[CL9] The DEFINITIVE guide to SERVICING your Accord Euro

[Fredoops]

Forget your Logbook....

Why? well my euro had just turned 10, and over the past 10 years I've noticed a thing or 2 about 7th gen. The log book suggested scheduled is far from adequate in some aspects.

Now an interesting point, most of us would follow the "normal" service schedule without even questioning it... BUT if you read what constitutes "Severe" conditions....

*Driving less than 8km
*Driving in extremely hot (35% +) conditions
*Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving
*Towing, roof rack or mountainous conditions
*Driving on muddy, dusty or de-iced roads

Although if you "occasionally" drive in severe conditions you could follow normal service conditions.... Lets be honest here, if you live in ANY of the major metro areas in Australia and you drive to work/school... or take your kids to school every morning. Given our road and traffic conditions... you are already nudging "severe"....

I'll break it down to the following structure:

Component: What is to be serviced
What does the logbook say (normal schedule): the schedule from "normal conditions" as per user manual
What does the logbook say (severe schedule):the schedule from "severe conditions" as per user manual
What does fredoops say: my humble opinion and reasoning behind it

So, without further ado, I'll make a start.

Component: Engine Oil
What does the logbook say (normal schedule):Every 10000 km
What does the logbook say (severe schedule):Every 5000 km
What does fredoops say: FULL Synthetic in the grades of (0w30, 5w30, 0w40, 5w40, 10w40) every 10000km (if you long life full syn oil you can push a little further). Mineral don't last compared to synthetic, and consider even thicker oil (Xw-50+) if you burn thru a lot.

Component: Engine Oil Filter
What does the logbook say (normal schedule):Every 20000 km
What does the logbook say (severe schedule):Every 10000 km
What does fredoops say: Whenever you replace engine oil (see above)

Component: Engine Intake Air Filter
What does the logbook say (normal schedule):Every 40000 km
What does the logbook say (severe schedule):Every 40000 km
What does fredoops say: for OEM style paper filter, check it every service and replace when necessary... you'd better off with a serviceable (cleanable) foam (unifilter) or cotton filter (K&N), cheaper in the long run and easier on the enviornment.

Component: Fuel (petrol) filter
What does the logbook say (normal schedule):Every 80000 km
What does the logbook say (severe schedule):Every 40000 km
What does fredoops say: between 40-60k, 80000km is wayyyy to optimistic considering how crappy some of our fuel is.

Component: Sparkler Plug
What does the logbook say (normal schedule):Every 100000 km
What does the logbook say (severe schedule):Every 100000 km
What does fredoops say: ditto, if you use iridium, it will last 100k km.

Component: Engine Coolant
What does the logbook say (normal schedule):Every 200000 km or 10 years
What does the logbook say (severe schedule):Every 200000 km or 10 years
What does fredoops say: i'd do it every 6-7 years or 125,000km, it doesnt cost much

Component: AUTOMATIC Transmission Fluid
What does the logbook say (normal schedule):Every 120000 km
What does the logbook say (severe schedule):Every 600000 km
What does fredoops say: HELL NO... completely inadequate, so:
Daily Traffic & Modified: every 20,000 km drain & fill, 3x3 flush every 60-90k
Other more normal/light user: every 40,000 km drain & fill, 3x3 flush every 120k
Note: USE FULL SYNTHETIC ATF (compatible with Honda ATF), forget ATF-Z1/DW1 and all that non-sense.

Component: AUTOMATIC Transmission Fluid FILTER
What does the logbook say (normal schedule): Never, doesn't exist
What does the logbook say (severe schedule): Never, doesn't exist
What does fredoops say: LOL@Honda for this one, it DOES exist, Change every 2nd ATF change.

Component: Manual Transmission Fluid
What does the logbook say (normal schedule):Every 120000 km
What does the logbook say (severe schedule):Every 60000 km
What does fredoops say: If in doubt, use a full synthetic manual fluid, and do it between 40-60k km everytime, more if you track obviously.

Component: Braking Fluid
What does the logbook say (normal schedule):Every 3 years
What does the logbook say (severe schedule):Every 3 years
What does fredoops say: Ditto, however, if you used Super dot 4 instead of dot 3, then you'd want to replace it earlier since Super Dot 4 sucks water.

Component: Power Steering Fluid
What does the logbook say (normal schedule):No mention
What does the logbook say (severe schedule): No mention
What does fredoops say: ... Do it every 50000km anyway, it's only 1 liter for like $20 bucks... Power steering fluid gets REALLY dirty....

Component: Air Con Filter (inside cabin)
What does the logbook say (normal schedule):Every 30000 or 1 year
What does the logbook say (severe schedule):Every 30000 or 1 year
What does fredoops say: EVERY YEAR, it gets really dirty, also consider a Charcoal or HEPA grade filter instead of the simple paper filter if you have athma or other respiratory diseases.