honda with high mileage

[Julian Carrillo]

So I’m new to the forums but I have been watching a lot of EricTheCarGuy videos lately. Our family has this 2008 Honda Accord i4 with about 220,000 miles (bought new from the dealer). It still runs fine; no funky engine noises, no mechanical problems only wear and tear on the outside and inside that comes from daily driving it 8 years. From about the start of its life to about 200,000, the car was driven on the highway/freeway 140 miles, 6 days of the week (now it’s in the city driving about 100 a week). This car isn’t really driven hard unless I’m the one who is driving.

During this time it has had oil changes (over 5,000 mile intervals), couple of air filters, 2 cabin air filters, couple sets of tires and one set of spark plugs. That’s it. I know in the car manual it asks for coolant flush, transmission changes and other stuff at certain miles but I don’t know where it is. I would like to prevent damage to vital components but then again if it aint broke dont fix. So I don’t know what to do, I would like to get another opinion or other experiences from anyone else.

I’m not going to lie, I really do not like taking my car to a shop or have the dealer work on it. Although there are some really good shops out there, I really cant afford to pay for the services. I know there are some things that you just can’t do because lack of skill or tools or even help.

Thank you
and I enjoy learning from the videos

Topic

[ed k]

if it was my own personal car i would change the coolant and plugs just to be safe; coolant can become acidic with age and can eat engine parts

the transmission i would leave as is, if the fluid hasnt been changed before, changing it now could have negative results

also i would get all 4 corners off the ground on jack stands or a lift and inspect the front/rear suspension and steering componets for any wear as well as the brakes

[DEVEN PRASAD]

If its a Automatic Honda; Do Not Flush the fluid, but do a drain & fill with Genuine Honda Fluid (ATF-DW1)

If it is a Manual Honda, I would have it changed with Genuine Honda Fluid (Honda MTF, or GM Syncromesh (if not availible)

Spark Plugs are cheap, I would do them.

Coolant…. Use Either Genuine Honda Type 2 Coolant, or Silicate Free Global Coolant. Any other type of coolant, can and will cause damage to your water pump.

[Ingvar]

Do not change the ATF, huh?? That’s for Honda, known for having rather crappy automatic transmissions?
OP< here's suggestion. You are LUCKY that car is still running on the original ATF. Automatic transmission fluid. For what it is, Hondas need to have ATF changed yearly. Way ahead of Honda maintenance schedule. Manual transmission – not an issue. Automatic – yes.
So, find a buddy that will do ATF change for you. On any Honda I know of, it is super easy, as there is no filter to replace. You simply drain and refill. So finf someone with basic set of tools and skill. Find out total transmission volume. Likely to be 12 qrts and refill to be 4.
Let you buddy get her on ramps, drain and refill, drive for 15 minutes, drain and refill, drive for 15 minutes, drain and refill.
You just ABSOLUTELY SAFELY replaced entire ATF.
Be well. Should cost you 12 qrts of ATF and case of beer for the guy.

[zero]

[quote=”ukrkoz” post=133170]Do not change the ATF, huh?? [/quote]

I concur, huh?

Honda’s have a simple drain and fill service method. Depending on the exact transmission it should take somewhere around 3 liters. The entire contents will not drain in any realistic amount of time. The transmission dipstick should be within 6 inches of the battery, it should have a small yellow ring on the top. The fluid level is checked in park with the engine OFF and the fluid should be red. The drain plug is at the bottom of the trans facing the engine.

If you want to change the coolant, there’s a drain cock at the bottom of the rad. Which when opened should drain a majority of the coolant out. Spend the extra money and just get the genuine Honda stuff, it’s blue and premixed. Refer to the bleeding a cooling system video for fill procedures.

[DEVEN PRASAD]

Sorry, what i meant to say was do not do a flush, which is where a machine is hooked up and flushes the system.

A Fill and Drain is safe to do at any time and is reccomended…

I will change my old post to match.

[Hokiedad4]

You own the perfect car. Not too old, very reliable. Mileage is not nearly as important as how the car is driven and maintained, but there’s time to catch up. Fortunately, your engine has a timing chain, not belt, or you’d probably have a dead car by now.

I would do in this order:
1. Coolant flush (Xerex Asian)
2. ATF drain and fill with Honda AT fluid
3. Clean, lubricate brakes, replace pads if needed, and brake fluid bleed and fill
4. Replace spark plugs (NGK)
5. Power steering fluid drain and fill (Honda PSF or Autozone power steering fluid for Hondas)

There are all easy DIY tasks. You’ll spend a few weekends and maybe $150-200.

[Author]

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