What I don't understand is- this is a reservoir to hold the PS fluid (it's basically hydraulic fluid right?). If you run too low you can risk running the pump dry and causing damage.

However, as long as you see some fluid, even if it's way below the 'fill' line, shouldn't that mean the pump has fluid? I mean if it's empty you could be running dry but as long as there's enough to show up in the reservoir, there must be enough down at the pump, right?

 

Update: brought it in, didn't talk to a tech but the front desk person, here's a transcript of the conversation:
Me: "Please check for a leak"
Them: "We will but hopefully they just fogot to fill it all the way"

Me:"Yeah but it was fine when I got it, and it's gotten progressively worse; wouldn't that imply a leak?"

Them: "Well as it works it's way through the system it could get worse"

???

Also I mentioned a mild rotten egg smell , they said "that's normal and will go away; it's just undercoating on the exhaust" Me: "Why would they put undercoating on the exhaust?"
They said there's a coating on all metal that will burn off (this I do believe

About the steering; does that make sense at all?

I don't see a puddle of fluid in my driveway but I don't know if the system is only pressurized while actually turning (meaning it only leaks when I'm out on the road)??

 

It sounds like you spoke to a stupid person. Try and speak with an actual tech. That person didnt sound too informed.

I have never smelled a rotten egg smell in my 07, except after I had that horrible garlic pasta, and even then, i can take the blame for that myself.

 

Ha!

The only rotten egg smell I know of in cars is when your catalytic converter is going...

 

well, that may be worth looking into. It could be a defect on your vehicle.

 

I had a similar problem on my 2000 Accord. The fluid level would drop perodically but never found a leak or puddle,drops etc.on the driveway. I first noticed a low level a month or so after buying the car new.

Finally, a few years later a small puddle of oil appeared, but once I cleaned it up it never returned. What I believe happened with my car is that the ps fluid leaks by the seals (inside the boots) when under high load (holding the steering at full lock) but the fluid stayed inside the boots, until it popped or cracked the boot slightly and oozed out.

So my solution is to avoid going to, or holding very long at full steering lock. I've yet to replace the boots and have had no more leaks or fluid level drop.

 

Followup
Sorry I never came back to report, I hate finding posts with no resolution. Anyway, A few months after that first dealer just filled the reservoir and sent me on my way, the reservoir kept loosing fluid again. I brought it to another Honda dealer, They said there was a leak and they replaced the power steering mechanism (sorry I dont remember exactly what part was replaced). No problems since. The weird part is there was really no leakage in my driveway, I guess it only lost fluid when being used or when warm...