honda owners ; i need maintenance advice

beefy z · 04-09-07, 07:24

kid just got a new '07 accord lx. was reading the owner's manual regarding maintenance.
manual very specific when adding /changing brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid etc. they say only honda fluids bought from dealer are to be used as other brands will "contaminate" system. for years our gm, ford, & chrysler vehicles also recommended we "use " their fluids but never stated we were contaminating the system if we used other manufacturers fluids. how critical is this to a honda or simply will using prestones 50/50 coolant mix for aluminum engines or stp/quaker states brake fluid etc be ok in the honda. additionally, the honda has this maintenance minder computer. is this thing going to be a PITA or what ? an oil reset seems simple enough. but will a code come up say in 45k or whatever that says "change plugs" and can a do-it yourselfer change the plugs without having to go to the dealer to get a computer reset . does this computer thing start to stay on all the time just to get you to go back to the stealership ? please advise, thanks. any additional advice on maintenance would be greatly appreciated.

BigJimZ28 · 04-09-07, 07:31

I know the Honda ATF is a must use

mixxmstrmike · 04-10-07, 10:14

Second that on the Honda ATF.

Sorry... forgot to add that I also use Honda Differential Oil as well on our Pilot. This will probably not apply to you situation, however.

mikebai1990 · 04-10-07, 10:39

We have a '93 Acura Vigor, I and I use non-Honda OEM fluids for everything EXCEPT for the ATF. On the Vigor forums, everybody says that the genuine ATF offers significantly better performance (smoother shifting, downshifting, etc..). Coolant I use Prestone, brake fluid I think Castrol, and Pennzoil for engine oil. The power steering fluid I haven't touched yet.

Macruz19 · 04-10-07, 11:31

I usually stick with Honda fluids. For example, some use Prestone or other brands for their coolant until they get the Honda fluids and replace them.

Usually, I get my services done at my Acura dealerships, and my tires done at Good Year. I don't really trust other shops and plus my car is under warranty.

My sister has an 06 Accord EX and takes her car to get her services done.

kompressornsc · 04-10-07, 11:42

For 'major' fluids, I stick with what Honda recommends (although I do use Mobil 1 instead of Dino Oil). But for Tranny, coolant, brakes, I would use what was recommended. I think the main issue is what the seals are made of. When I had my MB, a lot of people had a problem becasue they were putting power steering fluid in the power steering. Big no-no in an MB. Eats the seals and leaks. They take hydraulic fluid.
The MM isn't too bad. It just gets annoying that you have to reset it every time you start the car when you get the 'due soon' message. I just went 500+ miles over my B1 in my Ridgeline and had to listen to that stupid little chime for close to 1000 miles.
And yes, somehow the MM does really monitor the oil. First couple of changes, the MM let me go about 4,500 miles on dino oil. Then I switched to Mobil 1 and the MM now goes off about every 8,000 miles.

Just02 · 04-10-07, 05:34

Use all Honda fluids except for the engine oil, and maybe the brake fluid. For the engine oil, I'd use a fully synthetic formula.

I haven't heard about many issues with the automatic transmission on the 7th gen Accords, especially after the MMC. However, I'd make it a habit to change the transmission oil every third oil change (or every 9,000 to 10,000 miles, and do it twice... remember, drain and refil, don't flush a Honda ATM!) If you do it yourself, it's dirt cheap (easy, too) and it helps with your cars longevity.

Just follow the manual and if you need help, there are quite a few user forums for help. vtec.net, v6performance.net, driveaccord.net, etc.

Happy driving to your son!

beefy z · 04-10-07, 07:00

The MM isn't too bad. It just gets annoying that you have to reset it every time you start the car when you get the 'due soon' message

I think i missed that. can the OWNER reset the maintenance minder for all the messages or do you have to take it back to the dealer. i know you can reset the oil; no problem there as i normally change oil/filter every 3k anyway. the reason i'm makina big deal about this is because it reminds me of that similar "check engine" light that always seemed to come on with chrysler vehicles. once on, the car couldn't pass inspection in my state. guys i know had it back to the dealers on numerous ocassions and nothing was ever found, except a $75 diagnostics charge. so from what i understand , this maintenance minder IS NOT similar to a "check engine" warning. and again, owners can reset the maintenance minder ?