Hi folks,

I bought a used 2003 B/B @ 48K back in March. I'm now at 55K and of course still loving every minute of it. I've had enough time now to get to know some of the issues with this car. What I need now is expert/experienced advice.

When I bought the car, it was from CarMax, and they did a great job cleaning it up. However, I doubt they did anything mechanical to it.

After a flirtation with Euro alignment, (and now finally back to American) it constantly drifts ever-so-slightly to the right. I can't seem to fix this via regular alignment.

Also, my gas mileage is always between 19 and 23. I know this isn't terrible, but even on all-highway tanks, holding 80mph on 93 Sunoco gas, I only get about 22mpg. I've heard of others easily pulling closer to 30. What gives?

I have changed the oil twice since I bought it (Mobil 1 Synth 5w30) and I flushed and refilled the transmission fluid (Syncromesh) and diff fluid (OEM)

Other than my alignment fiasco, and new tires all around (Falken fronts matched to Bridgestone Potensa Pole Positions in the rear) I have done nothing to the car.

Questions:
1. At this age, and considering I am not the only owner, is there anything else I should do to the vehicle as a matter of preventative maintenance?
2. Plugs, wires, valve timings?
3. Coil packs?
4. Suspension components? (bushings?)
5. Shocks?
6. Clutch? (Oh God I hope not, it does lock pretty high in the arc)

Thanks for your experience!

P.s. I have done some minor adjustments:
Modifry bracket, airbag warning covers, glovebox org, and top elastic

 

post your alignment specs and check your tire pressures.

 

Here are the latest alignment specs, done on a fairly modern system at the local Honda dealer:

Front:

Camber: -0.57 (L) | -0.53

 

what fluid are you using in the diff? i think you posted above that you are using OEM. there is no OEM fluid for our differentials. the oem fluid has a friction modifier that will wreak havoc on our diffs. please change it out ASAP if you did use something with a "LSD additive" or any kind of friction enhancing fluid.

 

Sorry, brainfart. I chose Mobil 1 Synthetic diff oil. I think it's the 75W-90, but I don't remember exactly now.

 

The only thing you listed thats worthwhile at 55k is a valve adjustment.. 2 hours of labor at a mechanic or in your driveway if you have the tools (it's really simple). That could be affecting your gas mileage. A steady 80mph should get you close to 30mph as you know.

 

Check your air filter. I got a little bit of bump in mpg going from a dirty OEM to a new one.

Your alignment still looks like European spec. But the drifting to the right may have more to do with the road than your car. Highways are banked to the right slightly for runoff so letting go of your steering wheel on a straight stretch will cause you to steer slightly to the right (although this is very slight). Tire pressure may have somethign to do with it as well.

 

Try getting a CAI? That is the only thing that helped with my MPG; although others get better than I do stock .

 

Thanks for the responses, gentlemen! I will look into Cold Air Intakes, and also how I could do the valve adjustment myself. Right now I am a newbie on both topics.

I'm surprised you all don't think it's time for a regular tune up (plugs, wires)? Maybe I'm just used to American cars

 

must be!.. plugs don't show up in the maintenance schedule until 105,000 miles.. and there's really no reason to do em much before that.. and we don't have wires!