Hey guys, For those who read my post a week or two ago, you know that I just purchased a new 2005 Accord LX V-6 4 door sedan. I have a couple questions regarding maintenance. First, can someone recommend a good manual for this car? Haynes doesn't seem to have one for the 03-05 models. Secondly, I put a significant amount of miles on my car (about 30,000 annually). The dealership where I purchased the car is quite a ways away from my house, and the Honda dealership nearest me is pretty sleeeezy. Therefore, I would like to do the small maintenance procedures (mainly oil changes) myself. Can anyone tell me if this would void the warranty? If not, what kind of records should I keep (receipts, dates of changes)??? This is my first Honda -- I owned three nissans previous to this. Any advice would be much appreciated, including additional maintenance advice other than what I requested. Thank you very much.
In the back of the Owners Manual is an order form for Helms. Best manual out there. Keep receipts, and a running maintenance log. They cannot void your warranty for doing your own maintenance. G-Man
As G-man said, the Helms manual for your car. It's 60-70 bucks, and well worth it. The only way your warranty could be voided would be if some sort of negligence could be proven, not just asserted. If you do the maintenance yourself, 1.) know what you're doing, 2.) keep records, 3.) don't worry. From your description, your warranty will expire in less than 15 months anyway; very unlikely that anything will go wrong in that time frame. RFT!!! Dave Kelsen
Yes, my warranty will expire in a little over a year, based on my projected amount of driving. Do you think I should look into an extended warranty, or rely on the fact that it is a honda and should be reliable? Just looking for an opinion. Thanks...
Boy, that's the question of the century right there. I've said "it's a Honda, don't worry about it" for years. Then came the 98 V6 models with automatic transmissions--transmssions that were so badly designed and made, it was like buying a Chrysler. The transmission woes continued. Even after Honda re-did the Odyssey transmission for 02, they *still* screwed it up and required a recall. Honda has been replacing automatic transmissions like a mother changes a newborn's diapers. Sad, really. If you have a 4 cylinder model, especially a 4 cylinder model with manual transmission, you're fine. If you have an automatic tranny, though, hold your breath and hope that Honda takes care of you when the time comes (note that I said "when" not "if").
If Honda's AT's are so bad, as I have read in numerous places, why are the cars still so popular? I purchased a Honda due to the reviews I've read, and personal recommendations I've been given, stating that Honda's are extremely reliable. Who wants to be replacing AT's so much? I had a 94 maxima previously, and ran up 120K miles on it with no major mechanical problems. The AT was just beginning to falter at 120K. I'll be extremely disappointed if I don't get the same reliability and long life out of my Honda. I do a lot of long distance driving, and don't feel like having a AT die while I'm a hundred miles from home.
In the US anyone can advertise anything they want and reports are generated for money. Did you ever notice the cars with the most glowing articles have the most advertising space in the magazines. The American public is very gullible and can't see past the advertising blitz....
I don't think that's necessarily true. First, Honda's have to be some of the least advertised brands in my area. I don't know about magazine space, but they seem to have fewer TV commercials than most other brands. Secondly, I wasn't referring to article reviews, I was referring to glowing customer reviews. Although there have been numerous reports of AT tranny trouble, the vast majority of consumer reports regarding Hondas are very positive. If they have been having such severe and widespread AT trouble since 1998, why are the Accords still considered such reliable, popular cars with such high resale value?
its a limited number. my 88 civics still going strong with 230k miles on it. Right now, its sat up waiting for a half-shaft repalcement (boot came loose on a long run, and so joint's knackered) but other than that... Its V6 At's that are the problems ones anyway, and personally, i can't stand AT. I'm the driver, i'll decide what gear i should be in.
It's a fair question. The fact is, that although it's a fairly large *number* of transmissions affected, it's also a fairly small percentage. In my own case, I have a 2001 Odyssey that just turned over 90K miles, with nary a hitch. My 2003 Accord (4 cylinder A/T) just turned over 60K miles (the same weekend...) Again, no problems whatsoever. But the problem with the transmissions *is* real. For unbiased (not necessarily correct) opinion, you might try Consumer Reports; they do not accept advertising, for the very reason referenced above in this thread. Further, the information presented in their annual automobile issue is a conglomeration of data from many users. On the other hand, those users are self-selected, and do not necessarily represent a fair sample, statistically speaking. Of course, they are not excluded from doing so, either. Take it, like anything else, with a grain of salt. As you can see, I have chosen to go with Honda, but your 'mileage' may vary. RFT!!! Dave Kelsen
------------------------------ Your usage will be way higher than most folks, so you'll just have to be a lot more conciencious than the average driver I'd change the ATF 15,000 miles prematurely, twice, but I do that kind of stuff myself. Then after that, I'd just follow the manual. Treat it good, keep your ears open, and enjoy your Honda. Hand wax twice per year to promote emotional bonding. You've got time to kill when you're on the road anyhow. I used to do that. I did it last year, actually 'Curly'
Thank you all for your input. It gives me some peace of mind about my purchase to hear that although the tranny problem is real, there are many people out there who have not experienced it. Unfortunately, with the amount of city and stop-and-go driving I do, a MT would drive me crazy. That's one of the bad things about NY.
