You've invested your hard-earned money in your Honda car, truck, or SUV, and you rely on your vehicle to get you to work, run errands, tote the kids, and take occasional road trips. You want to protect that investment whether you purchased your vehicle new or used.
So, you want to do everything you can to keep your Honda running in tip-top shape for as long as possible. Fortunately, that's easier than you might think. To help, we had our maintenance experts advise on what steps you need to take to keep your Honda dependable today and for years to come. If you still have questions after reading this, please contact us, and one of our staff will be glad to help.
Will a Honda Run Forever?
Honda believes so, and we agree. The first cars mass-produced in the early 1900s had a five-year life expectancy. Today, that average has over doubled, and we can thank automobile manufacturers like Honda for the result. In fact, it isn't uncommon for Honda cars to run well for 15 to 20 years or more.
However, you can't ignore your Honda and expect it to run forever. And there'll be systems and parts that need maintenance and replacement. We recommend keeping up with routine maintenance and showing your Honda some love with regular washing, waxing, and cleaning, inside and out.
How Can I Keep My Car Running for Years?
Don't ignore the factory maintenance schedule. Honda manufactured your car with precision parts designed to perform indefinitely in some cases. However, Honda designed some parts to wear out and others that need routine care to protect them from damage and keep them operating at peak performance. Knowing what to change or maintain and when is crucial to the longevity of your Honda.
Oil Changes
We can't stress enough the impact oil changes have on your Honda. Engine oil protects your engine from the high heat of combustion and lubricates the moving parts. Your Honda engine uses oil specifically designed for the model to protect and lubricate it. Unfortunately, oil breaks down over time. The more you drive, the more heat affects your oil's viscosity, which affects your oil's ability to lubricate. As the oil breaks down, it becomes thinner and provides less lubrication and protection.
Your oil also collects contaminants left over from combustion. Over time, these deposits can harm your engine. Honda oil offers the best protection for your engine. So when you change your oil, ensure you use Genuine Honda motor oil to get the best lubrication and defense against wear.
Many Honda engines can go 5,000 miles or more between oil changes. We recommend checking your owner's manual for the correct frequency. In some circumstances, you should change your oil before the interval. For example, if you only drive 2,000 miles a year, your engine will still benefit from changing its oil. Time also breaks down the oil, lowering its viscosity. At a minimum, we suggest an oil change every year, even if you don't hit your interval.
Transmission Service
Your Honda's transmission contains a complicated series of gears that transfer the power generated by your engine into energy to turn your wheels. Much like the inside of your engine, your transmission needs oil to keep those gears lubricated and protected from high temperatures. Transmission fluid doesn't break down as quickly as engine oil, but it still wears out over time.
We recommend checking your transmission fluid every time you check your engine oil. Like engine oil, your transmission fluid will show signs of wear. Transmission fluid should be bright pink or red, but old oil may turn a muddy brown or even black color. Most Honda transmissions require a fluid replacement every 75,000 to 100,000 miles. Check your owner's manual for the exact interval.
Brake Service
At a minimum, you should have your brake system inspected every other oil change or around 10,000 to 12,000 miles. Some brake system parts, such as brake pads, were engineered to wear out. So you want to be sure you replace them on schedule. Waiting to replace your pads can damage your discs or rotors, costing much more to repair than a simple brake pad replacement.
Your brake system operates with a combination of hydraulic and mechanical parts. The brake fluid plays an important role in stopping your Honda safely and must maintain pressure to work properly. Old brake fluid can lose its ability to do the job, so have your brake fluid inspected and changed when necessary.
Eventually, even your rotors and discs will wear out, and that's okay. Regular inspections will reveal when to replace these critical parts. Other parts, such as the calipers and brake lines, can wear over time. Extreme heat can cause lines to crack and leak. Or the salt laid on the road in wintry weather can corrode your calipers and lines. Eventually, they break and need replacing.
Tune-Ups
Technically, tune-ups are a thing of the past. However, the idea of checking and replacing parts such as spark plugs, radiator hoses, and other components that wear out over time still exists. Fuel injectors become clogged, moisture can get into systems, and engine cooling systems can corrode over time. Having a qualified mechanic inspect and replace these parts will help your Honda run better and for longer.
Washing and Waxing
Of course, you want your Honda to run forever, but you also want it to look good. Washing and waxing your car will make it shine and protect it from fading, rust, and corrosion. We recommend getting a good undercarriage cleaning performed once a year, especially if you live in a cold climate where sand and salt are applied to the roads. Sand and salt will collect and eventually corrode your frame and body from below.
Can a Honda Last 20 Years?
If you take proper care of your Honda, there's no telling how long it will run, only how happy you'll be driving it. At Apple Honda of Hanover, we've streamlined the service process with our online service scheduling tool. A few clicks will reserve your day and time, and our technicians will handle the rest.
