Honda Accord (2003-2007) Maintenance and Repair

17172747677117

Comments

  • mamamia2mamamia2 Member Posts: 707
    I'm opening my Accord 2005 Service Book.

    There is no mention of replacing Transmission Fluid TILL 120,000 MILES OR 8 YEARS!....

    Isn't that interesting?

    Also, I wonder, since my wife drives no more than 5k a year, we now have about 15k and the car is almost 3 years old....

    Not using our dealer's service but our Shell station's mechanic, what kind of maintenance should I now perform?

    The book says to REPLACE THE BRAKE FLUID at 3 years, independent of mileage.

    WHAT ELSE?

    Thanks!
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    You can go to 120k miles on the fluid if you like, but you can bet they'll want to flush it by then. NEVER let anyone Power Flush your transmission. I have the 03 V6, which has had a recall on the transmission, so I'm probably being over protective by changing 3 quarts at 15k miles. If you have the 4cylinder, I would let it go to at least 30k miles. How much particles you find attached to the drain plug magnet, would be a good indication if you need to change it sooner or later the next time. The brake fluid change is a good idea. My fluid was pretty dirty at 3 years/42k miles. The owner's manual also gives an extended period of time before coolant changes, but I did that at 45k miles also. I simply refuse to wait until I have 120k miles to change the transmission fluid or the coolant. You can use your own discretion. If I paid someone else to do my maintenance, I probably wouldn't be so anal about it. ;)

    PS: Have you had the brake pads checked? The rear pads will probably wear early. I changed the rear pads at 52k miles, and I'm easy on brakes.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    No need to use synthetic. Just change the oil every 3K-5K miles.
    The engine would last for the life of the car.
    My 89 Accord had 213K miles when I gave it away two years
    ago. Last week, I asked if the car is still running.
    And it is (with original engine & tranny).
    Doing a same oil change interval & tranny fluid drain/fill inteval
    (30K, 45K, 60K, then every 2yrs thereafter) for my 03EXV6.
  • wds1wds1 Member Posts: 23
    I would like some input or advice on repairs for my 2006 Accord V-6 Accord. I just took the car to the service dept. today in Birmingham, AL (Hoover). I was told I needed a service before the car reached the 36000 mile mark and was out of warranty. The service was $277.00 and included oil change, rotation of tires, etc...I was later told I need four new tires (price quote - Michelin $798.00), new front brake pads and rear brake pads and rotors turned ($430.00). I was shocked. I was not expecting these kind of charges so soon. The service man told me the brake pads were guaranteed for life. I said, " what about the brake pads that are on there now?" He said, "that is Honda brake pads, we aren't Honda". I was confused because I was at a Honda dealership! :confuse: Any advice??
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    Grad you live around that area what do you think? Scheissters? If I were you I would go to another dealer for a second opinion. That seems like a reaming waiting to happen. If your gut is telling you something isn't right it isn't. Go to more than one dealer if you are able to. That is awfully high, to me, for the 36000 mark. Then again I didn't do anything to mine at 36000 because I got mine at 12 miles shy of 36k and they didn't say anything about it then. Eight months and 12k later I just did the 50 and it ran about $70. I guess it depends on the area too. Yes I did the 50k a little early. Then again I have an I4.

    Sorry I ramble. Get a second opinion.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    $277 should include at least oil change, tires rotation, ATF
    drain&fill, and front end alignment.

    The prices for new 4 Michs & brakes job are about right. But
    at 35K miles, it's too early for these two repairs unless you are
    an aggressive driver.
    You can do a penny test on four tires. For the brake pads,
    you can look through the wheel spokes to see if the pads
    wear out to the indicator yet.
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    Get the tires at discount tire and save $200. Get a second opinion on the brakes.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I've never heard one positive thing about Tameron Honda (the Hoover dealer) and would avoid it at all costs.

    I'd visit Serra Honda (in their brand new location near Limbaugh Toyota - Exit 120 off of I-59) or ride out to Roebuck to Brannon Honda (Exit 134, I believe). There's no need to do anything in particular before your warranty expires unless it is actual WARRANTY WORK.

    Get a second opinion, either at an independent mechanic, or another aforementioned dealer, if that makes you more comfortable. I have 30k on my car and spent $112 on the 30k mile service (air filter, cabin filter, oil-change, rotation, full-check of systems, others which I can't remember right now!) all at Serra Honda.
  • mamamia2mamamia2 Member Posts: 707
    I never trusted dealers. I always used our own Shell station guys. They can do the SAME things -- for a fraction of the price, and they will let you WATCH them doing it.
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    I have over 42k on my 06 I4 EX-L and I haven't come close to what they want to charge you. I'd be very surprised if your tires need replacing. Some folks have had issues with brakes but I know mine are fine at this point.

    I wonder how much they charge for brake pads that are "guaranteed for life."

    I'd steer clear of that dealer and follow thegrad's advice.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,560
    imo, i WOULD NEVER USE THE DEALER FOR TIRES, OR EVEN NORMAL BRAKE WORK. yOU WILL PAY WAY MORE, AND WILL NOT GET ANY BETTER (IF AS GOOD) WORK DONE.

    Oops, sorry on the caps lock...

    Find the best regarded local tire/brake place, and take it there for a free estimate. You might also want to switch to a diferent brand tire (the Michelins are OK, but very expensive for what you get. better choices are available). They can also look at your brakes

    And the only thing lifetime on a brake job is if they guarantee the pads. The labor, rotor work, etc. will still cost you, and if they are using the basic pads, they only go for about $20.

    Oh, if you do need brakes, see about upgrading to premium pads of some kind. The OEMs stink.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • grampy1grampy1 Member Posts: 140
    chucko3

    Can you describe the indicator check through the spokes for the brake pads? I didn't know that.
    Thanks
  • ezshift5ezshift5 Member Posts: 858
    chucko3

    Can you describe the indicator check through the spokes for the brake pads? I didn't know that.
    Thanks


    .........that makes two of us. Chucko, you've got the floor.

    best, ez..
  • corkscrewcorkscrew Member Posts: 254
    Here is a pic of the brake pads. Notice the square tab at the bottom of three facing right, that is the wear indicator. You will hear a squeal when the pads are worn down to the wear indicators.
    http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/629073629.html
    Regards
    Corkscrew
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    A picture is worth a thousand words. The square tabs are the wear indicators.
    For the front pads, you might need to steer the wheels at the angle to look at.
    If the pads are about 1/8 of an inch thickness (before hitting the indicator), you can
    feel a weak braking & a slight vibration at the front brakes @ 70 mph.
    Then time to replace the pads.

    P.S. You can only look at the outer pads, not the inner pads. I assume they wear evenly
    or a bit more.
  • corkscrewcorkscrew Member Posts: 254
    Inner pads tend to wear out faster than outer pads. We attended a new owners clinic last June and the service manager showed us a rotor and a worn out pad. The pad was worn out on an angle, with no pad on the indicator side and 1/2 of the pad left on the side opposite opposite the wear indicators

    Corkscrew
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Inner pads tend to wear out faster than outer pads.

    Right, the inner pads will usually wear faster than the outside pads. Just looking at the outside pad through the wheel may not give you a good indication. I don't necessarily trust the wear indicators either. Depending on how well the callipers are working (centering on the rotor when you apply the brakes) pads can wear more on one end than the other. I prefer to take the wheels off, remove one calliper bolt, flip the calliper up, and check each pad. The dealership will always turn the rotors, even if there were no issues (vibration etc.). I find this unnecessary, and it only makes the rotors thinner/weaker each time they turn them. The amazing part is, they charge you to make your rotors weaker. :surprise: If your brakes were working fine, just change the pads and that's it.
  • wds1wds1 Member Posts: 23
    Thanks everyone for your input! I'm glad you are in this area to let me know about Serra Honda. I am sick about the money I just gave them for the 30000 mile service! I left Tuscaloosa to drive to B'ham as Townsend Honda (only Honda dealership in the town) wanted $319.00 of the service!!

    They told me my brakes were seriously worn and the front had a "hot spot". They told me the brakes were almost metal to metal. I said, the car is only two years old, is this normal?" Of course, the answer was yes.

    The car has 35350 miles. Should I need new brake pads, rotors turned, and four new tires at this point? What are your experiences with your Accords at this mileage?
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Did the tires look worn out to you? You would have to drive like a nut, and go around corners sideways, to wear the tires out that fast. Either you drive like a bat-out-of-hell, or they're giving you the treatment.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Well, the brakes are something I can't comment on, because I don't know how much life I have on mine, but I have both original brakes and tires at 31k miles, and the tires look like they have at least that much life left.

    Do you know how to check the "warning bars" as I've heard them called? Run your finger through the tread groove and when you reach a bump, compare the height of that bump to the rest of the tire tread. If you have tread sticking up higher than the bump, your tires have more life left. Check all four tires, in case they didn't all wear evenly.

    By the way, the other guys were right about trying different tires. The original equipment tires cost about $800, when a $500 set will do easily as well, if not better, when it comes to grip and comfort. My personal preference is for Bridgestone Potenza G009 High-Performance All-Seasons. I have them on my 1996 Accord LX and like them a lot. They aren't the quietest in the world, but their wet traction is excellent, important since that car doesn't have ABS.

    If I were you, I'd go to a local (Tuscaloosa) shop for tires and brakes; save the 100 miles of fuel (round trip) for another time.

    Keep us posted!

    TheGrad

    2006 Accord EX 4-cyl, 31,500 mi
    1996 Accord LX 4-cyl, 180,000 mi
  • hondahenryhondahenry Member Posts: 35
    Same here. there are lots of scratches on the bumper too. Worse than this, the front hood got some many tiny dots w/ paint off. I don't even know what happened. I drive mostly local and just noticed this recently. And it gets worse in the last 2 weeks. Any idea what causes this and how to fix it??
  • grampy1grampy1 Member Posts: 140
    The dots might be caused by acid rain,or just air pollution eating away the finish. Bird droppings are another finish eating residue.
  • hondahenryhondahenry Member Posts: 35
    thanks grampy. are those dots gonna keep coming? They just started to pop up recently but didn't see other cars around have this problem. Accord skin just seems too fragile. very upset. :mad:
  • grampy1grampy1 Member Posts: 140
    I just noticed that the chrome lug nuts on the alloy wheels on my '07 accord are RUSTING!. Looks crappy with the spiffy alloy wheels and tires. Anybody else suffering this problem?And if so,what did you do?
    I don't think lug nuts should be rusting on 6 mos. car.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Tire places, dealerships, and other shops use impact wrenches, which can easily chip the chrome off the lug nuts :surprise: . If you've had your tires removed a few times by a shop, that could be the cause. The chrome on my 03's lug nuts is doing fine, but I've only been to a tire shop once to change tires. Rotations and brake jobs etc, I do myself using the hand lug wrench.
  • grampy1grampy1 Member Posts: 140
    These tires and wheels haven't been touched since i bought the car new.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    That says cheap or defective lug nuts. There isn't one speck of rust on my 03's lug nuts. :confuse: Are they peeling or chipping? The lugs may not be chrome plated in the traditional sense. I know Honda's chrome looking accessory wheels are not really chrome. They just look like chrome.
  • grampy1grampy1 Member Posts: 140
    They have the rusty orange color starting . I'm going to the dealer for a oil change and will push for new lug nuts. I can't believe i'm the only one experiencing this.
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    or put a little naval jelly on them
  • pprboypprboy Member Posts: 4
    Hi,
    Same thing is happening with my I4 2007 EX Accord. Were you able to find out the problem? I hear an unusual noise sometimes when I try to start up, like a fuel pump activation sound. Anyway, on the second attempt, it has always started up. :mad:
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    Shouldn't happen with a 6 months car.
    A couple of mine started showing orange last summer. But it's a 5 yrs old car.
  • grampy1grampy1 Member Posts: 140
    Thanks for the replies. I'll mention that at dealer if they try to snow me.
  • brentcbrentc Member Posts: 2
    Hi,
    I own a 2005 V6 Accord Coupe with 45,000 miles. It has been an incredible car and I have had no problems with it, until the other day. I tried to start it and all the engine would do was turn over, but would not start. I have had this problem with an Acura TL, and it was the computer key. I just waited and re-inserted the key and the car started. The Accord wouldn't start after doing this. I had the car towed to the local Honda dealer and after I got it there, it started up without a problem!
    Yesterday, I noticed a man with a new Honda CRV and his car was doing the exact same thing! My car hasn't done this since that one time. The Honda people didn't seem to know what was causing this problem either.
    Has anyone here had this problem with any of their Hondas or Acuras?
    Thanks
  • cmartin411cmartin411 Member Posts: 42
    I have a 2006 V6 EX w/ 25,000 miles. Love the car, but I have noticed something that is minor, but annoying. When any of the windows is put down and then back up, the inside of the window streaks.

    I experimented one night by cleaning both sides of the windows, leaving the car in the garage all night, the next morning putting down the window and there were streaks on both sides.

    I took it to a dealer in metro Atlanta and they said it was build up on the track and cleaned it, but it happened again a week later. The tech said he checked his own Accord and noticed it did the same thing.

    I was wondering if anyone else had this issue and can it be fixed?

    Thanks.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    I took it to a dealer in metro Atlanta and they said it was build up on the track and cleaned it, but it happened again a week later. The tech said he checked his own Accord and noticed it did the same thing.

    I don't understand this. The tracks only contact the edges of the window. So cleaning the tracks, while a good idea, will not solve the streaking problem. The seals at the top of the door are what can leave streaks on the glass. You would have to catch the rubber seals with a butter knife or something, and clean the under side and the top of the seals (inside and outside), and that should solve the problem. If the seals are clean, top and bottom, it should not streak the windows. I have found that "Invisible Glass" spray foam works great, because it doesn't drip down the window and onto the seals as much as Windex and some other liquid cleaners.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I was wondering if anyone else had this issue and can it be fixed?

    Yep, I do. I just had never really thought anything of it. Now that I notice it I'll have to try and fix it! :)

    TheGrad
    2006 Accord EX I4
  • usafgarrettusafgarrett Member Posts: 6
    Okay...I bought my lovely little '05 EX-V6 sedan in July of '05. I now have 53k on the odometer, and all of a sudden my AC cut out. Now, if I lived in Chicago, or Wisconsin, it wouldn't really be of any concern, but I'm in Panama City, Florida. It's already in the upper 70s to lower 80s during the days here, and to my avail no AC. Being as handy as I could, I went to my local auto parts store and picked up some R-134A with a gauge. Went home to fill it up, and presto, my pressure was too high (~95). Took it to the Honda service despite the $123 diagnostic fee just so they could tell me that I needed a new compressor. $1550!!! This car isn't even 3 years old! A compressor?!?!?! So I call Honda of NA to see if they'll cover the repair. I've heard before that even after your warranty has worn out they'll still cover some items that are deemed to be defective, or just prematurely go. I called them Thurs. and the guy on the other end of the phone takes down all of my information, asks me a few questions about my Honda-owning history (Wife has an '07 Pilot), what the problem is, etc. He kept asking me what they said was wrong with the compressor. I have NO CLUE! I wish I knew and I'd just fix the damn thing myself! He tells me I'll be contacted in 1-2 business days by a "Regional Claims Manager". In the meantime, my local dealership has agreed to leave my bill for the diagnostic open in lieu of the decision from Honda of NA. Well the 2 days have passed, I have re-contacted customer service and they sent the dude an e-mail, but still nothing. We hit 81 today, and my 2 year old isn't really digging riding in Daddy's oven. Are they stonewalling me? What should I do? I know what I really want to do, and that's send them 5 certified letters, as well as a copy of the ad for my Accord and my wife's Pilot up for sale! Hopefully Honda will come thru on this one, otherwise I'll go on to Nissan, Toyota, VW, or someone else!
  • cmartin411cmartin411 Member Posts: 42
    thegraduate - I hope I don't cause you future frustration with the window streaks. I wish I would have never noticed. :)

    I am going to take elroy's suggestion and clean those areas this weekend.

    Thanks,
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    It didn't bother me at all today. I drove my '96!
  • kevinn2kevinn2 Member Posts: 1
    2003 Accord transmissions are failing in many cars. You can google 2003 accord transmission and you will find site(s) with problems. Honda had a recall in 2004 to fix something with the 2/3rd gears but it didnt do squat. I think they knew it will fail at 70-100k mi well above warranties to protect themselves. My car is in the dealership almost had a wreck. Trying to Honda to replace their junk.

    The transmission failures seem very common. My radio also went dark but was replaced as 'goodwill'. Its another common problem. Be safe and I recommend not driving until transmission is fixed.

    Good luck.
  • dmbst68dmbst68 Member Posts: 50
    I have a 2005 Accord EX-L sedan (4 cylinder / AT). I'm starting to hear what I'd call a "metallic sound" coming from the from end of the car when I turn left or right. The sound isn't constant when turning; it's rapid. I don't hear the sound when travelling in a straight line, only while turning.

    I don't think it's the brake pads...I've had no trouble stopping the car. Nor have I noticed a problem with the car's handling. I don't think it's the transmission either...I don't feel any problems like a missed gear or anything. It's just annoying because it sounds like the car is an old beater when in fact it's only going on 3 years old come this June.

    Any thoughts as to what this might be? Has anyone else experienced this? :confuse:
  • usafgarrettusafgarrett Member Posts: 6
    Alright...I got my 05 Accords compressor replacement fully covered, out of warranty, by Honda. They initially only agreed to cover the parts, but after prompting repeatedly, decided to cover the entire $1550 bill. So, if you need to deal with them, be stern in your expectations, and don't accept their initial offer! I swear it was just like buying a new one.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    That's why I bought ext warranties for my Honda & Lexus. One repair like this will
    pay for the warranty cost.
    You never know when & what parts are going to fail.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    That's why I bought ext warranties for my Honda & Lexus. One repair like this will pay for the warranty cost.
    You never know when & what parts are going to fail.


    Didn't he just give an example of how the extended warranty is not necessary? :confuse:
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    I think what he is saying is that even if you never have to use it it's nice to know that it's there. Like he said you just never know. It's better safe than sorry. Say the transmission blows out, the warranty, at least in my case cost $1700 and change, while the tranny costs about $4000, which would more than make up for the paltry $1700, and the warranty would cover the tranny. Money well spent in my opinion. To each his own I guess.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    Honda took the bill because his car is less than 3 yrs old even
    though the mileage exceeded 36K.
    Did you see how much hassles he went through to have it
    repaired free of charge?
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    I guess each person's experience with extended warranties is different. I made the mistake of paying $600 for a 7 year/100k mile extended warranty on my last car. That $600 payed for 1 $5.00 knob, so I actually wasted $595. Needless to say, I didn't buy an extended warranty for my current car. The head unit display circuit board went out at 49k miles, well after the 36k mile warranty had run out. Since the circuit board was a known defect, Honda extended the warranty on it to 7 years/100k miles. No charge. I think I'm saving myself some $$$ this time. :D

    I think Consumer Reports said it best. "The only reason you should feel the need to buy an extended warranty, is if you know the car you're buying is a :lemon:" Why would you do that?
  • guudboi27guudboi27 Member Posts: 1
    My 2004 Accord LX A/c condenser got bursted by pebbles, I got it replaced with a new one, ever since i did that my engine vibrates and it seems my fuel consuption has increased sharply, what is the cause of this and will it become normal later???
  • mamamia2mamamia2 Member Posts: 707
    This was dealt here before, I'm sure, but for whatever reason, I can hardly find any trace of it:

    We have only 15k on our '05 V6 Accord, but based on what I've read here, and checking the tranny fluid (it looks a bit brownish, though smells OK), my mechanic is planning a transmission fluid flush (using that slow-working machine that gradually replaces the old fluid with the fresh one).

    Based on what he's telling me, I wanted to double check that I don't have to use only Honda's own brand, but can use a quality ATF -- plus an additive that would make it on par with Honda's specifications.... I did some search on other forums and I found 2 names of additives like LubeGard or SmartBlend, 2 names that may be OLD, so maybe newer, more update additives are now available.....

    What you guys think?
  • mamamia2mamamia2 Member Posts: 707
    I am back, ONE YEAR LATER, to warn others.... My original post was from exactly a year ago....

    Finally, after many delays I went to the dealer with this complaint about a "chirping" sound that was coming from the left side (Serpentine belt side) of the engine when in idle....

    They kept the car for inspections, and after an hour called me and told me that since they need to keep the car, and don't have a loaner, I need to rent a car (under warranty)....

    I asked why can't I come back in a couple days when they do have a loaner. The answer was "no, we don't want you to drive this car".... Turns out the Timing Belt tensioner was loose and was rubbing against the belt itself.... This has been going on for OVER A YEAR now.... It could have caused the belt to SNAP and RUIN THE ENGINE.....

    So, any chirping sound, coming and going in a slow interval, like a bird was chirping... prrrr...prrrr...prrrr... ---- Don't wait, bring it to the dealer.....
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