Honda Maintenance

Quick and Easy Tips to Keep Your Honda Running Smoothly

Maintaining your Honda vehicle is essential for ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently for years to come. Simple maintenance tasks can significantly enhance the longevity and reliability of your car, helping you avoid unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs. When the wrench icon lights up on your dashboard, it’s a timely reminder to schedule a service appointment.

At Honda of Lincoln, we make it easy for you to keep your Honda in top condition with convenient online service scheduling. Here are some quick and easy tips to help you maintain your Honda vehicle and keep it performing at its best.

Changing the Oil

• Frequency: Change your oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or as recommended in your owner’s manual.
• Steps:
  1. Warm up the engine for a few minutes to thin the oil.
  2. Locate the oil drain plug and oil filter.
  3. Place a pan under the drain plug, remove the plug, and let the oil drain completely.
  4. Replace the drain plug and remove the old oil filter.
  5. Install a new oil filter and fill the engine with the recommended type and amount of oil.
  6. Check the oil level with the dipstick and add more oil if necessary.

Changing engine oil at recommended intervals (from the owner’s manual or Maintenance Minder) is important for long engine life, and helps avoid premature engine wear and possible severe damage to the engine.

Learn more about oil change here.

2. Checking Tire Pressure

• Frequency: Check tire pressure at least once a month.
• Steps:
  1. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure when the tires are cold.
  2. Compare the readings with the recommended pressure listed in the owner’s manual or on the driver’s door jamb.
  3. Inflate or deflate the tires as necessary to reach the recommended pressure.
  4. Don’t forget to check the spare tire as well.

Properly inflated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and comfort. The air pressure inside the tires supports the weight of the vehicle. Tire pressure is the inflation pressure specification, measured in Pounds per Square Inch (PSI), for a given tire type, size, and application.

Learn more about tire pressure here.

3. Rotating Tires

• Frequency: Rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
• Steps:
  1. Lift the car using a jack and secure it with jack stands.
  2. Remove the tires and rotate them according to the pattern recommended in the owner’s manual (typically front to back, back to front).
  3. Reinstall the tires and tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure even pressure.

During tire rotations, at the time of service, the tire and wheel assemblies are moved from one position to another to more evenly distribute wear and maximize tire life. The rotation pattern depends on the vehicle and tire design. Because the front tires turn and pull the vehicle forward, front tires wear differently than rear tires.

Tire rotation is regular maintenance that should be performed as recommended and is required to maintain the tire’s warranty coverage. (Consult the tire manufacturer’s warranty booklet provided with the vehicle for more details.)

Lear more about tire rotations here.

4. Checking and Replacing Air Filter

• Frequency: Check the air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles and replace it if it looks dirty.
• Steps:
  1. Locate the air filter housing under the hood.
  2. Open the housing and remove the old filter.
  3. Insert a new filter, ensuring it fits snugly.
  4. Close the housing and secure it.

5. Checking Fluid Levels

• Frequency: Check all fluid levels monthly.
• Steps:
  1. Coolant: Check the coolant level in the overflow tank and top it off if needed with the recommended coolant type.
  2. Brake Fluid: Check the brake fluid reservoir and add the correct type of brake fluid if the level is low.
  3. Transmission Fluid: Check the transmission fluid with the dipstick while the engine is running and warm. Add fluid if needed.
  4. Power Steering Fluid: Check the reservoir and add fluid if necessary.

6. Inspecting the Battery

• Frequency: Inspect the battery every 6 months.
• Steps:
  1. Check for corrosion on the battery terminals.
  2. Ensure the battery is securely mounted.
  3. Check the battery’s charge using a multimeter; it should read around 12.6 volts when fully charged.

The batteries are designed specifically to meet or exceed the original performance specifications of the battery that came from the factory, so it wil lbe just as powerful as, or even more powerful than, the one it’s replacing.

Learn more about Honda battery performance here.

7. Checking the Lights

• Frequency: Check all lights monthly.
• Steps:
  1. Turn on the headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights to ensure they are working.
  2. Replace any burned-out bulbs promptly to maintain visibility and safety.

8. Wiper Blade Maintenance

• Frequency: Replace wiper blades every 6 to 12 months.
• Steps:
  1. Lift the wiper arms away from the windshield.
  2. Remove the old wiper blades by pressing the release tab.
  3. Attach the new blades and ensure they are securely in place.
  4. Test the wipers to make sure they are working correctly.

9. Checking and Replacing Brake Pads

• Frequency: Check brake pads every 12,000 miles and replace them if they are less than 1/4 inch thick.
• Steps:
  1. Lift the car and remove the wheels.
  2. Inspect the brake pads through the caliper.
  3. Replace pads if they are worn down, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Learn more about brake pads here.

10. Maintaining Clean Interiors

• Frequency: Clean the interior monthly.
• Steps:
  1. Vacuum seats, carpets, and mats regularly.
  2. Wipe down the dashboard, console, and other surfaces with a suitable cleaner.
  3. Clean the windows inside and out with a glass cleaner.

Why Service Your Vehicle At A Honda Dealership?

Value and Trust – Honda dealerships strive to offer the same things people choose a Honda vehicle for, including reliability, dependability, and value. The Parts and Service Department at Honda of Lincoln is committed to earning your loyalty every time you visit and helping you prolong the life of your vehicle.

Honda Professionals – Dealership Parts and Service personnel are trained professionals and are continually provide leading-edge customer service, process, and technical training. Combine that with up-to-date technical resources, specialized processes, and specific tools for your exact model and year, and you’ve got the right people to help make maintaining your Honda as satisfying as owning it.