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Honda Accord (2003-2007) Maintenance and Repair

5872 messages,  Last post on Jun 11, 2013 at 7:56 AM

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

    
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Messages Page 566 of 588

#5645 of 5872 Re: 2005 vs 2006 -- which to pick? [stickguy] by igozoomzoom

Jun 09, 2011 (1:24 am)

Replying to: stickguy (Jun 08, 2011 8:19 pm)
Have any of you with a manual transmission started using a synthetic transmission fluid/oil instead of the conventional type? The only issue I ever experienced prior to 100k with any Honda 5-speed was a aversion to shifting easily into Reverse. Around 200k, my '93 Accord started balking at quick shifts into 3rd, but double-clutching did the trick when necessary.
 
In 2006, I jumped ship and bought my first non-Honda vehicle, a 2006 Mazda3. While shift-quality never approached the level of near-perfection of most Hondas, I adapted and it didn't really bother me. Eventually, around 40k miles, it started grinding going into 3rd gear, especially so on the 2-3 upshift. I took it to the dealer and they gave me a loaner to drive for the day (a base model 2008 Mazda3 5-speed) and I realized how much easier it shifted than my '06. The dealership said the issue was normal wear and/or due to aggressive driving (I'm an insurance agent, we're almost as wild behind the wheel as librarians). But I digress...
 
I did some research and found a lot of other manual drivers online who had similar issues, to varying degrees, on Mazdas and most other makes as well. Many of them tried switching to synthetic gear oil and the vast majority were pleased with the results. I switched to Red Line MT-90 and it did wonders for the shift quality and the 3rd gear grinding issue. It's been over 40k miles since I switched and it's still doing great!
 
I highly recommend it to anyone having issues or planning to drive their car well past 100k! While I used Red Line MT-90, no major stores carry it (in most areas) and it has to be ordered online. Royal Purple synthetic manual transmission fluid/oil is available in some auto parts stores and is top-notch quality. Just thought I'd share.

#5646 of 5872 Re: 2005 vs 2006 -- which to pick? [igozoomzoom] by mr_gone

Jun 09, 2011 (6:12 am)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Jun 06, 2011 10:54 pm)
I'll take your word on the interior of the '08s+ being a nightmare--haven't spent that much time in them. What I don't get is why Honda has lost all sense of what looks good externally--the '07 CR-V is uglier than the '06, the '03 Odyssey is uglier than the '02 and the '11 is an incoherant design exercise, the new TL is an absurd-looking car, earlier ones weren't, etc. Honda's slogan used to be "We make it simple" and their cars' exteriors reflected that philosophy. While they still make good vehicles, the design is befuddling. Today, their slogan should be "We make it weird."

#5647 of 5872 Re: 2005 vs 2006 -- which to pick? [mr_gone] by temj12

Jun 09, 2011 (12:34 pm)

Replying to: mr_gone (Jun 09, 2011 6:12 am)
I agree with you about Honda styles. I have an '05 Accord EX-L Coupe which I really love. However, I don't think the style is that great. After I saw the new 2012 Civic four door, I posted a comment in that forum about Honda's lousy designs. I was "blasted" for saying anything negative about Honda. I do think Honda's styles are in the negative. The 2008+ Accord Couple looks awful.

#5648 of 5872 Re: 2005 vs 2006 -- which to pick? [amy911] by temj12

Jun 09, 2011 (12:40 pm)

Replying to: amy911 (Jun 08, 2011 6:07 pm)
I have an '05 Accord 5 speed EX-L. This is the first car that I have followed Honda's recommended service to the letter and then some. I have 107,000 trouble free miles. I believe that when you keep it serviced like they recommend that you keep it in top operating condition and that it will pay off. I really don't consider that I have wasted money on that.

#5649 of 5872 - by dudleyr

Jun 13, 2011 (11:59 am)

I have 106,000 trouble free miles and the car has never been to a honda dealer (aside from minor warranty adjustments in the first few months). I have done all maintenance myself - so far only oil and filter changes. Will probably change the spark plugs soon though - or at least inspect them.

#5650 of 5872 just to be safe by stickguy

Jun 13, 2011 (12:42 pm)

Since my '05 (62K) is in having the faulty solenoid replaced, I am having the manual trans fluid changed also. I pretty much qualify as the severe schedule, and this falls into my "cheap insurance" catagory. Should be good to go for another year or so (coolant probably should be done by then). Only thing in the distant horizon is the plugs. Already changed the air filter and brake fluid, so nothing left that qualifies as 60K maintenance I don't think.

#5651 of 5872 New Sway Bar and End Links & TSX wheels by lilengineerboy

Jun 13, 2011 (1:10 pm)

So the sway bar is swapped. The Honda End Links, well, suck. They are a one-time use part. To remove them, the instructions say to slip a 5mm allen key into the bolt and then use a 14mm wrench on the nut. The bolt is of less than stellar quality and corrodes to the point you can't get the nut off without excessive force...which invariably strips out the allen head in the end of the bolt. A Dremel with a cut-off wheel is the only way to go. I'm amazed at how much more difficult the 2007 is to work on than the 1993 (although we will see when I do front brakes). Anyway, I now have Moog end links and an Acura TL rear sway bar.
At ~62k the tires are finishing up. I scored some Acura TSX 17x7 wheels off eBay and will be installing 215/50R17 tires. I am hoping those upgrades (tires/wheels/sway bar) help the car feel a little more lively. Now I just have to figure out what 3-season tires I want; the stock rims (or 15" steels) will have winter tires.

#5652 of 5872 Re: - [dudleyr] by michael2595

Jun 13, 2011 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: dudleyr (Jun 13, 2011 11:59 am)
what year and make and when did you change the timing belt or dare I ask have you?

#5653 of 5872 Re: - [michael2595] by dudleyr

Jun 13, 2011 (3:01 pm)

Replying to: michael2595 (Jun 13, 2011 1:47 pm)
It is an Accord as per this thread. Model year is 2007 and it does not have a timing belt. The car runs perfectly, brakes have more than 50% all around. Clutch is still like new, mpg is stellar. I did add a little bit of coolant - may change that out soon, but it still looks like new when you open the cap.
 
I exclusively use Mobil 1 0w-20 with Pur 1 synthetic oil filters, and change at the maintenance minders reccomendation - about 8 or 9k. Not sure I am going to change the brake fluid anytime soon. I am pretty easy on brakes so the fuild never gets hot - it should last indefinately. I am almost more worried about contaminates getting in when it is changed than I am about older fluid. In some of my past cars I never had any brake issues until shortly after the fluid was changed - VW Scirocco to name one.

#5654 of 5872 Re: - [dudleyr] by mrbill1957

Jun 13, 2011 (4:01 pm)

Replying to: dudleyr (Jun 13, 2011 3:01 pm)
The concern with brake fluid is not how hard you use your brakes, it's the fact that the fluid is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs water. Humidity and the absorbtion of water is the issue, not wear and tear from use.
 
Mrbill

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