FAQ:
Q:
WHAT IS A 30,000 MILE SERVICE AND WHY DO I NEED IT?
Q: IS IT TRUE THAT I HAVE TO TAKE MY HONDA TO THE DEALERSHIP
FOR MY MAINTENANCE IN ORDER TO KEEP MY WARRANTY?
Q: THE HONDA DEALER TOLD ME THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO CHANGE
MY OIL UNTIL 10,000 MILES. IS THIS TRUE?
Q:
WHAT IS A TIMING BELT?
Q: MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I WAS TOLD IT COULD
JUST BE MY GAS CAP...WHAT DOES THIS LIGHT MEAN?
Q: SHOULD I USE NITROGEN IN MY TIRES?
Q: I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION, ENGINE, AND COOLANT
SYSTEM FLUSHED. IS THIS REALLY NEEDED?
We will be adding more questions soon, so check back!
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR HONDA
or ACURA FILL FREE TO SEND US AN E-MAIL:
Brandon@thehondadoctor.com
mytech@thehondadoctor.com
.:HOURS OF OPERATION:.
MONDAY-FRIDAY 8:00am to 6:00pm
(Open the third Saturday of each month)
Q:
WHAT IS A 30,000 MILE SERVICE AND WHY DO I NEED IT?
A: KEEPING UP WITH YOUR SCHEDULED SERVICES WILL HELP PROTECT YOU
FROM A MAJOR BREAKDOWN AND EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR CAR. THE RECOMMENDATIONS
ARE FROM HONDA AND LOCAL REPAIR EXPERIENCE. HERE ARE SOME OF THE
MAINTENANCE ITEMS AND WHY:
Oil & Filter Change: Why? The oil
and filter collects contaminants that will damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Service
Battery: Why? Battery terminals will corrode,
causing a poor connection between the battery post and cable. An
improper charge to the battery and a no start condition will result.
Cooling
System service: Why? The cooling system service
prevents corrosion, which causes the cooling system to malfunction
or fail.
Rotate
Tires: Why? To obtain maximum tire mileage and
performance.
Transmission
service: Why? The transmission oil collects contaminants
that can damage your transmission.
Valve
Adjustment: Why? Proper valve clearance is vital
to maintain engine performance and fuel economy.
Air
Filter: Why? The air filter will become dirty,
restricting air flow. This causes a loss of fuel economy and engine
performance.
Spark
Plugs: Why? Spark plug electrodes will corrode
and cause a loss of fuel economy and engine performance.
Brake
Fluid flush: Why? Brake fluid is a hydroscopic
fluid, which absorbs moisture and will lead to premature failure
of various brake system components.
Brake
Inspection: Why? Brake linings need to be checked
for cracking, glazing, contamination and wear.
Timing
Belt Replacement: Why? Belts will wear and/or
crack. This will result in belt breakage and engine damage.
Parking
Brake Adjustment: Why? Brake linings wear and
cables will stretch, causing the brake to malfunction.
OVERALL
VEHICLE INSPECTION: Why? Preventative maintenance
and safety. All fluid levels, brake hoses and lines, exhaust system,
suspension components, driveshaft boots, fuel lines & connections,
cooling system hoses & connections, tie rod ends, steering gear
box & boots should be inspected regularly.
Q: IS IT TRUE THAT I HAVE TO TAKE MY HONDA TO THE DEALERSHIP
FOR MY MAINTENANCE IN ORDER TO KEEP MY WARRANTY?
A: THIS IS FALSE AND ILLEGAL... THE ONLY THING AMERICAN HONDA REQUIRES
IS THAT YOU KEEP UP WITH YOUR MAINTENANCE RECORD IN THE EVENT THERE
IS A QUESTION ON A WARRANTY ISSUE. HERE AT THE HON-DA DOCTOR WE
KEEP ALL YOUR RECORDS ON OUR DATABASE IN CASE YOU NEED TO PRODUCE
THESE RECORDS IN THE FUTURE. WE ALSO KEEP A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP
WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND CAN HELP MEDIATE ON YOUR BEHALF.
Q: THE HONDA DEALER TOLD ME THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO CHANGE
MY OIL UNTIL 10,000 MILES. IS THIS TRUE?
A: WELL THIS MIGHT BE WHAT YOU WERE TOLD BUT IN REALITY THIS IS
FALSE. THE OIL HONDA HAS IN YOUR CAR WHEN IT IS NEW IS AN EXTENDED
LIFE OIL. BUT NOT 10,000 MILES IN FACT IN MY OPINION 5,000 MILES
IS A LITTLE MUCH. I STILL RECOMMEND TO MY CUSTOMERS TO CHANGE YOUR
OIL BETWEEN 3,500 AND 4,000 MILES. THIS WILL MAXIMIZE THE LIFE OF
YOUR ENGINE. THIS WILL ALSO BECOME VERY IMPORTANT WHEN YOUR CAR
IS OUT OF WARRANTY
Q: WHAT IS A TIMING BELT?
A: THE TIMING BELT IS A RUBBER BELT. DRIVEN BY THE CRANKSHAFT, IT
DRIVES THE CAMSHAFT AND THE WATER PUMP WHILE KEEPING THE ENGINE
IN TIME. THIS BELT WILL DETERIORATE OVER TIME AND COULD BREAK, THUS
CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. EACH MODEL HAS A RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT
INTERVAL. SOME ARE REPLACED AT 90,000 MILES, WHILE OTHERS ARE RECOMMENDED
AT 105,000 MILES. DURING THE TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT, WE RECOMMEND
REPLACING THE WATER PUMP, FRONT ENGINE SEALS AND DRIVE BELTS. WE
INCLUDE THIS IN ALL OF OUR TIMING BELT PACKAGES.
Q: MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I WAS TOLD IT COULD
JUST BE MY GAS CAP...WHAT DOES THIS LIGHT MEAN?
A: WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THIS MEANS THE COMPUTER
IN YOUR CAR HAS DETECTED A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION,
OR EMISSION SYSTEM. SOME TIMES THIS PROBLEM COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS
THE GAS CAP BEING LOOSE, OTHER TIMES BEING VERY COMPLICATED. THIS
IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES WHEN YOU NEED TO LET A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN
DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE SEEN VERY SIMPLE PROBLEMS TURN VERY
EXPENSIVE FOR PEOPLE THAT WAS MISINFORMED FROM JUST A GENERAL MECHANIC.
THESE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS CAN BE VERY TRICKY SOMETIMES. WE
HAVE SOFTWARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE OBD
SYSTEM ON YOUR HONDA.
Q: SHOULD I USE NITROGEN IN MY TIRES?
A: WELL...DO YOU HAVE A RACE CAR, PLANE, OR A MILITARY VEHICLE?
HONDA SAYS "NITROGEN OFFERS NO APPARENT ADVANTAGES OVER ORDINARY
DRY COMPRESSED AIR".
READ COMPLETE ARTICLE
Q: I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION, ENGINE, AND COOLANT
SYSTEM FLUSHED. IS THIS REALLY NEEDED?
A: HONDA SAYS THAT THIS IS "A
BIG TABOO"
READ COMPLETE
ARTICLE
The Hon-da Doctor is an
independently owned and operated, full service repair facility,
specializing in HONDA and ACURA automobiles, utilizing the latest
diagnostic equipment to ensure your vehicle is repaired properly
and in a timely fashion. All the technicians are ASE certified,
and only factory parts are used. The Hon-da Doctor is not associated
with American Honda or any of its dealerships.
© The Hon-da Doctor.com 2006
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