Every 12,000 Miles:Check front-wheel drive axles/boots
* Check brakes and repack wheel bearings
* Inspect ignition wires, distributor cap and rotor
* Change air filter
* Change manual transmission/transaxle fluid
* Change differential fluid
* Change engine coolant (drain, flush and fill)
* Change PCV valve
* Change fuel filter
* Change spark plugs
TIMING
Try advancing your timing two to three degrees above the stock timing. This is done by moving the distributor a little. You should get a bit more horsepower, but make sure you use 91 octane (or the highest octane you find at the pump). Using lower octane can cause detonation.
Fantime Anytime
Your car has two fans: one primary and one secondary, only for when the AC is on. You can splice into the AC fan by wiring up 12-volt switch. Now you can turn the second fan on whenever you want to keep the engine running cooler.
Every Nookand Cranny
For car shows, it's extremely important that you clean off every single part on your car. From the body to the rims and right down to the fenderwells, judges will check these areas; if they aren't clean, you lose points! A simple way to clean off the fenderwell of your car is to use a de-greaser or a heavy-duty cleaner and spray directly onto the surface. Let the excess drip off with the wonders of gravity, and you've just gained back your 10 points on the score sheet.
To Repair Or Not To Repair
When you buy a used car, one of the first things you end up doing is fixing things the previous owner didn't want to deal with. To learn how to fix your new used car, you'll need a repair manual. Many people we know go cheap and buy a Haynes or Chilton manual. Take our word for it: The extra money for a factory manual is always worth it. A factory manual will not only contain more details and more diagrams, it will be more correct and specific to your year and model.
Another great resource for common car problems is the Internet. Someone out there has the same car as you do and more than likely has had the same problem. Sometimes these guys are helpful enough to make a Web site documenting the common fix. Other times, the information is found in forums. Forums have been taking over the Internet (as well as my life -CT).
Listen Carefully
There should be an audible "whoosh" when the gas cap is removed from a car equipped with an evaporative control system (charcoal vapor canister). No sound indicates a vacuum leak in one of the ECS hoses, and vacuum leaks degrade engine performance.
Extra Long Wrench
Sometimes the length of a wrench isn't long enough to provide all the torque you need. Just lock another one to the other end (open-end and close-end sides interlinked), and you'll get more torque for those hard nuts.
Parts, Please
When you have work done on your car that involves the installation of new parts, always ask to get your original parts back. Some shops will try to scam you by not replacing the worn parts but tweaking and cleaning up the old parts to make you think they did. Of course, the shops then bill you for the nonexistent new part. Getting your old part back ensures that there is a new one in there.
No H2O
Most people forget to cover up the electrical systems in their engine bay when steam-cleaning or detailing. Over time, the moisture can cause the electrical systems to short out. One way to prevent the untimely demise of your various electrical devices is to cover them with either foil or plastic wrap. Afterwards, you shouldn't have anymore problems.
Hondabond
Honda cam seals are notorious for warping/chipping, which leads to oil leaks. You can fix this by applying a little Hondabond sealant (can be found at your local Honda dealer) between the cam seal and cylinder head. Allow it to dry for a few minutes before starting your engine.
Rebuild It
When the time comes to replace your brake calipers, stop! True, you can go and purchase new ones, but that would mean empty pockets for you. You could also go the used route, but what if it's a shoddy set? A cost-effective way would be to purchase a caliper rebuild kit. Instructions are included and, best of all, you save a few bucks for yourself.
Cover Your Nuts
When you're installing new nuts and bolts, run a strip of masking tape around the nut, bolt or wrench head to prevent metal contact and thus avoid rounding off corners or damaging the plating. This also works to build up the corners of a rounded-off nut to help the wrench get a bite on it.
By Super Street Archives
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