One of the world’s longest running autos was a Honda Accord that reached over 1 million miles.
When people talk about Honda car’s longevity, they’re being serious. Hondas run forever if they’re maintained properly.
And even when repairs arise the Japanese made autos still run fine. That million mile Honda? It had its engine rebuilt before that 1 million miles.
There’s nothing these cars can’t handle. At times, it seems like repairs take the notoriously resistant autos and make them even stronger.
If repair is on the horizon, it’s time to learn the ins and outs of Honda auto repair. Keeping a Honda on the road is a task anyone can handle.
Honda Auto Repair 101
Keeping a Honda in good shape is simple, and cheap. Thanks to an abundance of Hondas on the road, Honda auto repair specialists have plenty of parts to work with.
When virtually anything breaks there’s an easy replacement part ready for order. Whether from the dealer, aftermarket, or junkyard, Honda parts are a dime a dozen.
And that’s fantastic news for owners. Excess supply means prices plummet. So long as Honda continues to thrive, the price of ownership and repair will stay low.
For Honda car owners, this means owning that Honda for years and years to come. With the proper Honda auto repair, that car could make a run at the million mile mark.
So long as Honda owners know the most important auto repair tips, there’s no reason their car won’t last forever.
The Honda Brake System
Honda brakes work like any other car’s brakes. They consist of brake pads, rotors, brake fluid, and calipers.
The fluid drives the calipers to push the pads against the rotors, which then creates friction and stops the car. The system is fairly straightforward.
Though as easy as it sounds, understand the brake system is crucial to any Honda auto repair.
Pads and Rotors
Honda brake pads have squeal indicators that make a metallic grinding noise when the pads become worn. Likewise, aftermarket pads will have the same indicators.
Ignoring the indicators means damaging the rotors. Luckily, changing brake pads is easy.
First, jack the car up and remove the tire where the squeal comes from. Next, unclip the pads from the rotor. If the rotor looks “grooved,” that’ll need replacing too.
Finally clip the new pads (and potentially rotor) back in place, bolt the tire back on and the job’s done.
Fluid
Brake fluid repairs usually just mean topping off the fluid reservoir. However, sometimes a full brake flush is on the cards.
Brake fluid collects moisture, which can then corrode the brake system’s metal components. If the pads or rotors look corroded, a flush is mandatory.
Flushing the system involves draining the old fluid from a brake line that runs to the caliper. It’s done during the brake pad change process.
Once the fluid drains, reattach the line and refill the fluid with genuine Honda brake fluid. Refilling happens through the reservoir under the hood.
Oil Changes
The Honda oil change process is no different than any other vehicle. The only slight difference being the difference between every oil change; refer to the owner’s manual for the correct oil type.
To get started, jack up the Honda and place it on jack stands. The jack stands ensure the jack won’t fail while working under the car.
Next, place the oil pan under the oil reservoir. Start the car and run the engine to get the oil moving. Run the vehicle for about 5 minutes.
Next, remove the nut from the oil reservoir and drain into the oil pan. While this happens, remove the oil filter from under the hood and replace it with a fresh filter.
Once the oil drains, replace the nut, and then fill the reservoir from the dipstick hole under the hood.
Air Filters
Air filters ensure the Honda’s engine can “breathe”. Much like a person needs clean to breathe air, engines need clean air for combustion. No clean air means inefficient combustion and worse engine performance.
Reduced gas mileage, power, and even engine wear all result from dirty air intake into the engine.
To combat this, the engine’s air filter removes dust and other particles from the air, which makes clean air, and efficient combustion, possible. Changing the air filter is important to keep the engine “healthy.”
Changing the filter involves removing the filter box under the hood and simply swapping out the filter.
Timing Belt
The timing belt keeps the car’s valves and pistons working together, or in sync. It’s what keeps your engine working and propelling your car forward.
Timing belts become worn with age and are a common Honda auto repair seen on older vehicles. A broken belt can desync your engine and cause damage to the pistons, valves, and cylinder head.
Listening is the best way to diagnose a timing belt issue at home. A clicking or screeching sound can indicate a bad belt.
Fixing a belt at home is difficult. This problem is usually best left to an expert Honda auto repair mechanic.
Tires
Maintaining tires is one of the better ways to keep a car running smoothly. While not as dire as the other tips, tires affect road feel and protect the rims from bending.
Replacing Honda tires at home means buying new tires, jacking the car up, and removing the old tires. The process is simple, and shouldn’t take more than an hour.
Remember to remove and replace the lug nuts in a star pattern. Top left, bottom right, bottom left, top right, etc. This makes sure the tires are evenly secured against the rotor.
It’s also worth having tires balanced and rotated. Check the service manual and tire specifications for time intervals.
Repair Advice
Maintaining and repairing a Honda can help the vehicle run for hundreds of thousands of miles. There’s no end to the Honda longevity.
If you’re looking for some advice on repairing and maintaining your Honda, let us help. We offer the best in auto repair guides to keep your car running smoothly.