Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

Yep, just bought a 2003 Honda Civic, and it has relatively high mileage. I know Civics can last for well over 300,000 if they're taken care of properly, so what are some tips you'd give me to achieve that? What kind of oil to use, any other additives or fluids you'd recommend, what kind of maintenance to perform when, etc.

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

Use the proper grade of oil for the car (doesn't matte what brand), do regular maintenance as described in the owners manual and don't put additives of any kind in your engine.

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

Timing belt asap.

Honestly if you just dropped the cash on the car, you already made a decision to refurbish it.

I did as well.

Bust a band on your cash roll and get that timing belt, water pump, tensioner, tensioner bolt, alternator belt, ps belt, new starter, alternator, air filter, fuel injectors, evap filter, spark plugs, and so on. Get it done.

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

I didn't go that extreme :shrug: , but I did do Head gasket kit, water pump, timing belt, timing belt tensioner, timing belt, radiator, thermostat, and rad cap. Car runs seriously like new. Now i'm fixing the front bumper, fender and hood they need new paint :/

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

Not sure 7th gen Civics last 300K miles without at least 2 head gasket jobs, and maybe a transmission job as well.

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

wow

A few drain and fills of the tranny is probably a good idea.

OP, did the previous owner give you service records? When was the last time the timing belt was done? Timing belt is a good start for inquiry. Buy a service manual, they are cheap. If you have no maintenance history start going thru all the maintenance items listed in the front. Don't just blindly start replacing shit.

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

u cant with 7th gen civics.

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

Up to a 96 Civic you probably can easily. What gen is that?

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

i dont agree with that.....

my 2005 is at 220,000 with no tranny or head gasket problems....runs and shifts like new....in my opinion, the lifespan of the head gasket and tranny are determined by how the vehicle is treated and driven....my car rarely ever sees RPM's over 3,000.....just sayin

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

VTECH doesn't even kick in at that rpm range y buy the si if u can't hit vtech w/o breaking sumfin. 7th gen are 2001 to 2005. I think the strongest motor honda made was the SiR 6th gen. Yea pretty much u gotta baby the 7th gens, vtech at your own risk lol. Still a great car imo.

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

Not revving your car properly can be more damaging than revving it too much. There is a fine line you have to be in for the car to be healthy. Revving 1500 going uphill trying to accelerate is causing the engine to work very hard if you know what I mean. These engines are desgined for higher RPMs just look at what you pull going 60 MPH on the highway. Also, if you keep your revs too low you build up carbon at a higher rate because things just don't flow as smoothly.

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

You rarely go over 3000? Do you "Prius" your car at 65 mph down the interstate? :roflmao:

I'm easily doing over 3000 rpm at 75 mph just keeping up with traffic.

With 3 passengers in the car it's almost impossible not to hit 4000 rpm before shifting while merging into faster traffic.

I do agree that keeping below 3000 will most definitely extend HG life. I just find it difficult to drive like that.

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

i said rarely....obviously their are exceptions....getting onto the highway, passing, etc etc....i was more talking about "light to light" city driving

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

not sure what tranny you have, but im only at 2700-2800 RPMs at 75MPH

Re: Just got a 2003 Honda Civic with 176,000 miles, how can I keep it going?
 

This is all correct. This is stock numbers; increase this it helps HP (hp@rpm)127 @ 6300Torque (lb.ft@rpm)114 @ 4800 more power thru-out the range. Engine runs more efficient with some bolt on mods.