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My car is "due" for a 60K mile check. 2003 Honda Civic, manual transmission.
I know these kind of checks can just be holes you throw your money into, so I don't want to go to a dealer and say "give me my 60k mile check up!". I haven't found a good mechanic in the area, so whether I go to a dealer or a shop, I want to know exactly what my car needs to have done. I've tried looking online and at my manual, but I just cannot understand what it is telling me to do.
I get my oil changed every 3k-5k miles. This includes checking my fluids, belts, parking brake, clutch, horn, wipers, tires, etc. The only thing they actually "do" is change the oil, top off the wiper fluid, and I think the radiator fluid.
The last time I got a big check was 30K. They changed my oil filter, motor oil, air filter, a/c filter, coolant, brake fluids, put in fuel additive, did a tire rotate, and replaced the front brakes. They also changed some other fluids, but I can't read what they wrote. It looks like says "quart atf fluids", for $15, but that doesn't sound familiar!
I think I need the brake fluid changed again, along with the coolant (my last oil change said I needed to look into that). I also am in need of another oil change. Other than that, I am pretty clueless as to what my car needs at this time. Transmission fluid? Change any belts? Replace air cleaner element? Air filter again? Brakes and/or brake fluid? Change spark plugs? What did I forgot? Anything specific to a manual transmission?
My car runs really well. The only "off" thing I have is a little noise right next to my key when I am about to turn the car on. It sounds like a...screetchy, clicky noise. I dunno.
I drive in normal conditions, if that helps. Can you help me so I don't get ripped off?
I do have the manual, but what it shows is confusing. It doesn't say something like "coolant-every 20k. Transmission fluid-every 50k" and so on. It has a chart with miles, months, things to do, and dots. Some dots are in the second column of 12 months, some in every column of months, some in 36 months but not 60k miles....do you get the idea? Kind of confusing.
I don't want to call the dealer because they want my money. They already tried to sell me $300 worth of stuff I didn't need, so that is why I wanted to ask the general public.
edited to add: thank you little that website is very helpful!
I do have the manual, but what it shows is confusing. It doesn't say something like "coolant-every 20k. Transmission fluid-every 50k" and so on. It has a chart with miles, months, things to do, and dots. Some dots are in the second column of 12 months, some in every column of months, some in 36 months but not 60k miles....do you get the idea? Kind of confusing.
I don't want to call the dealer because they want my money. They already tried to sell me $300 worth of stuff I didn't need, so that is why I wanted to ask the general public.
edited to add: thank you little that website is very helpful!
If your Owner's manual is too confusing, refer to Honda's website, under the "Owner's link", there should be a maintenance schedule for your model. You'll have to create an account, then you can find all kinds of information about your car. Here's the link, Check it out.https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/login.asp?brand=honda
I recommend that every person who has a car should spend the extra 20 bucks or less for a service manual. In it you will find the guides for service and pictures showing the details involved in making small to large repairs many of which the average person can do. It also gives you some knowledge about how your car works and makes dealing with a mechanic less confusing. Mechanics are not so quick to lie to a customer who appears to know a little about his car.
I do have the manual, but what it shows is confusing. It doesn't say something like "coolant-every 20k. Transmission fluid-every 50k" and so on. It has a chart with miles, months, things to do, and dots. Some dots are in the second column of 12 months, some in every column of months, some in 36 months but not 60k miles....do you get the idea? Kind of confusing.
I don't want to call the dealer because they want my money. They already tried to sell me $300 worth of stuff I didn't need, so that is why I wanted to ask the general public.
edited to add: thank you little that website is very helpful!
Maintenance/ Service Manuals today suck. My Toyota manual is equally confusing. What are these manufacturers thinking?
My Maintenance Manual for my 92 Accord is simple and straightforward.
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that website is very helpful!
