My S2K oil life indicator 15% is on today. I bought this car used 3 weeks ago from a dealer who said the car had already undergone all different oil and fluid change and multi point inspection. I pop up the hood and check the dipstick. The oil is clear yellowish in color which is a good sign. Can I safely assume that the indicator reset was forgotten?

 

They probably didn't know how to reset it, if you aren't comfortable just get the fluids changed.

 

I change the oil (and other fluids) on my own schedule. I let the maintenance minder light do its thing without me doing a pre-emptive clearing when I do actually change fluids or perform some maintenance. When it comes on, lets say for a low % of oil life remaining, I just want to check the codes to be sure something else I forgot about is up for attention. Then I just clear the light.

In a years time, you may want to do everything to establish a baseline. Was the dealer a Honda dealer? If not, I would change everything out sooner than later. A non-Honda dealer (and some horrible stories about Honda dealers too) may very well have put incorrect fluids in the car. Usual places for error are differential fluid, and adding power steering fluid someplace.

 

just change oil/filter, diff, and tranny. So little money for such expensive important parts.

 

For a hundred bucks or less and your labor you'll feel much better doing a complete lubrication change and resetting the Maintenance Minder. I've had my '06 for 3 summers and the MM only came on at the end of last season. Well in advance of the book maintenance schedule of 7500 miles (closer to 6000 as recall) so the little computer that drives this seems to be working as it should. You can download the 2005 manual from (somewhere on-line). It has the maintenance schedule printed in it. Same engine as the MM cars.

You'll also feel better with a full synthetic engine oil (everyone has their favorite brand). 10W30 is the spec. The exact range is not important. 0W will give better lubrication at startup so don't fear 0W30, it is not "too thin." 5W40 is the Honda spec for cold temperatures for some reason but lubricates fine in normal temperature ranges. Your choice.

If the selling dealer/party didn't change the engine coolant and hydraulic fluids you may want to do these as well as they're time, not mileage based like the drive train.

My gearbox and differential choices are below. BEWARE: Honda differential oil will kill your differential. Our differentials require SAE 90 GL5 hypoid gear oil. The SAE spec has changed since our cars were new and some recommend SAE 110 gear oil. My choice on the right:



-- Chuck

 

thanks

 

I might add that by doing it yourself the savings can be significant. I asked one dealer, for fun, what the charge was to do the diff and trans. $180 EACH!
$360 total! I was amazed.

Buy quality oil, be sure you raise and jack stand your car correctly and you will have fun and save money to boot.

 

Whoa! I haven't had a dealer change any fluids in many decades. I think the last time was when the old Acura was brand new. And I had free change privileges, for a year or two. Sure is $$$ for undoing and redoing a drain bolt.

 

I think I found it for under $20 somewhere but it's only $25 direct from LE Lubricants. Takes less than one bottle. Looks like they changed the bottle since I bought my last quart.

Item # 1605-QUART, Duolec® Vari-Purpose Gear Lubricant 1605 On Lubrication Engineers, Inc.

-- Chuck

 

Be sure to use the genuine Honda 15400-PCX-004 oil filter. All Honda filters seem to blue, check the part number. Torque properly.

-- Chuck