So I bought my car used a little over 2 years ago with 71k miles on it at the time. Since then I just finally went past 103k today. Being I plan on keeping it for many years to come, can you guys give me some recommendations on general maintenance that I might want to look into now and down the road at specific mileage intervals. I just replaced the front rotors & pads at 101k miles along with front swaybar links, new tires and a new ac compressor & compressor relay. Being I'm not sure what kind of preventative maintenance the previous owner did, what would you reccomend now or in the near future. What I have in mind at the moment is a coolant change, brake fluid change, manual transmission fluid change and new spark plugs. All the recalls are current except for the lost motion spring recall which I plan to get done in the next few weeks barring my local honda dealer can get it done. The car runs excellent overall and I would like to keep it that way for a long time to come. Oil wise currently running Mobil 1 full synthetic high mileage every 10k miles. The car is not driven in hilly or mountainous terrain or dusty conditions.

 

I'd also change out your serpentine belt. And since you're going to change the coolant, you might want to take a close look at the upper and lower radiator hoses.

 

All sounds like a good plan. Valves might need adjusting and keep an eye on your spark plug tightness.

 

Great advice, GolNat.

 

Manual calls for transmission flushes every 30K. Use the Honda MTF stuff, it's better than anything else you can buy. 1.3 quarts for a flush, and maybe borrow a mate to help feed plastic tubing into the fill hole in the side of the transmission. I'd also recommend the Honda spec coolant. If you're feeling froggy you might go for swapping the front rotors and calipers for a '99 Integra Type R caliper and 2006 Mini cooper 280MM rotors. Goes from 10.3 inch brakes to 11, but there's a ton more surface to brake with, installs exactly as the old ones come off. Dramatically increases braking performance, which this car is lacking stock.

 

Does anyone have preswewnce on Honda DOT3 brake fluid vs aftermarket DOT4? The manual says only use Honda fluid, " always use Honda heavy-duty brake fluid Dot 3. If it is not available, you should use only. 3 or Dot 4 fluid, from a sealed container as a temporary replacement." I want to swap out to stainless braided brake like hoses from the stock rubber ones and was thinking StopTech DOT4 fluid... any experience or advice?

 

Switched to DOT 4 when I replaced my front calipers and switched to rear discs. System is labeled for dot 3 or 4 anyway. DOT 4 has a higher boiling point than 3. Considering how cheap brake fluid is it really isn't going to make a difference between the Honda spec and most any other brand. I used Prestone brand DOT 4 when I did my system flush.

 

You are correct DOT3 and 4 are interchangeable and just have differences to meet boiling point specs. I’ve used DOT3 in my 1992+ Honda and Mazda cars

 

Helpful info...thanks! Did you notice better stopping power with DOT4 fluid over DOT3?
Is it worth looking at StopTech DOT4 fluid with even higher boiling point over standard DOT4?

 

Well when I flushed my system I swapped all four corners for bigger calipers, and replaced the rear drums with disc brakes. She'll stop on a dime and give change now but I chalk that up to better pads, bigger brakes and the addition or rear discs.

 

If your system is flushed (and free of water) DOT4 and DOT3 should be the same. As the DOT3/4 fluids increase in water content the boiling point matters and DOT4 has a leg up on DOT3. For everyday driving and proper maintenance, DOT 3 is a better $ choice. I replace my brake fluid in the reservoir every 6 months whether it needs it or not. I've been doing that, and yearly bleeds, and I've never had to replace a caliper on my 400K+ mile 1992 Acura Integra and my 2002 CRV. BMW service includes frequent brake reservoir and bleeds and they achieve the same result - far less caliper and rusting issues. Pay it now or pay it later (in parts and accident potential with poorer stopping power).