2024 Civic & 2023 CX-5 - Maintenance Ideas

[NotATacoFL2]

Hello BITOG!

Let me stat my first post to say, I am not a DIYer. Nor do I have the wherewithal to work on my own vehicles. Thou I do like to know the process and will to the simple stuff, like swap the air filters. And any mods that doesn't involve any body work or soldering, I'd attempt it myself.

With that out of the way, I seek the all-knowing members' opinions of my maintenance plan. This post is a result of me asking the service advisor at the Honda dealer (recommended by the guy who runs Idlestopper) if it was fine if I can bring my own oil after using my last complimentary oil change. And he said yes! I immediately though of Liqui Mollygen, but was quickly steered by the Civic community to Mobil 1 Extended Performance, then finally to Valvoline Restore and Protect.

Now, I know everyone on here has their emotional support oil and oil filter they use. I've spent an entire day skimming threads and posts stating that 15400-PLM-A02 from Honda is merely adequate and that it doesn't compare to 15400-RTA-A03. Ditto the CX-5 and its Mazda Value oil filter. If if go ahead and bring my own oil, what should I document in order not to touch foul of the all mighty warranty?

For the Civic (currently at 20k miles) , this was the original plan, fluid wise:

• 5,000 mile or six months oil change interval with (what I assume is) 0W-20 Honda oil at the dealer
• 30,000 mile transmission drain-fill with Honda HCF-2 fluid
• MM on coolant and spark plugs

For the CX-5 (currently at 17k miles)

• Same 5,00 mile/6 month oil change interval (more like 3k miles, since someone else drives this vehicle and their daily commute is half mine) with Valvoline Synpower (what the dealer states)
• 30,000 mile on transmission, transfer case, and rear differential
• 60,000 miles (or whatever the CX-5 community says) on coolant and transmission filter swap

Any thoughts or criticisms about my plan?

And if you're wondering why I'm so worried about not voiding my warranty, I popped fuses on My Civic installing LED reverse lights. My luck is not that strong.

 

[GI_GRIFF]

Any thoughts or criticisms about my plan?

The plan you have is great. If you are really concerned about your dealer trying to get out of covering a warranty claim, stick to their engine oil and filters until the car warranty is finished. That is the bottom line. If you have a possible lubricant related failure anywhere in the drivetrain during the warranty period, using their oils and filters makes denial more difficult. That is not what I am doing on my current car under warranty, but I am a little crazy, and some may even say dumb.

 

[DCDG]

Fluids are good, but how about checking the battery and alternator changing out brake fluid and checking rotor/pad wear.

 

[NotATacoFL2]

The plan you have is great. If you are really concerned about your dealer trying to get out of covering a warranty claim, stick to their engine oil and filters until the car warranty is finished. That is the bottom line. If you have a possible lubricant related failure anywhere in the drivetrain during the warranty period, using their oils and filters makes denial more difficult. That is not what I am doing on my current car under warranty, but I am a little crazy, and some may even say dumb.

Thanks! Trust me, I do make crazy and dumb decisions on both cars. Heck, when I though I saw battery acid leaking on the Civic, I used it as an excuse to swap the Honda EFB to an Odyssey AGM, only for that battery to die in five months. Thank goodness for warranty.

Fluids are good, but how about checking the battery and alternator changing out brake fluid and checking rotor/pad wear.

Speaking of the battery, I've been meaning to buy a multimeter after the premature death of my AGM. Though I do have an OBDII gauge that I monitor voltage on. As for brake fluid, I do check that when I check the dipstick every other time. So far, I only do visual checks on brake fluid and rotors.

And speaking of dipsticks, I'm sorely tempted to swap the Civic's out, after discovering an aftermarket one for the Type R, only to find the low level marker is in a different spot...

 

[DCDG]

I've been meaning to buy a multimeter after the premature death of my AGM.

I would suggest saving your money on the multimeter you can own one not a bad idea having one but for accurate battery diagnostics go with a battery tester.

 

[Nessism1]

Batteries are "forget until failure". Typically 5 years or so.

How long are you going to keep these vehicles? If the answer is forever, then I support the 6mo/5k change interval. If you will trade these vehicles before 150k, then I'd just follow the Maintenance minder. Typically 10k oil changes.

 

[NotATacoFL2]

Batteries are "forget until failure". Typically 5 years or so.

How long are you going to keep these vehicles? If the answer is forever, then I support the 6mo/5k change interval. If you will trade these vehicles before 150k, then I'd just follow the Maintenance minder. Typically 10k oil changes.

I planned on keeping both at least 10 years. As for the battery, I thought to swap it due to my hardwired dashcam for parking mode (and the fact that the Civic has start-stop). I won't swap the battery in the CX-5 until that fails.

And don't get me started on the 0W-20 vs 5W-30 debate I see on both cars...