View Full Version : Car Maintenance for low mileage cars
max_boost
04-25-2011, 04:20 PM
My fellow Honda owners please advise.
So for my 05 NSX I looked through the maintenance book and the schedule is like any other Honda lol nothing major until 100,000kms.
I have the service history and other than oil changes, no other fluids have been changed in the car's 6 year history.
The car right now has around 27,000kms (17,000 miles). I store it in the winter and I'll drive <500kms/month.
The question is, at what point do I change all my fluids? I changed the oil just before winter storage, do I change it again now? Just to keep it fresh? What about my transmission fluid, front/rear differential fluid, brake fluid, power steering etc.?
Thanks.
msommers
04-25-2011, 04:24 PM
Oil and P/S fluid I'm not sure about but the rest of the fluids you listed should all be changed out, plus coolant.
ercchry
04-25-2011, 04:24 PM
more or less all fluids can be tested to see if they need to be changed or not, i would cruise by acura and get them to check it out
J-hop
04-25-2011, 05:13 PM
it is tough to say when the car isn't being used much, but I would use your other cars as bench marks for when you should have the fluid changed.
coolant will rarely have to be changed unless you are filling with tap water or something which isn't a good idea IMO due to calgary's hard water whether you are driving it or not.
My main concern would be brake fluid because it is hygroscopic so whether you are driving it or not it is going to deteriorate due to moisture absorption (a 3% water concentration will decrease the dot4 boiling temp by almost 50%!!).
Not sure how hygroscopic engine oil is but I would personally change it twice a year regardless. That is my rule of thumb for my VR and i put less than 10,000 a year on it.
mugensix
04-26-2011, 12:17 AM
If the engine oil sits for more than 2 months in my pan without start up, i usually just change it.
For diffs, im sure the NSX doesnt have any, seeing that its RWD with Mid engine design, so i think its just the transmission, if im correct! so dont quote me ha ha..
For tranny, i would do right about now, 30 000km seems alright to me, P/S probably isnt broken down yet, and Brake fluid, depending on your driving habits, might need a flush out, on that one i would consult a mechanic!
Mugensix
heavyD
04-26-2011, 09:57 AM
I would definately change the differential fluid and possibly the transmission fluid. Probably bet to have a competent tech with NSX experience check the other fluids and advise.
shadowz
04-26-2011, 10:00 AM
Originally posted by heavyD
I would definately change the differential fluid and possibly the transmission fluid. Probably bet to have a competent tech with NSX experience check the other fluids and advise.
Agreed and if you still down the car 4 years down the road, timing belt and pump should be changed due to age not mileage
max_boost
04-26-2011, 02:15 PM
Who do you guys recommend? Where's Jim and Howard lol
I searched NSXprime and found a lot of things that need to be done.
Oil/filter
Air cleaner filter
Coolant
Transmission fluid
Brake fluid
Spark plugs
Fuel filter and hoses
Anti-lock brake system hose
Timing belt (can wait maybe another 1-2 years but might as well)
I'm guessing that's going to cost me around $1k? Cost isn't the concern I just need it done right. I was debating Acura but not sure.
shadowz
04-26-2011, 04:02 PM
Originally posted by max_boost
Who do you guys recommend? Where's Jim and Howard lol
I searched NSXprime and found a lot of things that need to be done.
Oil/filter
Air cleaner filter
Coolant
Transmission fluid
Brake fluid
Spark plugs
Fuel filter and hoses
Anti-lock brake system hose
Timing belt (can wait maybe another 1-2 years but might as well)
I'm guessing that's going to cost me around $1k? Cost isn't the concern I just need it done right. I was debating Acura but not sure.
Add cabin filter as well if that hasnt been done, I usually change one each season, Calgary is pretty filthy
A2VR6
04-26-2011, 04:35 PM
If this helps at all, in the past year and a half I put about 2000km on my s2k and after changing the oil at the 12 month mark I sent it to blackstone labs to be analyzed and they said there was tons of life left in it, only trace amount of fuel, and no water. They even suggested pushing it to a 18 month interval and this was with amsoil
J-hop
04-26-2011, 05:32 PM
Originally posted by A2VR6
If this helps at all, in the past year and a half I put about 2000km on my s2k and after changing the oil at the 12 month mark I sent it to blackstone labs to be analyzed and they said there was tons of life left in it, only trace amount of fuel, and no water. They even suggested pushing it to a 18 month interval and this was with amsoil
on a side note how much does the testing cost and how long does it take? i've always wanted to try it and will likely do that with my project car as the old looking at the color and transparency method, although fine for the average person, seems pretty archaic to me hahaha.
A2VR6
04-26-2011, 11:49 PM
Originally posted by J-hop
on a side note how much does the testing cost and how long does it take? i've always wanted to try it and will likely do that with my project car as the old looking at the color and transparency method, although fine for the average person, seems pretty archaic to me hahaha.
Testing costs 25 US per sample. You can get a free test kit which includes a container and labels for your sample. It takes 1-2 weeks for them to give you your results.
Thats through Blackstone which is in Indiana... I believe theres more local places (in Edmonton) but the name escapes me right now.
M.alex
04-27-2011, 01:20 AM
This isn't 1940 anymore - I don't think you need to be changing spark plugs and coolant unless there's a reason to.
If it were me I would just change the oil once a year at the beginning of driving season and that's it.
Originally posted by mugensix
If the engine oil sits for more than 2 months in my pan without start up, i usually just change it.
Only on beyond :rofl:
ExtraSlow
04-27-2011, 06:38 AM
Originally posted by M.alex
If it were me I would just change the oil once a year at the beginning of driving season and that's it.
Probably better to change it at the END of the driving season, so your car is stored with clean oil. But yeah, once a year is plenty.
Also, Oil isn't hygroscopic, but water does get in due to condensation. That water is boiled out when your car is up at full operating temp. That's one of the reasons that short trips are hard on vehicles.
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