A recent article in the July/August issue of AARP Magazine inspired this post. The article, titled, A Keeper is Cheaper, reminds us of the importance of automotive longevity. In this time of economic uncertainty, a new car with an exorbitant car payment is just not feasible for everyone. In many cases, it is cheaper and more practical to keep your Honda (or any vehicle) running smoothly by simply following these preventative tips:
Oil Changes - Bring your Honda in for an oil change about every 3,000 miles.
Flush Fluids - Have all fluids including transmission, brake, and antifreeze flushed and changed every 30,000 miles.
Tune-ups - For Hondas starting at 2000 and newer, a tune-up, which includes a spark plug change, should be done every 90,000 miles. For Hondas older than 2000, the tune-up would entail a new distributor cap, rotor, and spark plugs.
Belts and Hoses - While your Honda is in the shop for maintenance, be sure to ask if any hoses or belts are showing signs of wear. This would be the perfect time to catch a worn belt or hose before it breaks on the road!
According to the author of the AARP article, the median age of passenger cars in the US is now at an all-time high - 9.4 years. To that end, simple awareness and maintenance can keep your Honda running until you are ready and prepared to take on a car payment. And if you just purchased a new Honda, be sure to follow the maintenance schedule to ensure longevity!
Be sure to call The Import Shop today to schedule your Honda maintenance at (913) 677-2176.
Make The Import Shop Your Honda Shop!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Is It Time For a Timing Belt?
Many of you have heard the term - Timing Belt, but may wonder what it means and why it's important.
For Hondas (or any make of vehicle), the timing belt is an integral part of the engine - it controls the timing of the engine's valves. The timing belt itself is a belt with teeth that connect the crankshaft to the camshaft. By doing so, it controls the opening and closing of the valves. When a timing belt is functioning properly, it keeps the vehicle running at the correct timing. When a timing belt breaks, timing is out of sync. This can lead to bent valves and pistons and cause irreparable engine damage.
Since the timing belt is not easily seen when looking under the hood, manufacturers have set intervals or schedules for regular timing belt replacement.
If you own a Honda, here is the recommended mileage schedule for timing belt replacement:
4 Cylinder Hondas
Late 80's - 90,000 miles
1990-1993 - 90,000 miles
1994-1997 - 105,000 miles
1998-2003 - 105,000 miles
2004-2009 - 105,000 miles
V6 Honda Engines - 105,000 miles
What if you're unsure when your timing belt was last changed? Some possible symptoms of a worn timing belt includes loss of power, a rattling noise from the front, and backfire. We encourage everyone to keep careful records of timing belt and other maintenance repairs.
The Import Shop of Merriam, KS offers a timing belt package - a new timing belt, water pump, and change of outer belts. While the water pump (located in the same area as a timing belt) may still be functioning at the time of a timing belt change, the labor will be equally long if the water pump needs to be replaced shortly after. By changing everything at once, you save much money in labor!
When shopping for a used Honda, The Import Shop also recommends asking the owner when the timing belt was last changed.
Call The Import Shop today and make an appointment at (913) 677-2176.
Make The Import Shop Your Honda Shop!
For Hondas (or any make of vehicle), the timing belt is an integral part of the engine - it controls the timing of the engine's valves. The timing belt itself is a belt with teeth that connect the crankshaft to the camshaft. By doing so, it controls the opening and closing of the valves. When a timing belt is functioning properly, it keeps the vehicle running at the correct timing. When a timing belt breaks, timing is out of sync. This can lead to bent valves and pistons and cause irreparable engine damage.
Since the timing belt is not easily seen when looking under the hood, manufacturers have set intervals or schedules for regular timing belt replacement.
If you own a Honda, here is the recommended mileage schedule for timing belt replacement:
4 Cylinder Hondas
Late 80's - 90,000 miles
1990-1993 - 90,000 miles
1994-1997 - 105,000 miles
1998-2003 - 105,000 miles
2004-2009 - 105,000 miles
V6 Honda Engines - 105,000 miles
What if you're unsure when your timing belt was last changed? Some possible symptoms of a worn timing belt includes loss of power, a rattling noise from the front, and backfire. We encourage everyone to keep careful records of timing belt and other maintenance repairs.
The Import Shop of Merriam, KS offers a timing belt package - a new timing belt, water pump, and change of outer belts. While the water pump (located in the same area as a timing belt) may still be functioning at the time of a timing belt change, the labor will be equally long if the water pump needs to be replaced shortly after. By changing everything at once, you save much money in labor!
When shopping for a used Honda, The Import Shop also recommends asking the owner when the timing belt was last changed.
Call The Import Shop today and make an appointment at (913) 677-2176.
Make The Import Shop Your Honda Shop!
Welcome!
Welcome to The Import Shop Blog of Merriam, KS! Periodically, we will feature an automotive topic, repair and service tips, and try to address Honda repair issues and the importance of preventative maintenance.
These days, it's even more vital to prolong the life of your Honda. Often times, when a problem is ignored, it snowballs into a more costly venture down the road.
The Import Shop, located at 6900 Antioch in Merriam, KS, wants to take the mystery out of Honda service! And most importantly, make the Honda owner aware of proactive measures to keep your Honda running smooth and for many years to come!
Call The Import Shop today at (913) 677-2176.
Make The Import Shop Your Honda Shop!
These days, it's even more vital to prolong the life of your Honda. Often times, when a problem is ignored, it snowballs into a more costly venture down the road.
The Import Shop, located at 6900 Antioch in Merriam, KS, wants to take the mystery out of Honda service! And most importantly, make the Honda owner aware of proactive measures to keep your Honda running smooth and for many years to come!
Call The Import Shop today at (913) 677-2176.
Make The Import Shop Your Honda Shop!
Friday, March 20, 2009
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