Ask the Car People.SM


Honda Accord (2003-2007) Maintenance and Repair

5868 messages,  Last post on May 07, 2013 at 7:55 PM

You are in the Honda Accord Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Electrical, Engine, Coupe, Sedan

    
Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 562 of 587

#5611 of 5868 Re: Throttle Body servicing mishap by jonahdog

May 15, 2011 (3:44 am)

Curious as to why Honda rec the throttle body service ? Was it acting up or just a "car has reached mileage" thing? I don't remember seeing this rec service in the owners manual I also have an 07 accord (48K) but it runs like new. Personally, I don't subscribe to the "service is required at specified mileage" honda rec maintenance... well, except for the timing belt (if your car has one). I prefer to inspect / listen to my car and "maintain" it as needed. I also happen to belong to the "I hate Honda Service Club" !!!! Definitely follow the earlier advice of finding an independent service you can trust... Ask around. My salesperson even suggested an alternative when I bought my car. He wants my return business and isn't about to burn a future sale!! I also have a 2003 Accord that vibrates 55-60 mph every morning. I feel it on the interstate on a moderate grade when the transmission is in OD pulling 2000-2200 rpm. After that first hill it seems to disappear. I suspect motor / transmission mounts may be going....but haven't had time to investigate. I did have my tires checked. Found one questionable and had all 4 force balanced which helped but not completely...

#5612 of 5868 Re: Throttle Body servicing mishap [jonahdog] by daveturner

May 15, 2011 (10:27 am)

Replying to: jonahdog (May 15, 2011 3:44 am)
I agree that the dealership service department can be a rip-off. I serviced my 2004 Honda Accord from 2004 to Sept. 2010 and thinking back, these are the bad experiences I have had:
 
1) I remembered the dealer service advisor had me change my brake pads probably once ever 1.5 years--and I drive about 11,000 miles per year; the independent service shop i go to did not recommend changing my brake pads that fast.
2) In August 2010, out of nowhere, I had my Accord in at the dealership to do a routine 5K mile maintenance, the service advisor said my Accord's front shocks were leaking fluid and would cost $700 to replace--and he stated it must be done soon because it would be a safety issue. I was shocked at this so I took my accord to an independent repair shop (they only service Hondas and Toyotas) and they found nothing wrong with my shocks--I now use them for my Accord's service & repair.
3) I remembered doing an alignment on my Accord after I ran over a big pothole in 2008, the service department advisor said they could not fix my alignment issue and my Accord would drift to the right and recommended me to get it fixed by a body shop (which the dealership is affiliated with). I refused to do it. Later, in Sept 2010, when I changed all 4 of my tires (using tirerack.com) at an independent shop (affiliated with tirerack.com), I had an alignment done and my Accord drives straight!
 
overall, I think the dealership service department have to charge much higher than independents because of the licensing fees they have to pay to Honda and admittedly the dealership's waiting lounge is definitely much better than most independent shops--but you have pay through the nose for it by either high service prices or hidden costs--like more frequent unnecessary maintenance procedures (brakes, shocks, etc).

#5613 of 5868 60k service at home by lilengineerboy

May 16, 2011 (8:52 am)

So my 2007 Accord EX 5spd manual is about to hit 60k. I am planning to change the trans fluid with the "blessed factory Honda fluid" for the 1st and the coolant with "factory Honda coolant" for the 2nd time. I have already done an oil/filter/air filter change very recently based on the service minder and I did the brake fluid change 30k. I am thinking I will need new brakes soon enough so I will just perform the fluid change then.
I am also looking at new tires, feeling comfortable with the 60k from the 205/60R16 Bridgestone Turanza EL41s. They were reasonably quiet and offered decent all season traction but were disappointing in dry weather handling. I am still planning to do the 17" upgrade to 215 or 225 17s so I can get something of a performance tire. After putting true snow tires on our other car, I am looking forward to having those on this vehicle as well next winter on the original wheels.
Lastly I have the Acura TL rear sway bar waiting to be installed with updated brackets, bushings and end links. For an hour of work and $40, I will see if that helps with the front end plow the Accord exhibits on corners.

#5614 of 5868 Re: Throttle Body servicing mishap [daveturner] by michael2595

May 16, 2011 (10:56 am)

Replying to: daveturner (May 15, 2011 10:27 am)
The most profitable center is not sales or leasing or those overblown 100,000 mile service contracts.. Its the service dept . After my warranty was up I walked out that service dept never to come back after they changed my cabin filter for 90 dollars without my permission.. I told them to take it out... 5 minutes of work and 15 dollars is what it cost me. They can rip other people off.. I am at an independent which I say is at least 50 to 60 percent cheaper and a real nice guy. Priceless

#5615 of 5868 BG products and services by michael2595

May 16, 2011 (10:58 am)

Has anyone here used thier products and services.
 
http://www.bgprod.com/products/products.html

#5616 of 5868 Re: BG products and services [michael2595] by lilengineerboy

May 16, 2011 (11:05 am)

Replying to: michael2595 (May 16, 2011 10:58 am)
I have used BG products to correct particular conditions. I have used their transmission fluid in other vehicles and their fuel injector cleaner. I have found both to be fine although if they promise the world, they are unlikely to deliver.
I haven't used any BG products with my '07 Accord but have had good luck with their products in my '89 Galant.

#5617 of 5868 Re: 60k service at home [lilengineerboy] by tallman1

May 16, 2011 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (May 16, 2011 8:52 am)
I am also looking at new tires, feeling comfortable with the 60k from the 205/60R16 Bridgestone Turanza EL41s.
 
I'm over 90k on my OEM EL41s. I still have a fair amount of tread left but I've been looking as well. I sure read a lot of good reviews on the Michelin Primacy MXV4s.
 
I'm still on my original brakes too. It's getting close to the time I have to replace those as well.

#5618 of 5868 - by dudleyr

May 17, 2011 (6:03 am)

105k on my EL 41's. Not really fair though because I run snow tires in the winter so really only about 70k. Still not bad. I am looking at the Primacy MXV4 this summer - Michelin has a $70 rebate that comes and goes so I will probably get in on the next one.
 
I also have all original brakes - and they have plenty of life left.

#5619 of 5868 Re: - [dudleyr] by lilengineerboy

May 17, 2011 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: dudleyr (May 17, 2011 6:03 am)
105k on my EL 41's. Not really fair though because I run snow tires in the winter so really only about 70k. Still not bad.
 
Yeah I am going to put W409s or similar on the original wheels. Our Subaru on snows was amazing last winter, and those were WinterSport D3s, which aren't a super-hard-core snow tire at all (before that it had used W404s that had worn funny and out of balance). My commute is almost all highway so I expect the tires to last a long time.
 
I am looking at the Primacy MXV4 this summer - Michelin has a $70 rebate that comes and goes so I will probably get in on the next one.
 
Yeah, I think I am going to get something more aggressive for the summer tires, like a Dunlop DZ101. I really have never been a huge fan of Michelin, although I've never had a problem with them, either.

#5620 of 5868 Re: - [lilengineerboy] by tallman1

May 17, 2011 (7:36 pm)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (May 17, 2011 5:29 pm)
I remember reading all the posts about how awful the OEM Michelins were back in 06. Those of us with the Bridgestones were quite happy so I've been leery about Michelins, although the OEMs on my 95 Accord seemed okay.
 
When I read the ratings on Tire Rack and elsewhere, the Primacy MXV4 really shines so we'll see.
 
Costco has $70 off on Michelin now so I'll probably go with the V rated tires soon. They are $145 each and with install, state fees and taxes, they are $633.48 out the door. Discount Tire is a buck cheaper per tire but install is more. Plus they don't have the $70 discount right now. Tire Rack would be much more with local install.
 
The way things are working out, brakes, tires, and 100k tune-up are going to be close together so getting the tires now will help with evening out the expenses.

Messages Page 562 of 587

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement