6 Car Maintenance Tips for the Non Mechanic | Charlotte Area Honda Dealer

 

Oil Level
Depending on the make, year and model of a car, the average oil change comes every 3,000 to 7,000 miles. Without proper oil maintenance, the engine may seize and constitute a much larger bill than a regularly scheduled oil change.

In between changes, check your oil by taking a rag, pulling out the dipstick and wiping it clean. Reinsert the dipstick and pull it out to get a reading on oil level. There will be markings for an acceptable range to help determine whether you need a top off or change.

Tire Pressure
Once a month, use a tire gauge to ensure you’re maintaining a proper pressure. You can find the desired level in the owner’s manual and often in the door jam, fuel door or glove compartment.

If the pressure is too low, tires wear quicker and more gas is used. If too high, tires wear easily and have less grip on the road.
 
Tire Treading
Feel the treading of your tires for any height differentiation or smooth areas. If there are any irregularities, you may be able to preserve tires for a longer period by getting them rotated. If there is extreme wearing or signs of damage, you should take your car in to a service center to avoid flat tires and other dangerous situations.

Air Filter
Owner’s manuals will have recommended timing for filter replacements to keep your car air intake and exhaust emission ideal. With a clogged filter, cars lose fuel efficiency and power. The Internet provides how-to’s in checking air filters if you’re unsure a change is required.

Car Fluids
While most people just consider gas and windshield fluid, there are a number of fluids needed to run a car, including brake fluid, engine oil, radiator/engine coolant and antifreeze, transmission fluid and power steering fluid.

All fluids can be topped off at a service station and typically are during an oil change. Washer fluid is easily filled by yourself but for other fluids, AutoUpkeep.com offers advice, recommendations and how-to’s.

Drive Time
This is most pertinent for those storing cars for long periods of time, such as a deployment. Idle cars have to be started and run for a certain amount of time on a regular basis in order to keep everything working properly and ensure that when you return it’s ready to be used again.

A healthy battery can last up to three months without a car being started, but without a consistent start up, condensation may accumulate and rust out the engine. It’s recommended a car be started at least once a week and run for 10 to 15 minutes.

Honda Accord and Odyssey Named Best Family Cars for 2014 | McKenney Salinas

The 2014 Honda Accord (www.automobiles.honda.com/Accord) and 2014 Odyssey minivan (www.automobiles.honda.com/Odyssey) have both been named to the 10 Best Family Cars list compiled by the experts at Parents magazine and Edmunds.com. The two family-friendly Honda vehicles – each earning the highest possible rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) - were selected out of hundreds of models for excelling in the key areas of safety, convenience features, performance and value.

"The Accord and Odyssey lead their segments in the areas that matter most to the family buyer – safety ratings, fuel efficiency, value and innovative features," said Jeff Conrad, Honda division senior vice president and general manager. "As the top vehicles in their segments in sales to individual buyers, we know families appreciate the hard work we've put into making these vehicles value and performance leaders."

The Accord was recognized as one of the top sedans for families by Parents magazine and Edmunds.com for the second straight year. The Accord features sophisticated styling, fuel-efficient powertrains and advanced technology features like the available LaneWatch™ display and a standard multi-view rearview camera. With safety a top shopping consideration for families, the Accord shined by earning the highest possible rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and nabbing the best possible rating from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) testing with a 5 Star Overall Vehicle Score.¹

The Odyssey was also recognized as one of the best minivans for families on the 10 Best Family Cars annual list. As the top-selling minivan to individual retail car buyers in the U.S.², the Odyssey continues to lead its class in the areas that families look for when selecting a vehicle like fuel efficiency, safety, interior spaciousness and driving experience. The Odyssey was the only minivan to earn the highest possible rating of IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+³, and the Odyssey has earned the best possible overall safety rating from NHTSA with a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score¹. Additionally, the Odyssey is rated at a remarkable 28 mpg⁴ highway, the highest EPA fuel economy rating of any eight-passenger minivan.

For more information about Parents magazine and Edmunds.com's list of the 10 Best Family Cars for 2014, please visit www.parents.com and www.edmunds.com. The full list will be featured in the July 2014 issue of Parents magazine.

About Honda
Honda offers a complete lineup of cars and trucks through a network of more than 1,000 dealerships in the United States. In 2014, Honda celebrated its 20 millionth vehicle produced in the U.S., using domestic and globally sourced parts. Honda currently operates 15 major manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, power equipment products, engines and transmissions.

¹Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). Model tested with standard side airbags (SABs).
²Based on IHS Automotive, Polk new-vehicle retail registration data through the end of December 2013.
³The Odyssey was the only minivan to qualify as a 2014 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ as of March 1, 2014 and the Odyssey has earned the best possible overall safety rating from NHTSA with a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score.
⁴Based on 2014 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Source: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?g=honda-automobiles&id=7758-en