Honda Cars DIY

As far as maintaining the proper temperatures for your Honda car is concerned, it would be best to keep it straight and water-based. Radiator coolants are believed to be of good use to aid radiators in terms of controlling the heat but apparently and avoiding the rusting of radiators but they do the exact opposite; they are catalysts for rust and you may eventually have more problems in the end.

We cannot deny the fact that radiators are heat conductors and that we want to safeguard them from depreciating. But rather than radiator coolants, why not upgrade your auxiliary fan if you really want to avoid overheating?

We cannot disregard the fact that we will have to change the tires of our cars at some point. While balancing them is only one way to avoid problems of uneven tire tread use, it would be wise to have them aligned as well just for safety.

Not all tires and rims are alike when something is altered. Honda owners know for a fact that such changes can affect as far as chassis parts such as the tire rods and suspension bearings. Though they may sound too technical, letting the mechanics and alignment or camber specialists look at them wouldn’t hurt.

We cannot avoid problems such as oil leaks originating from the engine may occur. This may be a problem from bolts all the way towards checking the bushings or even eventual engine wear down. Apparently, most people don’t care much about it and for all intents and purposes, abnormal oil leaks are a given.

It would be best to address them as soon as you can. Losing oil may be troublesome for your engine and we all know what will happen to engines once they run out of oil. Unless you want to destroy your engine, checking your oil levels can save you costs such as engine overhauls.

Japanese vehicles are known for their efficiency and compact size. But they can really hit it with their big guns with pick-up truck models. These vehicles are not just but they still retain the Japanese can trait of reducing fuel consumption. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the Honda Ridgeline. In the US, it has received the international truck of the year award. One of the reasons why it has garnered such an award is because of innovative features like the 8.5 cu. Ft. In-Bed TrunkTM.

It is a large and hidden trunk that keeps your gear secure. It is water tight and it is made of high-strength composite material. The Honda Ridgeline is a well-equipped truck although unoptioned is certainly a contender.

Source : About Japanese Cars

Image Source: www.autocult.com.au

At times, the keyless entry remote of our cars will need to be changed although it may take some years before they run out. Most of the time, they use special batteries that are either the flat rounded ones or smaller batteries than the usual triple A batteries we see commonly in the market today.

With the mini screw drivers that can be loosened, just be careful opening up your remote. Its small pieces may scatter if you are not careful and rather than changing the batter of the remote only, you may end up having to change everything at once.

 VTEC is one of Honda’s greatest invention. Though an undisputed expert in turbocharging as evidenced by years of Formula-1 domination while Honda was active in the sport, Honda’s engineers feels that turbocharging has disadvantages, primarily bad fuel economy, that made it not totally suitable for street use. At the same time, the advantages of working with smaller engines meant that smaller capacity engines with as high power output as possible (ie very high specific-output engines) are desirable for street engines.

From Asia VTEC.net

DOHC VTEC is the implementation producing the highest-powered engines and used in the highest performing models in the Honda line-up. The smallest DOHC VTEC engine is the legendary B16A. A 1595cc 160-170ps engine that first appeared in the 1989 Honda Integra XSi and RSi, it now powers the famous Civic SiR models. The B16B is a special hand-tuned super high output derivative of the B16A giving 185ps and used in the Civic Type-R.

The B18C is a 180ps 1797cc engine that appears in the high performance Integra line-up. The B18CSpec96 is a special hand-tuned super high output version of the B18C giving 200ps and used in the legendary Integra Type-R.

DOHC VTEC implementations now appear in most of Honda’s great line-up. The Accord SiR used to have a detuned 190s H22A 2.2l DOHC VTEC which was also used on the same period Prelude Si-VTEC in which it gave 200ps. The current Accord line now has a 2.0l DOHC VTEC engine that gives 180ps and 200ps in the Accord SiR and SiR-T models respectively while the current Prelude SiR still uses the H22A 2.2l DOHC VTEC engine giving 200ps. A special hand-tuned version of H22A is used in the Prelude Type-S and gives 220ps.

The highest level of DOHC VTEC implementation is of course in the NSX. Implemented V6 DOHC VTEC, originally in 3.0l and now in a larger 3.2l form, it tops the 280ps “legal” limit imposed by the Japanese government for stock street cars.

SOHC VTEC appears in more guises in the Honda line-up. The smallest SOHC VTEC engine is the D15B, used on Civic and Civic Ferio VTi/Vi models in Japan. The D16A 1590cc SOHC VTEC (power) engine giving 130ps is also used on the Civic Coupe and the Civic Ferio EXi (a 4WD model). SOHC VTEC also appears on the Accord models but not the Integra or Prelude line-up. In fact in markets which Honda considers not sufficiently advanced to warrant the DOHC VTEC engines (Malaysia being one of them), Honda markets SOHC VTEC as the top engine for their line-up.

Image Source : Honda WorldWide

A couple of days ago, my place was hit by a tropical storm. Many areas of my city were flooded, so school and work were suspended for a while. I didn’t have to travel (as I hold office at home), but then I had to run some errands, so I had to go drive to get to places.

Thank goodness I didn’t have to wade through knee-deep flood waters. In these cases, it’s best to avoid travel at all. But just in case you find yourself stranded in the middle of a storm with rising waters, here’s what to do, based on some tips from Smart Driving UK.

Check the depth first. Generally, water that reaches to the center of your wheels is already asking for trouble. Not only will you let water seep into the car’s underside, there is also a chance of water entering the engine compartment. It’s best to estimate the depth first. If there are other cars ahead of you wading through the flood water, then that can be a good indicator of depth.

Beware road obstructions and hazards. Floodwaters will hide any obstruction or hazards on the road, like potholes, open manholes (if any), or even the curb. Be sure you know the road you’re traversing or you might hit something not visible.

Air is your engine’s friend. Fuel is only half of what powers an internal combustion engine. The other half is air. In diesels, air is compressed to a high temperature to ignite the fuel. In petrol engines, a spark plug does the ignition. So this means if your engine cannot “breathe” then you will stall.

Running through floodwaters, you should make sure that your engine does not lose air intake, and that water does not flood the engine. Water tends to enter the system through the exhaust pipe, or through the air intake/filter itself. So while traversing a flooded area, you should rev the engine so engine exhaust is forced out of the tailpipe. Driving a manual transmission, slip the clutch while revving the engine while at a stop.

Some 4×4s and off-roaders having air intakes located atop their roofs so the vehicle can “breathe in” air even with the engine submerged. You shouldn’t do this unless absolutely necessary, as your engine’s electrical system might be damaged by water.

Drive slow. Anything faster than a slow crawl will create “bow waves” in the floodwater, which could flow onto the oncoming lane or the curb, and could cause water to enter into your air intake. Driving fast through floodwaters might also soak any pedestrians on the curb, and is very inconsiderate.

Again, if you’re driving a stick-shift, be sure to rev your engine high while moving. You can do this by slipping the clutch while moving. When driving automatic, keep your gear to L or 1 or L1, depending on how it’s labeled on your selector (so you’re locked in first gear).

One car at a time. Flooded areas are best traversed one car at a time. This It’s also best to let oncoming traffic pass first, so if ever bow waves are created, these will not hit oncoming traffic.

Losing grip. In case your tyres lose their contact from the road, your car might already be floating. You can open a door to let water in, so your car is weighed down and tyres can get contact with the road again. This is a last resort, of course, as you will obviously ruin your car’s interior.

Check your brakes. Once you’ve passed the flooded area, you have to check your brakes–do this while driving slowly. Wet brake pads lead to inefficient braking, and you might lose braking power, so be sure to drive cautiously from this point.

Have your car checked. Be sure to check with your mechanic, in case your car sustains some damage from flood waters. This is especially so, if your car has been left standing in deep water. Water-logged cars are considered wrecks, and might be dangerous to drive, given that water damage compromises the structural integrity of a car, and might ruin electronics systems.

Source

The air filter element of most Honda cars are important to make sure that you get the proper ventilation and exhaust today. Most Hondas bank on this for better performance and if they are not cared for, there may be issues with regards to performance and overall intake.

Fuel consumption may be affected as well and we all know that this is something important in the world today. Air filters have a bearing on performance. We just have to determine its extent to do so. Replace it each time you get an oil change. It has a bearing on everything.

Preventive Maintenance
Going by the book. Be Up to date and follow your car’s maintenance schedule in the vehicle owner’s manual and make necessary repairs promptly. Start saving money for car maintenance as well as for repairs as you would saving money for gas. If you think you’re saving money by skipping an oil change, think again. Missing even one oil change can accelerate premature engine wear and cause engine damage. The manual contains a maintenance schedule.
Use the right stuff. When it’s time for maintenance or repairs, use only parts and fluids meeting manufacturer specifications. Using the wrong type of oil or transmission fluid, for example, could result in damage leading to expensive repairs.

Know what to look for. Problems can arise at any time and for inexplicable reasons. So it helps to get in the habit of opening the hood and looking, listening, and smelling what’s happening in your engine bay. Look for fraying or cracks in belts, and cracks or bulges in hoses. Investing in a vehicle service manual, available at car dealerships and most auto-parts stores, will help show you what to look for and assist you with minor repairs.

Maintaining a Clean Car. Get out the cleaning products periodically. Regular cleaning inside and out can make the car a more pleasant place to be as you roll up the miles, and washing and waxing can help preserve the paint and keep the sheet metal below it from rusting. Vacuuming sand and dirt out of carpets and seats can minimize premature wear that leads to tears and holes.
Reliability. Buy a car with a good track record and that which is reliable. Consumer Reports offers comprehensive reliability ratings. Buy a car that has performed well in government and insurance-industry safety tests and has the latest safety equipment, like electronic stability control and curtain air bags. If you’re going to live with a vehicle for a long time, you will want it to provide maximum safety protection.

Source

via Essential Car Care

If you are trying to avoid the cost of having your engine overhauled, while the problem is at its lightest, it would be best to save by buying oil additives to help resolve minimal issues. It may be temporary, about 3 to 5 years, but the thing is that it gives you an allowance to save for it if the engine condition worsens.

Not all people can afford an overhaul costing. They will indeed be a problem. Other than not being able to use your car, you have to worry about which part/s you have to change and how much it will cost overall.