Basic Car maintenance (A few pointers)

[wynode]

The following are some tips on how to keep your car running in optimal condition. This is just for reference so don't blame Ozhonda or anyone else if you follow this and something goes wrong with your car (or if you don't follow it!) images/smilies/smile.gif

Routine mainteance checklist (most frequent items first)

- Oil change (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4695)(every 5,000kms on most older cars)
- Oil filter change (every 10,000kms)
- Coolant flush (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11430)(every 20,000 kms or as required)
- ABS fliud (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32792)(Every 20,000 kms or 1 year)
- Brake fluid (Every 20,000 kms or 1 year)
- Clutch fluid (Every 20,000 kms or 1 year)
- Tappet Adjustment (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php/?t=15443) - (Every 20,000 kms)
- Air filter clean/replace (every 40,000 kms) or when necessary
- Spark plugs every 40,000 kms (ledgend/NSX 100,000 km titanium)
- Fuel filter (40,000 kms)
- Power steering fluid change (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15335) (every 50,000kms)
- ATF - Automatic Trasmission Fluid (every 40,000 kms but under severe conditions 20,000 kms)
- MTF - Manual Transmission Fluid (every 40,000kms)
- Differental oil 40,000 KMS ( ledgend / ATTS )
- Timming/balance belt 100,000kms or every 5 years

Other things to do
- Every 20 000 kms lube front and rear caliper pins
- Every service lube door strikes and hindges
- Check tyre pressure (including spare)
- Tighten chassis bolts every 40,000 kms
- Set/inspect timming every 20,000 kms


Non-Routine tasks (Inspect and carry out as required)
- Front Brake pad change (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5934) & Rear brake pad change (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27753) - when they need it (Approx 80% worn)
- Clutch change (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12789) - when it starts slipping


Feel free to reply back if I/we've missed something. This was put together by myself and ECU-MAN (Thanks John!!!!)

[bennjamin]

probably should sticky this boss...

[wynode]

probably should sticky this boss...
Done son :)

[tegstar83]

If posible can u put a step by step procces on how to perfom simple tasks that can be DIY'ied probably everything from the other's down.
Mainly stuff also to as to where to apply lube ect :D
:Ps, of course things like tyre pressure is pretty self explanatory.

[ToFuBoi]

what do u use to lube the doors with? :D >.< just plain grease?

[iamhappy46]

Use Lanolin based lubricant for door locks & hinges. Works a treat!!

Also, I would suggest changing your oil filter every time you change the oil. Why contaminate fresh oil with the old oil in the filter!?!? For a few $$'s extra on a filter, it is worth it.

[aimre]

What chassis bolt do u tighten??
where are they?

[iamhappy46]

Chassis bolts to tighten, would include your:
suspension bolts(just make sure they are still tight)
steering rack bolts
engine bay crossmember(under the engine)
body panel bolts
engine mount bolts(check the mounts for cracks while your there)

[mrwillz]

wot pressure wud u put the spare tyre on or in cases where u haf the stock tyres off the car to be put on in the future?

[mj3610]

does everyone here use genuine honda power steering/brake fluids etc? i dont know why honda exhaggerate so much about using honda fluids, whats wrong with using a good brand of fluid instead of honda, same goes for coolant...

[destrukshn]

coolant and power steering fluid is a must from honda.
same goes for mtf and atf
they fock things up, the aftermarket ones.

aftermarket brake fluid is fine.

[fatboyz39]

honda doesn't make fluids, they just rebrand them i think to Honda

[aaronng]

honda doesn't make fluids, they just rebrand them i think to Honda
They are made to Honda's specifications. And yes, for certain fluids, you MUST use Honda's.

[mj3610]

They are made to Honda's specifications. And yes, for certain fluids, you MUST use Honda's.
a radiator is a radiator, its stupid when honda oem coolant is $32 and holden oem coolant is $16, and dont tell me the honda one "performs better"...
i wanna know which fluids should really be bought from honda, Transmission and power steering?

[aaronng]

a radiator is a radiator, its stupid when honda oem coolant is $32 and holden oem coolant is $16, and dont tell me the honda one "performs better"...
i wanna know which fluids should really be bought from honda, Transmission and power steering?
LOL, the coolant circulates around the engine block, not just the radiator. Honda coolant uses different anti-corrosives for aluminium engine blocks when compared to the other brands. Certain anti-corrosives deposit on the water pump, corrodes seals and causes leaks. Honda's coolant avoids those types by using "organic anti-corrosives" (the term that they used).

MTF you can get away if you use the right viscosity and type for synchros. ATF on the other must be Honda ATF. Power steering fluid you can use other brands.

[JasonGilholme]

...i wouldn't use holden fluids at all.... thats just from experience.

i find that the holden fluid doesn't absorb heat well enough.

[CRXer]

a radiator is a radiator, its stupid when honda oem coolant is $32 and holden oem coolant is $16, and dont tell me the honda one "performs better"...
i wanna know which fluids should really be bought from honda, Transmission and power steering?

Have u ever seen the corrosion that occurs in the engine block due to poor coolant selection?

I have & will use none other than oem coolant in mine thanks very much.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/CRXer/IMG_1305_1_1.jpg


Do u still want to conduct chemical experiments on your engine now,to save a few measly dollars?

[mj3610]

...i wouldn't use holden fluids at all.... thats just from experience.

i find that the holden fluid doesn't absorb heat well enough.
and how exactly do u know that?
honda says their coolant is trustworthy, and so does holden, they both comply to australian standards, but one is made is australia hence why its cheaper, so you do the maths...
*edit* im not saying buy the $7 coolants from supercheap autos, im saying honda coolant and holden coolant both do the same job, holden uses and recommends their coolants in their 2006 commodores, its same as honda coolant but $16 :)

[JasonGilholme]

How do you know its the same as honda coolants???

I know it doesn't work well because my temp guage moves around considerably compared to that of the honda.

This is after flushing my block, radiator and replacing the thermostat on the holden, as well as the coolant. Its done it since the day i got it and other people with the same cars have the same problem.

[aaronng]

MJ3610, it's not whether if Holden's coolant cools as well as Hondas. It's whether Holden's coolant is compatible to the materials used in Honda engines. If it is compatible, then go ahead and use it. If it isn't, then please post up pics of corrosion if it ever happens.

[destrukshn]

that's a thermostat problem, the temp gauge fluctuating.

as pics posted by CRXer, that is what happens after you use non genuine coolant, even, like, castrol, nulon or whatever brand, that WILL happen.

my exp, 2 hondas, 1 always used gen coolant, 220,000 kms on it, no corrosion!
the other with 170kms, and the the pipe on the thermostat housing, got so corroded, and it snapped!!

if you choose to use other coolants, i don't care, but that is what will happen.
=)

[mj3610]

i did a coolant flush last week with that tec-alloy 90 plus i got from autobarn.
the thing is i dont think the owner has been putting oem in for the last 12 years, her mechanic just used normal coolant...

[aaronng]

i did a coolant flush last week with that tec-alloy 90 plus i got from autobarn.
the thing is i dont think the owner has been putting oem in for the last 12 years, her mechanic just used normal coolant...
How was the old coolant that you flushed out? Brown or milky?

[Spunkymonkey]

Hi Wyn,

My additions in red writing :)


The following are some tips on how to keep your car running in optimal condition. This is just for reference so don't blame Ozhonda or anyone else if you follow this and something goes wrong with your car (or if you don't follow it!) images/smilies/smile.gif

Routine mainteance checklist (most frequent items first)

- Oil change (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4695)(every 5,000kms on most older cars)
- Oil filter change (every 10,000kms)
- Coolant flush (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11430)(every 20,000 kms or as required)
- ABS fliud (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32792)(Every 20,000 kms or 1 year)
- Brake fluid (Every 20,000 kms or 1 year)
- Clutch fluid (Every 20,000 kms or 1 year)
- Tappet Adjustment (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php/?t=15443) - (Every 20,000 kms)
- Air filter clean/replace (every 40,000 kms) or when necessary
- Spark plugs every 40,000 kms (ledgend/NSX 100,000 km titanium) (typo - legend. Also type R platinum plugs Wyn? did you forget?
- Fuel filter (40,000 kms)
- Power steering fluid change (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15335) (every 50,000kms)
- ATF - Automatic Trasmission Fluid (every 40,000 kms but under severe conditions 20,000 kms)
- MTF - Manual Transmission Fluid (every 40,000kms)
- Differental oil 40,000 KMS ( ledgend / ATTS )
- Timming/balance belt 100,000kms or every 5 years

Other things to do
- Every 20 000 kms lube front and rear caliper pins
- Every service lube door strikes and hindges
- Check tyre pressure (including spare)
- Tighten chassis bolts every 40,000 kms
- Set/inspect timming every 20,000 kms
- Tyres check for wear
- Wheel alignment once a year
- Balance tyres regularly
- Check battery water levels - even if "maintenance free". Top up with distilled water if required.
- Check battery terminals are tight and battery secure.
- Check fuses
- Check other belts. e.g alternator


Non-Routine tasks (Inspect and carry out as required)
- Front Brake pad change (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5934) & Rear brake pad change (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27753) - when they need it (Approx 80% worn)
- Clutch change (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12789) - when it starts slipping
- Check exhaust system for leaks/cracks
- Grease/lube sunroof tracks atleast once a year if you have a sunroof
- Check headlights/park lights/brake lights and indicators. Replace if necessary


Feel free to reply back if I/we've missed something. This was put together by myself and ECU-MAN (Thanks John!!!!)

[mj3610]

How was the old coolant that you flushed out? Brown or milky?
very dark green close to brown

[aaronng]

Dark green is fine, but brown is worrying........

[EuroAccord13]

Dark green is fine, but brown is worrying........

I think brown colour is a sign of rusting internally...

[mj3610]

nah wasnt rusting brown, there was just brown gunk in the reservoir tank and the coolant in the radiator was very dark green almost lost its color.
the stuff i bought from autobarn is antifreeze/antiboil and its got max corrosion and cooling rating.

[Rice_4_life]

i wouldnt chnge the power steering fluid at 50,000km would do it at 100,000km. as for the other fluids it's best to stick wit honda genuine ATF esp if your car has CVT.

[Dray_Templar]

- Grease/lube sunroof tracks atleast once a year if you have a sunroof
Whats the best product to use to do this?

Oh and nice list guys.

[Spunkymonkey]

- Grease/lube sunroof tracks atleast once a year if you have a sunroof
Whats the best product to use to do this?

Oh and nice list guys.

I just use some grease I got lying around in the garage and some wd40 as well :)

[TECBOY]

good write up peoples. keep the great ideas cumming :)

[iamhappy46]

For the sunroof, I use 'Dri-glide' which is also used on car hoists in workshops and stops it from clogging up the bearings and making the sunroof move slower.

[aaronng]

Dry Teflon spray grease ftw!

[Rice_4_life]

White grease on all the door hinges and lock strikers once a year.

use dry lube it's better than white grease