There’s no doubt about it, Honda makes a long-lasting vehicle.  In fact, when polled, most consumers rank Honda within the top two manufacturers in the world, in terms of dependability, reliability and durability – chances are good that these three items were all factors in your decision to purchase one in the first place.

That said, you will have to ensure that you utilize proper maintenance procedures if you want your Honda to stand the test of time.  All vehicles require maintenance in order to continue working properly.  A lack of such maintenance can certainly leave you stranded on the side of the road.  What types of maintenance should you use?

Oil Changes – Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle.  Without clean oil, the metal parts within your vehicle’s engine would begin grinding together, creating even greater heat and reducing their effectiveness.  In short, without clean oil, your vehicle’s engine would soon cease to operate.

Over time and use, oil loses its viscosity, or ability to lubricate.  This is due to a natural breakdown of compounds within the oil.  The only way to prevent this is to ensure that you have regular oil changes.  Most newer Honda vehicles, built after 2004, can safely go 5,000 miles between oil changes.  Older vehicles should have their oil changed every 3,000 miles.  Use the weight of oil recommended in your owner’s manual, or follow your dealership’s instructions.

Tire Rotation and Balance – This is yet another form of basic maintenance, common to every type of vehicle.  It’s highly recommended that you have your tires rotated at every other oil change, if you follow the 3,000-mile rule.  If you follow the 5,000-mile rule, you will need to rotate your tires at each oil change.

Why rotate your tires?  A tire rotation takes the two tires from the drive position (front) and replaces then with the two from the non-drive position (rear).  This is essential, because tires in the drive position wear more quickly.  Only through proper rotation can you hope to ensure that your tires wear evenly and last as long as they are supposed to.  A tire balance can help your vehicle ride more smoothly by eliminating vibrations within the tires and wheels.

Air Filter – Like most modern vehicles, all Hondas have an air filter, or air cleaner.  This item filters the air that is sucked into your engine, preventing dirt, dust and other debris from chocking the life out of your engine.  However, over time, your air filter will become blocked and clogged with this debris.  It’s recommended that you change it every 15,000 miles (sooner in areas with extreme weather conditions).

Transmission Service – The transmission of your Honda is essential; without it, your vehicle won’t move.  Just like your engine, the transmission has fluid that helps lubricate the moving parts and helps to cool the transmission during operation.  Most Honda dealerships recommend having your fluid drained and refilled every 30,000 miles on average, though your dealership might have different mileage recommendations.

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