Value of Installing a Power Steering Cooler on 2005 Honda Odyssey That Will Not be Used to Tow

Question:

I have no intentions of ever towing with my odyssey. I want to preserve this vehicle to the highest extent possible. Is there any reason to install a power steering cooler?

asked by: Kyle T

Expert Reply:

There is almost always a value in reducing the operating temperatures of the fluids in a vehicle. This is particularly true when it will bear the burden of towing, but it remains true for vehicles like yours that will not tow a trailer. The climate in your area may also play a role in determining the merits of a power steering, oil or transmission fluid cooler. In areas with high outside temperatures, fluid coolers are often considered essential by many drivers. I have included a link to an FAQ article that covers the types of coolers and their typical installations.

Even though you do not intend to tow, your interest in preserving your vehicle will be served by installation of one or more fluid coolers. Combination coolers are available that can cool two different engine fluids simultaneously within one housing, such as engine oil and transmission fluid. Since you will not be towing my suggestion is to cool engine oil as the first priority, and if you wish transmission fluid also. Power steering fluid can be the lowest priority since you are not going to tow.

Coolers are not vehicle-specific; you can use as large a unit as you have space to mount it. As noted in the article, coolers are best placed in front of the air-conditioning condenser core. You can measure the available area (and accounting for a bit of extra room for hose fittings) determine what size cooler you can fit in to your vehicle.

An example of a large combination cooler is the Derale # D15902, which measures 17 x 12-1/2 x 3/4 inches. This complete cost-effective kit includes the cooler, hoses, universal-fit oil filter sandwich adapter and all required hardware.

If you prefer to cool just transmission fluid, or if you prefer to install two separate smaller coolers rather than one large one, you might choose the highly-efficient Derale # D13502, which measures 11 x 7-1/4 x 7/8 inches, for transmission duty and # D15551 for engine oil. With this engine oil kit you can relocate your oil filter mount to a more convenient spot to simplify oil changes. Please note that in this case your Odyssey will use a different engine oil filter; one brand is Fram PH8A. Installation video links are provided.