Hi, I have a quick question. My weekend-only, non-tracked, stock, non-raced S2K is coming up on 3 years. I've changed oil on a regular basis, but wondering what things outside of what is in the manual might be suggested.

I don't drive car too hard, it's driven in SoCal, so never too hot, or too cool. Car is garaged almost all the time.

Car has 11,000 miles and is 3 years old now.

What maintenance do you suggest on the car, this is what I'm thinking:
--Switch oil to Mobil 1
--Replace brake fluid
--Replace rear diff oil (I don't think they did this at 2yrs service)
--Replace air & dust/pollen filter
--Normal checks: brakes, boots, belts, etc

The manual makes no mention (that I saw) of clutch fluid replacement, coolant, transmission oil, or any other mechanical engine adjustments. And the dealer I use seems a little cagy on the whole thing, and I question what they really do on a "major" service.

Thanks, planning on keeping the car for a while as my weekend driver and want to keep it running like new.

Thanks

 

bump... same question except mine has 15,000 miles in houston, should i just follow the dealership regular preventive maintainace schedule or is there anything else we should do?

 

It is safe to switch to a full synthetic motor oil anytime after 10k miles. This involved seating of the rings. Mobil1 10w30 is a very popular choice (and the one I use). Be prepared to see a little increased consumption. Keep an eye on it as each motor acts differently.

Clutch fluid should be done every year or two at most and is not covered in the owner's manual. You use the same fluid type as the brakes i.e. Castrol SynPower dot3/4 "ABS" brake fluid, or ATE Super Blue, or Motul RBF600, or even OEM. 1 quart.

Coolant is a 10 year service interval on your model year so you are fine.

Diff fluid should be done every 15k. However the first time it should be done sooner to get out the bits from break-in. Mobil1 75w90, LE-1605(90w), Redline 75w90. 1 quart.

Tranny fluid is scheduled for 30k. If it is feeling a bit notchy then go ahead and do it early. The new OEM formula is getting better revues than the previous version. I use Redline MTL, GMFMSM is popular but doesn't last. 2 quarts.

Treat your rubber seals (CV boots, steering boots, etc) with silicone spray.

-Hockey

 

I wouldn't switch to a synthetic oil that is notorious for increasing consumption. But that's just me. I think there are plenty of great choices out there besides M1. And since you state that you drive the car easy and don't do track days, you can probably get away with any oil you want (even a good, brand name, non-synthetic). While I won't be in the popular majority for telling you to avoid M1, I would recommended Pennzoil Platinum or Castrol Syntec. 5w30 or 10w30 are fine, try those and check your consumption.

Your brake and clutch fluid are the same. Again, no track days for your car, so go to Wal-Mart and buy a large container of synthetic DOT3 brake fluid. Gravity Bleed your brakes and clutch, do it yearly. Cost of fluid is ~$4 and is money well spent. While you're down there, think about removing the CDV.

Try the new Honda MTF for your transmission. Change it yearly or as necessary. Again, it's cheap, you'll need 2qts. My dealer charges me $8.xx. With a cost like that, you can change it every time you change your oil if you wanted to.

Differential fluid is an controversial as choosing a motor oil. IMHO, try to get a heavier weight differential oil. Amsoil 75w110 or LE1605 would be the top picks and they come well recommended from this site. If it was my car, I'd order a couple quarts of LE1605. Change the differential fluid once and do it again in three months, again using the same fluid. Then you shouldn't have to touch it for a few years (unless you just like to change it or if your driving style gets more aggressive).

Replace air filter.

Replace pollen filter.

 

just curious, when say recommended intervals of 15k for diff and 30k for tranny are provided. does it matter if these intervals aren't met in 2-3 years?

for example, it takes one to hit 15k in 4 years. would i change the diff fluid once the 15k is reached or should i change it sooner (i.e. after year 2) since the fluids have been in the car for a prolonged period of time

 

Mine is an '05 that I switched to M1 @ 1500 miles. It does not burn oil in fact I have never added oil between changes which I do once a year. Did the tranny, dif , brakes and clutch @ 2 yrs. All Honda juice except Amsoil in the pumpkin. Sitting on 10,000k!

 

f22c's sure don't burn oil like ap1's. I go through a an entire change interval 3k miles and havn't burned a single X off the oil reader ever. FYI, I've used both Mobil 1 and Castrol Syntec with the same results.

I've changed tranny fluid 3 times in 22k miles and diff fluid 2x. Can't do it too much, especially for the price of honda MTF and 1 bottle of le607/le1605.

you don't really need to change brake fluid or clutch fluid if you drive your car weekend only on nice days. Cabin filter might be a good idea though.

 

No those time intervals aren't so rediculous that I wouldn't worry about changing them any sooner. By the way, I pulled those intervals from my owners manual (MY00) and the "Severe Conditions" schedule. Honda has extended those numbers in subsequent years but I feel they apply to my situation and yours as well.

The only items I would change strictly on time factor are brake/clutch fluids, coolant, and possibly motor oil (twice per year minimum). Brake fluid is hydroscopic = meaning it pulls moisture from the atmosphere over time. Doesn't matter what you do, it still absorbs the moisture and degrades performance. Also never save a half used bottle for the next time. Once opened, it is no good. The rest can still be mileage driven, so to speak.

-Hockey