devcivic87

New to the forum I usually search for answers instead of posting new threads but figured I would post one anyway, since I am looking for more specific answers. My 06 Civic Hybrid just hit 63,000, and I am wondering what type of maintenance you would recommend, and if you think it would be ok for me (ok ok not me, my fiance!!) to do it at home. We talked to the dealership and they said it'd be like $400 to do this whole laundry list of things, but I take really good care of my car so I dont think I would need to do every little thing. I use synthetic oil, we do the oil change in the garage, thanks to a super handy post on here! I'm not hard on the brakes though I probably should check them, theyre a little squeeky... I definitely dont have $400 to spend right now, so what are the small things that are important that I should really consider doing? Thanks in advance!

ezone

Read your owners manual.
Maintenance minder.
Make a list of what has already been done and when it was done.
See what is coming up to be done soon.
Compare lists.
Do whatever hasn't been done yet.


There isn't much.
Oil changes
Trans fluid- I would try to do every 30k
Air filter and Cabin filter
Brake fluid every 3 years
Care for the tires if needed-maybe rotate, maybe balance, maybe alignment.
Inspect the rest of the car as necessary.

devcivic87

I mustve sounded like a ding-dong, I should have mentioned I dont have a manual. Lets just say thats not the only thing the dealership forgot to mention when I bought the car...

Definitely seems like all of those are doable.. except for the cabin filter. Is this something I should have a body shop do? I am afraid the plastic will scratch easily

ezone

Easy. The Honda site.
http://automobiles.honda.com/informa...resources.aspx

Google.
This should be real similar
http://www.filestube.com/clKtdJBVj2P...ic-Manual.html
http://www.filestube.com/5d5d5a75d4c8814c03eb/go.html

Or google Honda maintenance minder.


The cabin filter is super easy. Open the glovebox. Empty it. Squeeze the sides in. Open the glovebox farther and let it drop. The filter tray is right behind it, opens like a drawer. Should be obvious.

devcivic87

Sweet!! Thank you!

ezone

Oh crap. I didn't search for a Hybrid manual. You might have to google for yourself or just order one from the Honda site.

devcivic87

I think I will order one. Theyre pricey but I definitely need to have one on me. No manuals, no tire iron, and car had been in a wreck which they neglected to tell me. Go figure!

devcivic87

BTW just YouTube'd the cabin filter... lol piece of cake! Im sorry I even asked

ezone

This is stuff you (or someone) should have noticed before you bought it.
A pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic you trust can be quite valuable. Can give you bargaining power at the time of dealing, or save you a headache altogether.


Might as well check and see if it even needs the filter yet before buying one.

devcivic87

First-ever car purchase on my own, you live and you learn. I bought it in 2009 and havent replaced the filter (either one) so I am sure they would benefit from a swap. My allergies will thank me for changing the cabin one anyways

ezone

And use the correct factory fluids. I don't care if they are pricey.

The trans is simply drain and fill.
A manual trans is tricky to fill.
If it is a CVT it gets special CVT fluid.

devcivic87

Good to know, I will, thank you. I found the PDF manual for my car, the tranny fluid looks like a piece of cake. I will get Honda brand, the guy at the dealership quoted me $8.25 per bottle (said it would take 3)