Steering is stiff when I first start the car on a cold day

[Lifer]

When it's cold out, usually when I first start the car in the mornings, it's very hard to turn the steering wheel.
It feels stiff and tight, as if I didn't have power steering anymore.

But after the car warms up, steering is normal again.

Am I low on power steering fluid or something?

Incidentally, on a full turn, the car (1993 Civic) makes funny squealing noises.

 

[Legendary]

I think your power steering fluid needs a little antifreeze. My old car used to do that as well until the car warmed up.

 

[Lifer]

You can add anti-freeze to power steering fluid? :Q

 

[Zenmervolt]

Not radiator anti-freeze, but I'm sure that there are "low temperature" power steering fluids available somewhere. The thing about Hondas though is that they require a special power steering fluid (many cars just use a type of automatic transmission fluid in their power steering system) so it's harder to find the right fluid. Sounds to me as though your fluid is just a little more viscous when it's cold.

Regarding the squeeling noises, they aren't particularly "normal" on Hondas in my experience, but they are also not necessarily an indication of an impending malfunction. Regardless, it is not wise to maintain full steering lock for more than a couple of seconds. My old Accord had a warning in the owners manual that explicitly stated that holding the steering at full lock for more than 5 consecutive seconds could cause damage to the system.

ZV

 

[Bignate603]

My car was like that, power steering fluid was low and it made it take a while for the system to pressurize. My power steering system on that car was picky though, a previous owner had mistakenly added oil into the power steering fluid. It was a mess. I had to drain it all out.

 

[XZeroII]

I had that problem a couple years ago. I flushed the fluid and it was all silvery. It didn't fix the problem. It went away in the summer, but this past summer it started happening even during warm weather. I think it's the pump and I'm debating if I should fix it or not. My car is an 87, so I'm considering getting a new car soon.

 

[Mark R]

Sounds like the power steering drive belt is slipping. Check and adjust the tension +/- replace the belt.

 

[Pepsi90919]

so. my 91 civic is stiff in the morning when it's below freezing out, understandably. but it goes away.