the power steering fluid in japan cars.
It's normal, I guess you could lube up your powersteering pump

 

NONONONONONONONONOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

NOT ON HONDAS!!!!! Not on any Hondas newer than 1992, anyway. Honda PSF is specific to Hondas. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!! DO NOT USE TRANSMISSION FLUID OF ANY KIND!!!!! Sorry for shouting. I get a little excited sometimes.

Oh and yeah, a little noise is perfectly normal. The fluid gets thicker when cold so the pump's pressure relief valve does its thing. They're all a little growly when really cold, even with zero mileage, fresh off the carrier.

Cold weather info? Ask a Canadian!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MugenHonda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">on hondas and toyota you can put automatic transmission dexron III fluid, its essentially the same like the power steering fluid in japan cars.
It's normal, I guess you could lube up your powersteering pump
</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Well, I have the same problem and I asked my brother because he had a GS-R and now he has an ITR so I figured he probably came across something like this before. When I asked, he told me that in the steering column there are a couple of rubbery rings that get used up with time and when you hear that sound is because it's time to replace them. He said he had that noise on the GS-R and took the car to the dealer and that's what they told him. Since is under the warranty, he had them replaced and after that it was fine.

Hopefully this help you guys (If the noise is the same one that we all talking about)