Why is power steering stiff in cold weather? - 2003 Honda Accord

steering hard. (the fsm covers this , read it)

1. wrong fluid in pump sys. , low fluid,?????
2. air in fluid, hear whine?
3. belt fell of, Duh factor 1.
4. the belt tension is wrong, it slips, set it to spec.
5. the pump is bad,
6. or the steering RACK side is bad. jammed or ?
7. Tire pressures insanely low.?
8. ball joints seized.
9. V6 engine version has metal lines, some kinked or crushed.

any shop can find this, why not take it in and get it fixed.
or read the FSM
or login to alldata.com and read the steering section.

as you see, all this is a hands on deal, no web bunny is going
to guess right or tell you what is bad.
the tests takes tools., non of which you have.
try fresh factory spec, fluild..
never mix brands of fluid or types, (honda)

my fsm says
Always use Honda Power Steering Fluid.
others say.....
Honda is clear color, by the way, it will be plainly obvious if you use ATF.(red)
Wally World has prestone PS fluid for Honda/Acura
I use Valvoline Pyroil HPS-12 "Honda/Acura power steering fluid."
The viscosity is different in Honda fluid. It's something like 54 cSt at 40deg.C and 11.3 cSt at 100deg.C.

Honda fluid is a must if you live in an area that gets cold weather.

I have tried other "Honda approved" fluid and the steering was very stiff in cold weather.
more here on fluids.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/1700813/2

YMMV, your fluid may vary. YFMV?

I think this is an actual cable which hangs up in cold weather..find the cable ends under the hood near both the transmission and the steering column end.. each end should have a rubber cover on it..take a can of wd40 spray lube put the little red tube into the spray nozzle of the can.. insert the end of the red tube under the rubber boot and spray a few seconds worth of this into the booth coating it really well...then without starting the car(turn the key to the run position to unlock the system) slowly work the shifter up and down between gears and you should feel it work easier as you move it up and down..do this each time it becomes harder to work the shifter..also do the base of the column where it comes to the outside of the car body..road dirt and grit build up here and cause stifness also..

Check power steering fluid, should be clean and clear, if it's cloudy or milky, then water has contaminated it, which will make it harder to steer., especially in cold weather. Check filler cap for small leak which will allow water to enter. Check front tires for low inflation, which will also make it hard to steer..

Hello and thank you for asking me, the most common cause for this is a loose/slipping power steering belt so it should be inspected and adjusted or possibly replaced. This engine has two drive belts, one for the alternator and a/c and another one for the power steering, if one is worn or loose it's best to replace both belts. Let me kno wif you have any more questions or additional info.

Have you checked the steering fluid? If that is good, it may be the pump

all power steering fluid is the same actually us can use transmission fluid if u want
now being as you had to add fluid i would assume u have a leak some where in the system
you may be low on fluid also there probably air in system (when u have a leak it also allows air into system especially when you run low on fluid)
also if anyone ever put stop leak in system stop leak is a lot thicker oil and will take longer to heat up and thin out in cold weather to allow easy turning
first check for leaks repair if needed
if no leaks are found drain system add fresh power steering fluid
if that doesn't fix problem you have a bad power steering pump replace pump

The belt may be slipping on your power steering pump or the pump itself is stiff and failing due to the fluid being low or old and in need of replacement. Check the fluid level in the pump. If the steering is still functioning fine and just squeeking, then simply tightening the belt may solve the problem.

What do you mean by stick? It doesn't turn at all or it is just harder to turn?

Also how cold? Posting your question in May, I don't think you mean freezing winter cold unless you live in the southern hemisphere.

For freezing cold temperatures, it is not uncommen to get harder steering especially if you have old contaminated power steering fuild. At freezing cold temperature, power steering fluids gains vescosity and it is harder for the pump to circulate it, but the problem should go away as the engine warms up. I would suggest that you replace you fluid with a fresh approved one.

sounds like either the power steering pump or the power steering rack is failing.

hi sound like the power steering pump seals get the pump presure tested see if its presure is the same when cold as when hot yates210456