Hey guys,

I'm nearing 30k miles in about 900 miles. I was wondering as far as tuning up the car and everything where is the best place to go? Secondly what are the thing's I should be getting done? Alignments, all fluids topped of and changed. Anything else? If someone could recommend a place I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!
Kevin

 

Alignment should have been done long ago as well as the diff fluid change(even though the manual says 30k for the diff fluid).

Stock plugs are still good. Brake fluid should be changed a minimum of every three years. Valve adjustment is not necessary until 105k,or when it becomes very noisy.

You can do all the necessary things in a standard home garage.

 

if u need a shop, i'd recommend ptuning in manassas

 

 

The only time you should bother with an alignment is if you want to change the settings or your tires are wearing in ways you didn't expect. You can drive a car from cradle to grave and never have a single alignment.

I'll disagree with Skip a bit on some things, though. I suggest a valve adjustment if you wish to do it yourself... paying Honda to do it so soon is similar to getting raped without ever shaking your booty. Honda has the stock settings a bit on the loose side, so tightening it up can help. Also, I would suggest two years on brake fluid, but that's more personal taste.

I highly suggest replacing the clutch fluid. The stock stuff only seems to last a year or two before becoming gunked up, as many have found out. More personal taste, but I try to change the tranny and diff fluid every 30-40k. If you beat on your car, this is probably wise... if you granny it everywhere, you could easily get away with 50k+ before desiring a change.

A word to the wise... things will be MUCH cheaper if you learn how to do them yourself. Most maintenance stuff is fairly easy (though messy), so it may be worth your while to attend a tech session and learn how.

 

Dan, it's a known fact that many of the cars came delivered with out-of-spec alignments. Alignments aren't mileage things... they're based on needs or excessive tire wear.

The stuff I posted was based on the manual(valve adj, diff, brake fluid, etc). The book says to change the diff at 30k. Doing it after 30k could void a warranty. The first diff fluid change should be at 15k according to the site gurus. I failed and went by the book the first time. I change my tranny fluid every other time I change the diff.

Valve adjustments set to OEM minimums may give gains if yours are loose. The gain may or may not be felt or heard. As Dan said, the problem lies in the lack of integrity of automotive shops. It's one thing to be within specs(wide range) and another to be spec'd to the minimums.

On the S2000, I change it(brake fluid) 2-3 times a year. On my Contour, I've owned the thing longer than the S and have never touched it. Another point might be to inspect all boots for dry-rot. Add Shin-Etsu grease to all seals(doors, top, windshield frame).

I agree with Dan- you can save a fair amount of loot doing your own maintenance. But if the car is an '02 and you're just now hitting 30k, you probably don't drive it enough to want to do the maintenance yourself. In that case, find a shop you trust or pay one of us.

 

I do it all myself, but how would one go about proving such a thing?

I've saved proof of purchase from when I bought the fluids I used, and from buying new washers, is that enough should I need warranty work at some point?

 

Save the receipts and write the mileage down on them. The only time you'll need them is in a court case should a dealer refuse to warranty something.

 

you need to replace the vtec fluid....

















jk
yea, skip and dan have all the points covered. but, i change my diff and tranny fluid every 15k. i change my oil every 5k miles. and i am about to change my brake fluid.

 

I haven't changed my oil.... ever. It's a Honda. It's supposed to last forever.