Thursday, January 7, 2010 / Model: function of timing belt, more, timing belt maintenance schedule
Importance of Timing Belt
A timing belt failure could cause engine to fail. If this happens, the engine will not start and may cause internal engine damage which in turn will cost you more money to fix. Many drivers aren't aware of the details or importance of the timing belt until it's too late. The function of a timing belt is to turn the camshafts at exactly one-half the speed of the crankshaft. The camshaft manages the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves with the up-and-down movement of the pistons in the cylinders. The valves must open and close at the proper rate, so the timing belt must be calibrated properly to move the valves in time with the correct motion of the pistons. The camshaft and crankshaft gear both have a timing mark on them that must be aligned correctly prior to putting the timing belt on the gear teeth or the engine will not run.
It is very important to replace the timing belt at recommended intervals. When replacing the timing belt, it is better to replace the water pump. For most Hondas it is recommended every 7 years or 105k miles. Older Hondas recommend every 6 years or 90k miles.
Maintenance Schedule (Severe Conditions)
Timing belt
1988-1996 Honda Prelude recommended every 6 years or 90k miles
1997-2001 Honda Prelude recommends every 7 years or 105 miles
1990-1996 Honda Accord 4 cylinders recommended every 6 years or 90k miles
1997-2002 Honda Accord 4 cylinders recommended every 7 years or 105k miles
1988-1991 Honda Crx recommended every 6 years or 90k miles
1993-1996 Honda Del Sol recommended every 6 years or 90k miles
1997 Honda Del Sol recommended every 7 years or 105k mkiles
1997-2001 Honda CRV recommended every 7 years or 105k miles
1990-1996 Honda Civic recommended every 6 years or 90k miles
1997-2000 Honda Civic recommended every 7 years or 105k miles
2001-2005 Honda Civic recommended every 7 years or 110k miles
1995-1996 Honda Odyssey recommended every 6 years or 90k miles
1997-1998 Honda Odyssey recommends every 7 years or 105k miles
1998 and up Honda V6 engines recommended every 7 years or 105miles (timing belt, water pump, valve adjustment, spark plugs)
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Monday, November 9, 2009 / Model: how to change cabin air filter, Importance of cabin air filter, more
How to Change Accord's Cabin Air Filter
Before I dive right into the step by step DIY procedures on how to change an '03 and up Honda Accord's cabin air filter, I want to explain why this part of your car's ventilation system is so essential to maintain, especially if you have allergy or any other respiratory problems. The main functon of the cabin air filter, which is a pleated-paper filter, is to remove pollutants from the air such as dust and soot, exhaust fumes, and in many instances, gases and odors before they enter inside the passenger compartment. Now, if you live in a city with bad pollution or if you drive in dusty roads, it is recommended that you replace your cabin filter every year or every 12,000-15,000 miles. Changing your Accord's cabin air filter is relatively simple and should take no more than 10 minutes. If you have any questions after watching this tutorial video or if you need help changing another Honda model, please leave your question in the Comment box and I will reply as soon as possible.
...Read more
Sunday, November 1, 2009 / Model: frequently asked questions, maintenance questions, more
Honda Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of the most commonly asked questions about Honda vehicles. If you have questions that are not listed here, you can post in here by clicking on the "Comments" link. I will respond to your question as soon as I can.
FAQs:
Where can I find Warranty information for my Honda vehicle?
The battery was disconnected from my vehicle and now my radio display is flashing "CODE" and the radio doesn't work. Where can I find my radio code?
How can I find out if my vehicle is affected by a campaign?
How often do I need to change the oil in my vehicle?
How often do I need to change the timing belt on my vehicle?
Is it possible to tow my Honda vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (dinghy towing)?
Where can I purchase an updated Navigation disc?
Why do my brakes make a squealing noise sometimes when I apply them lightly at low speeds?
Why do my brakes make a single “click” noise when I back out of a parking place and once again when I drive forward?
Why do I hear a groaning noise when I start my car and then leave for work in the morning?
Why does my brake pedal sometimes feel like it sinks when I’m holding my car stopped at a light?
When I look through the side of the windshield on my car, it’s all wavy and distorted. Is this normal?
Is it normal for my head lights to dim slightly and then come back to normal while my car is stopped at a light?
If my vehicle has a branded or “Salvage” title, is the warranty still valid?
Can I change the size of the tires on my vehicle?
Who should I contact regarding the tire warranty on my Honda vehicle?
What do the sidewall markings on my tire mean?
What is the VIN?
Does Honda offer seat belt extenders to increase the length of the seat belt?
Can I use E85 fuel in my Honda or Acura vehicle?
Does Honda recommend snow tires during the winter for better performance?
What are PAX Tires?
Can snow chains be used on PAX tires?
Are PAX snow tires available for my vehicle?
Can PAX tires be replaced with non-PAX tires?
How far can a PAX-equipped vehicle be driven with a flat tire?
How do PAX tires compare to regular tires for wear?
Do warranty repairs have to be completed at the dealership where the car was originally purchased?
Honda
...Read more
Thursday, October 22, 2009 / Model: checking tires, more, tire condition, tire gauge, Tire Pressure
When and How to Check Tire Pressure
Tires are the most important thing on your car. It is best to check your tire pressure every month, having the proper tire pressure is a crucial safety issue. Incorrect tire pressure will compromise cornering, braking and stability. Your tires will wear prematurely if the tire pressure is too low or too high, When checking your tire pressure it's good to look at the tire condition too, look for edge wear or sidewall cracking. Edge wear and sidewall cracking could lead to tire separation. If you don't drive your car often and park it in the streets, prolong sun exposure and weather elements will result in sidewall cracking. Overheat could lead to tire separation if your tire are cracking. The worst-case scenario, improper tire pressure can lead to tire failure and a serious accident. Incorrect tire pressure also will affect your comfort, fuel economy and tire life. You need to check your tire pressure even if your tires are not leaking. Why? Because tire pressure also changes with the temperature outside. Tire pressure decreases by about 1 pound per square inch for every 10-degree drop in outside air temperature. So if you had your tire pressure checked in July, when it was 80 degrees outside, and it's now January and the temperature is minus 20, your tires may be underinflated by 10 pounds, which is dangerous. Did you know proper tire pressure can save you money? Here's why: lower tire pressure lower your gas mileage and faster tread wear. Gas mileage: For each pound of under inflation, your gas mileage can drop up to 1 percent. Tread wear: lower pressure causes the tread to wear out faster and forces premature replacement.
The recommended tire pressure is usually located at the driver's door pillar, door jam or in your owner's manual. Most Hondas recommend 32 PSI. Honda Insight for model year 2000-2006 has a slightly different tire pressure: front tire presussure at 38 PSI and the rear at 36 PSI. Once you know the recommended tire pressure, you will need an accurate tire gauge to check the tire pressure. Some tire gauges, such as the popular pencil-style gauge, are notoriously inaccurate. Analog, dial-type gauges or digital gauges tend to be fairly accurate. You should check your tire pressure when the tires are cold, meaning that your tires are at air temperature. You can check tire pressure any time of the day, as long as the tires have been sitting for a few hours or haven't been driven for more than a few miles. It's best to just check your tire pressure in the morning. If you don't a portable tire inflator to check your tire pressure at home, then make the habit of checking your tires at the gas station while filling your gas tank. Remember to check all four tires, just because three of your tires are at 32 pounds doesn't mean that the fourth tire isn't nearly flat. Also check your spare tire once in a while every 6 months. Spare tire should inflate to 60 PSI. It would be an unpleasant surprise to find the spare tire is flat when you need it. Check your tire pressure even if your tires look fine. They may look fine even when they're down 10 pounds of air — or overinflated by 10 pounds. So don't trust your eyes — use your tire gauge.
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Monday, October 19, 2009 / Model: IIHS crash tests, meaning of star ratings, more, NHTSA crash tests
Honda Safety and Crash Test Ratings
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conduct annual vehicle crash tests to assess the safetiness of vehicles. Both the NHTSA and the IIHS do frontal and side crash testings although each organization adds emphasis on other assessments. The NHTSA includes rollover in their tests while the IIHS includes seat and head restraints in rear crashes and bumpers in low-speed crashes in their tests. The NHTSA uses star ratings while the IIHS uses a "Good" to "Poor" rating system. Here's what the NHTSA's star ratings mean for bodily injuries:
5 Stars = 5 percent or less chance of injury
4 Stars = 6-10 percent chance of injury
3 Stars = 11-20 percent chance of injury
2 Stars = 21-25 percent chance of injury
1 Star = 26 percent or greater chance of injury
For rollovers:
5 Stars = 10 percent or less risk of rollover
4 Stars = 10-20 percent risk of rollover
3 Stars = 20-30 percent risk of rollover
2 Stars = 30-40 percent risk of rollover
1 Star = 40 percent or greater risk of rollover
When buying a car, always think safety first. Many people I have helped in buying their new cars often paid more attention to performance, feature, and appearance of the car than safety. I always encourage people to look at the safety of the car and not just the look and feel of the car. Take the time to go over the Honda safety ratings and make informed buying decision.
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Saturday, October 17, 2009 / Model: Honda Safety, Insurance Institute of Highway Safety's List, more
Honda One of Leading Safest Cars For 2009
Honda is one of the leading safest cars on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's annual list for the 2009 model year. The institute requires new cars and trucks to have electronic stability control, or ESC, to qualify for the award. The awards help consumers
compare vehicles without having to review results from multiple tests.
Honda has 13 vehicles on the Insurance Institute's list and has vehicles in nearly every category, including top-sellers such as the Honda Accord and Honda Fit as the first ever mini car to make on the list. Here's the category that Honda was listed in:
MIDSIZE CARS
Acura TL
Acura TSX
Audi A3
Audi A4
BMW 3-Series (4-door)
Ford Fusion (with optional ESC)
Honda Accord (4-door)
Mercedes C Class
Mercury Milan (with optional ESC)
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Passat
SMALL CARS
Honda Civic (4-door with optional ESC, except Si) Mitsubishi Lancer (with optional ESC)
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza (with optional ESC)
Toyota Corolla (with optional ESC)
Volkswagen Rabbit (4-door)
MINI CAR
Honda Fit (with optional ESC)
MINIVANS
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Entourage
Kia Sedona
MIDSIZE SUVs
Acura MDX
Acura RDX
BMW X3
BMW X5
Ford Edge
Ford Flex
Ford Taurus X
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Veracruz
Infiniti EX35
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes M Class
Nissan Murano
Saturn Vue
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota Highlander
Volvo XC90
SMALL SUVs
Ford Escape
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Mazda Tribute
Mercury Mariner
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan
LARGE PICKUPS
Ford F-150
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tundra
...Read more
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 / Model: Honda Cog Commercial, more, New Accord Commercial
Honda Accord Commercial
This is a two minute commercial using two actual Honda Accords' car parts AND using no computer graphics or digital tricks. It was first aired on Sunday, April 6, 2003 during the entire commercial break for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Believe it or not, it took three months to film this commercial at a $6 million dollars price tag. Enjoy!
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009 / Model: Honda Recall, more, Recall on 2001-2002 Accord and Civic
Honda Recall: 2001-2002 Honda Accord and Civic
Honda is recalling its 2001-2002 Honda Accord and Civic cars for defective driver's airbag inflator that could potentially deploys with metal fragments passing through the airbag cushion material which may cause possible injury or fatality to vehicle occupants. Here is an example of a customer letter sent to all potential Honda Accord and Civic owners:
Dear Honda Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the
requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle
Safety Act.
What is the reason for this notice?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd., has decided that a defect related
to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2001–2002 model
year Accord and Civic vehicles. In some vehicles, the
driver's airbag inflator could produce excessive internal
pressure. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased
internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. Metal
fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material,
possibly causing an injury or fatality to vehicle occupants.
What should you do?
Call any authorized Honda dealer and make an
appointment to have your vehicle repaired. The dealer will
replace the driver’s airbag inflator module. This work will
be done free of charge. Please plan to leave your vehicle
for half a day to allow the dealer flexibility in scheduling.
Who to contact if you experience problems.
If you are not satisfied with the service you receive from
your Honda dealer, you may write to:
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
If you believe that American Honda or the dealer has
failed or is unable to remedy the defect in your vehicle,
without charge, within a reasonable period of time (60
days from the date you first contact the dealer for a repair
appointment), you may submit a complaint to:
Administrator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590
You can also call the toll-free Safety Hotline at
888-327-4236 (TTY 800-424-9153), or go to
http://www.safercar.gov.
What to do if you feel this notice is in error.
Our records show that you are the current owner of a
2001–2002 Accord or Civic involved in this campaign. If
this is not the case, or the name/address information is
not correct, please fill out and return the enclosed,
postage-paid Information Change Card. We will then
update our records.
Lessor information.
Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this
recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the
lessee within 10 days.
If you have questions.
If you have any questions about this notice, or need
assistance with locating a Honda dealer, please call
Honda Automobile Customer Service at 800-999-1009.
We apologize for any inconvenience this campaign may
cause you.
Sincerely,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Division
++++++
If your car falls within this VIN range, you should contact your local dealer to have your vehicle repaired:
2001 Accord 2-Door:
From VIN 1HGCG2...1A000014 thru
1HGCG2...1A035443
From VIN 1HGCG3...1A000013 thru
1HGCG3...1A032650
2002 Accord 2-Door:
From VIN 1HGCG2...2A001082 thru
1HGCG2...2A026194
From VIN 1HGCG3...2A001110 thru
1HGCG3...2A023348
2001 Accord 4-Door:
From VIN 1HGCF8...1A000202 thru
1HGCF8...1A146921
From VIN JHMCF8...1C000002 thru
JHMCF8...1C000813
From VIN 1HGCG1...1A000014 thru
1HGCG1...1A087275
From VIN 1HGCG5...1A000017 thru
1HGCG5...1A148794
From VIN 3HGCG5...1G700001 thru
3HGCG5...1G700720
From VIN JHMCG5...1C000015 thru
JHMCG5...1C033252
From VIN 1HGCG6...1A000142 thru
1HGCG6...1A148250
From VIN 3HGCG6...1G700367 thru
3HGCG6...1G714452
From VIN JHMCG6...1C000003 thru
JHMCG6...1C027751
2002 Accord 4-Door:
From VIN 1HGCF8...2A001089 thru
1HGCF8...2A116099
From VIN JHMCF8...2C000005 thru
JHMCF8...2C000086
From VIN 1HGCG1...2A000963 thru
1HGCG1...2A059892
CUSTOMER INFORMATION: The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment,
and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures should not be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume
this bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information applies, contact an
authorized Honda automobile dealer.
From VIN 1HGCG5...2A000607 thru
1HGCG5...2A114196
From VIN 3HGCG5...2G700001 thru
3HGCG5...2G703704
From VIN JHMCG5...2C000001 thru
JHMCG5...2C033281
From VIN 1HGCG6...2A013543 thru
1HGCG6...2A115312
From VIN 3HGCG6...2G700001 thru
3HGCG6...2G703705
From VIN JHMCG6...2C000145 thru
JHMCG6...2C028832
2001 Civic 2-Door:
From VIN 1HGEM2...1L000001 thru
1HGEM2...1L124960
2002 Civic 2-Door:
From VIN 1HGEM2...2L024786 thru
1HGEM2...2L081872
2001 Civic 4-Door:
From VIN 1HGEN2...1L000004 thru
1HGEN2...1L000742
From VIN 1HGES1...1L000052 thru
1HGES1...1L078249
From VIN 2HGES1...1H500108 thru
2HGES1...1H596744
From VIN JHMES1...1S000012 thru
JHMES1...1S012585
From VIN 1HGES2...1L000002 thru
1HGES2...1L078061
From VIN 2HGES2...1H500049 thru
2HGES2...1H592748
From VIN JHMES2...1S000009 thru
JHMES2...1S006318
2002 Civic 4-Door:
From VIN 1HGES1...2L008296 thru
1HGES1...2L049594
VIN 2HGES1...2H539289
From VIN JHMES1...2S000004 thru
JHMES1...2S000285
From VIN 1HGES2...2L006398 thru
1HGES2...2L024070
VIN 2HGES2...2H507870
From VIN JHMES2...2S000002 thru
JHMES2...2S000037
...Read more
/ Model: Anti-lock brake system light (ABS), brake warning light, brakes lights meaning, more
What Your Brake Lights Indicator Means
Do you know what is the essential function of your car's anti-lock braking sytem (ABS)? If the ABS light is on, do you ignore it until it starts to bug you enough before you let a auto technician take a look? Don't ignore it hoping that the light will turn off on its own. Here's a quick summary of what's happening to your car when the following light flashes:
ABS Brake Light Flashes
When the ABS brake light flashes, it indicates that there may be something wrong with the system and for you to check your ABS system right away. What is ABS exactly? It is a computerized controlled braking system designed to prevent the brakes from locking up and skidding when braking hard or when braking on wet or slick surfaces. This adds a significant margin of safety for everyday driving by preventing dangerous skids and allowing the driver to maintain steering control while trying to stop. When the light is on, it indicates that your vehicle’s onboard computer has disabled ABS. Though your brakes will still function, your ABS system will not.
Brake Warning Light Flashes
The brake warning light flashes to warn you that there is a problem with the hydraulic braking system. There are several conditions that could cause your brake warning light to flash.
1) Your emergency brake could be on.
2) Your car brake fluid level in the brake master cylinder is low. You can fix this probably at home with some brake fluid that you can purchase at an auto shop, or you can have your vehicle brought to an auto repair shop for servicing. There’s a line that indicates how much brake fluid is necessary to maintain properly functioning brakes. Make sure that the amount of fluid is between the low and max line.
3) A loss or imbalance of hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder.
4) A leak has occurred in your brake system. This problem should be addressed immediately.
You should never ignore these warning lights when they illuminate. Always have your brakes checked out if either the ABS or brake warning light. Remember, early detection not only saves you money but it can be potentially hazardous to drive your car if there is there is a failure any your braking system.
...Read more
Sunday, October 11, 2009 / Model: Air filters, changing air filters, maintenace negligence, more
Why Air Filters Are Important
You probably heard of this saying: Out of sight, out of mind. For some car owners, especially for those who have little knowledge of cars, if they don't see the parts of the car, they may either don't think about it or don't know when maintenance is due. Negligence of general maintenance of your car will result in the break down of its functions which will cost you a lot of money to repair down the road. As a Honda technician, I find one of the causes of engine problems is the car owner forgetting to change the air filter on a regular basis. On two occasions, the cause of engine problem was rather interesting. Here's what I found:
Car One - A car was brought because the engine kept stalling. When I inspected the air filter, I found a nest probably made by a mouse below the air filter. The nest was the cause of the engine problem because it blocked the air flowing to the engine.
Car Two - A car was brought in because the engine idle was high. When I inspected the air filter, I found it was chewed up by a mouse. As I was removing the air filter, I found a dead mouse stuck in the throttle body.
So what is the role of air filters and why it is important to change them? If you don't know, please read on...
Air filters are an important part of any car because they help keep the engine running cleanly. Engines must draw in air through an intake, but impurities in the air can dirty the inner workings of your engine and slowly degrade it. Air filters remove these impurities so that only clean air is accepted into the engine and therefore helps to maintain it.
Since air filters capture the pollution present in air, they can quickly become clogged with residue. If the clogging becomes too severe, the engine will not properly be able to draw in sufficient air and may fail to work. Because of this, it is important to change your air filters fairly regularly—the recommended period in between changes is 12 months or 12,000 miles; whichever comes first. Depending on the pollution levels where you live, you may want to change the filters even more regularly for maximum engine performance.
An air filter replacement can be performed by a technician and usually costs around $20, but you can also change the filter yourself if you know how to do it. Replacement parts usually cost between $10 and $15, though high-performance versions can cost more.
Air filters help keep your engine performing at the level it should by only allowing it to run on filtered air. Changing your air filters regularly can prevent loss of performance, including decreased gas mileage and shortened engine life. Make sure your engine is running properly: keep your filters reasonably clean by changing them when recommended.
...Read more
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 / Model: Brakes, brakes maintenance, brakes system, Checking Brakes, more
Routine Brake Check Ups
Like most people, I tend to procrastinate on getting things done. There are certain things in life that you don't want to put off doing because that actually would cost more money and time in the long run. I learn to procrastinate on less important things that have little or no monetary value like replying to a friend's "how are you doing" email.
I also learn not to procrastinate on important things like paying my bills on time.I am a mechanic for a Honda dealership and in all my years of fixing cars for customers, family, and friends, I tell people to never put off getting their cars fixed because it will always cost them a lot more money down the road. Car maintenance is essential to keep your car running in tip top condition. Today, I will be talking about car brakes. Your car brakes is definitely something that will cost you a lot more if you hold off fixing them. Here's why:
Brakes wear out faster more at stop and go traffics. So if you drive more in the city, your brakes tend to wear out faster. One important thing to remember, and again, we go back to procrastination, don't wait until your brakes start to make funny grinding or metal scraping noise before you do something about it. A metal scraping noise means you need to have your brakes check out immediately. If you wait until your brakes make grinding noise, you will most likely end up replacing the rotors, which by the way, could cost more than $300. It's better to find out your brakes need some work than to jam on the brakes and not being able to stop your car, don't you think?
If you plan on doing the inspection yourself, don't forget to check your hydralic system for leaks. Leakage in the hydralic system could cause brakes to fail. Few symptoms indicating brake problem are: brake warning light on, ABS light on, the brake pedal is too hard or too spongy, brake pedal goes down to the floor, noise while braking (screeching, grinding, metal scraping) and brake fliud low.
...Read more
Saturday, October 3, 2009 / Model: Accord
Accord
If you have questions and need advice on your Accord, please leave your questions in the Comments box.
/ Model: Civic
Civic
If you have questions and need advice on your Civic, please leave your questions in the Comments box.
/ Model: CR-V
CR-V
If you have questions and need advice on your CR-V, please leave your questions in the Comments box.
/ Model: Fit
Fit
If you have questions and need advice on your Fit, please leave your questions in the Comments box.
/ Model: Insight
Insight
If you have questions and need advice on your Insight, please leave your questions in the Comments box.
/ Model: Odyssey
Odyssey
If you have questions and need advice on your Odyssey, please leave your questions in the Comments box.
/ Model: S2000
S2000
If you have questions and need advice on your S2000, please leave your questions in the Comments box.
/ Model: Others Models
Other Models
If you have questions on a Honda model that is not listed, please remember to include the model and year of the your car so I can accurately diagnose the problem for you.
DISCLOSURE
