Several questions on 100K+ maintenance

[BenjiBoy650]

Well after 100K the manual get's kinda iffy. My manual stops at 120K, so what does Honda expect after that? Is the car supposed to just die at 120K? How should I proceed with maintenance after 120K? I'm thinking I should just go back to 0 and start over basically. For instance a 30K service would be performed at 150K. Good idea or no?

Also, what is exactly done in the 120K major service? I've gotten quotes from $340 to $600+. Well, I tallied up all the parts from the maintenance list I see on OwnerLink, and it comes out to not more than $130. 5 quarts of oil, filter, drain plug washer, tranny/PS/brake/coolant/clutch/washer fluid, air cleaner, A/C filter, and spark plugs. Am I missing anything here?

Also, do any of you have Helm manuals? I know the Prince uses (or is supposed to use) one at work. Are they okay for the DIYer? Or are they really assuming that you know a lot? I was going to get one for Christmas but at that time was still debating on whether to sell the car.

[benjamming]

The owner's manual says when to do everything forever. For example, the tranny should be drained 4x @ 60k miles & then every 30k miles thereafter for severe service. (I'm changing mine every 15k miles.) The brake fluid every 3 miles, mileage independent. Oil... well that's another website. Air filters every 30k. Coolant @ 120k miles or 10 years & then every 60k miles or 5 years. I wonder if this outrageously long coolant time is as far off base as the AT fluid. T-belt every 105k miles.

I have the Helms manual & V6 supplement. I haven't had to replace an axle or anything yet, but if you're mechanically inclined the book is great. If you're not mechanically inclined you might want help with the repairs anyway. Whoever helps you should really appreciate the manual. The new ones are pricey though, but I plan on keeping the car for a few hundred thousand miles though. It's a good investment.

[BenjiBoy650]

Wow you need a supplement too!! I think that comes out to like what $140 + shipping geeze. But I guess it will save me a lot especially if I plan to be doing that 120K service myself :) Funny you mentioned the axles, mine need to be replaced, same with the clutch. Probably will be the dealer though unless my school's autoshop can help me out.

[princess]

I think the only supplement for the 4 cyl would be the electrical. (wire diagrams) Unless you have an aptitude in that area, I wouldn't bother with it.

At work about the only thing shop manuals are generally used for is torque specs & toubleshooting. After a bizzillion years you know how to take them apart & put them back together. Well, sometimes interior stuff needs a look for the reminder since they can vary so much...

[BenjiBoy650]

I doubt anyone follows the torque specs...lol. Even the Honda factory doesn't.

[princess]

As one of 5 year old grandsons would say, "that's the difference between a technician & a mechanic....";)