Looking for expert advice on maintaining and repairing your Honda? Our Honda category is dedicated to questions and guides specific to Honda vehicles. From Civic and Accord maintenance tips to troubleshooting engine lights and transmission concerns, we provide practical insights to keep your Honda performing at its best.
2018 Honda Accord: The most common problem owners report The most common problem reported with the 2018 Honda Accord is repeated 12‑volt battery drain leading to no‑start conditions, often traced to parasitic electrical draw from the infotainment or driver‑assistance modules. Owners frequently describe dead batteries after short parking periods, slow cranking, and recurring low‑voltage warnings, …
Is a 2008 Honda a good car? Generally yes—many 2008 Hondas, especially the Civic, CR‑V, and Fit, remain solid used-car buys if they’ve been well maintained; however, age-related wear and several model-specific issues (notably on some Accords, Civics, and Odysseys) mean condition, service history, and completed recalls are more important than the badge alone. This …
Can You Turbo a Honda S2000? Yes—turbocharging a Honda S2000 is absolutely possible, and with the right parts, tuning, and supporting upgrades, owners commonly see 300–400 wheel horsepower on stock internals. That said, the S2000’s high-compression F20C/F22C engines demand careful tuning, quality fuel, and realistic expectations to preserve reliability, drivability, and legality on public roads. …
Are 2017 CVT Transmissions Reliable? In 2017 models, CVT reliability is mixed: Toyota and Honda units are generally dependable, Subaru’s are improved and acceptable, while several Nissan (Jatco) applications show higher-than-average complaint rates and repair risk. The answer largely depends on the brand, specific model, maintenance history, and use conditions, with CVTs still tending to …
Locating Cylinder 3 on a 2011 Honda Odyssey Cylinder 3 on a 2011 Honda Odyssey (3.5L V6) is on the rear bank of the engine—closest to the firewall—at the driver-side end of that bank. On Honda’s J35 V6 layout, cylinders 1–2–3 run across the rear (firewall) bank from passenger to driver, and cylinders 4–5–6 run …
Is Honda SAE 10W-30 Oil Synthetic? It depends on the specific Honda product. Honda sells SAE 10W-30 oils in multiple formulations: some are conventional (mineral), others are semi-synthetic (synthetic blend), and a few are full synthetic. The bottle label will clearly state “Full Synthetic” or “Synthetic Blend” if applicable; if it does not, it’s typically …
What Tires Come Standard on a Honda Civic There isn’t a single “one-size-fits-all” tire for the Honda Civic; the standard tires depend on model year, trim, and market. In the current U.S.-spec lineup, most mainstream Civic trims ship with all-season tires in 16-, 17-, or 18-inch sizes, while the high-performance Civic Type R comes with …
How to Replace the Brake Light on a 2012 Honda Civic To replace a brake light on a 2012 Honda Civic, open the trunk, pull back the interior liner behind the tail lamp, twist the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it, swap in a new 7443 dual‑filament bulb, and reassemble; the center high‑mount brake light …
How much does it cost to replace a catalytic converter on a Honda? Expect to pay roughly $900 to $2,500 for most Honda catalytic converter replacements in the U.S., parts and labor included. Costs can be lower (around $600 to $900) with non-CARB aftermarket parts where legal, and much higher—$2,500 to $5,000+—for V6 models with …
Is Honda coming out with a wagon? As of August 2025, Honda has not announced a new station wagon for major markets, and there is no confirmed revival of Civic or Accord wagon variants. The brand’s last true wagon, the Japan‑market Honda Shuttle, ended production in 2022. Honda’s family-hauling focus remains on hatchbacks, crossovers, SUVs, …
How to Tell If Your Honda’s Power Steering Pump Is Failing Look for a high-pitched whine that rises with engine speed and when you turn the wheel, heavier-than-normal steering (especially at low speeds), foamy or low fluid in the reservoir, and visible leaks around the pump or hoses; confirm by ruling out air leaks (notably …
Are Honda parts expensive to replace? Generally, no: most Honda parts are moderately priced and widely available, making routine replacements cheaper than many European brands and comparable to Toyota and Mazda. However, complex components—such as modern transmissions, advanced driver-assistance sensors, catalytic converters, and hybrid or EV batteries—can be expensive, and labor rates can push totals …
Which Honda Prelude Has VTEC? Most Honda Preludes with VTEC are from the fourth and fifth generations: in Japan, VTEC arrived with the 1991 Si VTEC/SiR; in North America, it debuted with the 1993–1996 “Prelude VTEC” trim; and from 1997–2001, all U.S. Preludes (Base and Type SH) used DOHC VTEC. Earlier generations did not use …
How much oil does a 2012 2.4-liter engine take? Most 2012-model 2.4-liter engines take between 4.4 and 5.5 U.S. quarts (roughly 4.2–5.2 liters) of oil with a new filter, but the exact capacity depends on the vehicle make, model, and engine variant. For example, many Honda/Acura 2.4L engines use about 4.4–4.6 quarts, GM’s 2.4L Ecotec …
Can you drive a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid without the hybrid battery? Generally, no: the 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid is not designed to operate without its high-voltage hybrid battery. With a failed but still-connected pack, the car may start using a small backup 12-volt starter and limp short distances, but with the battery physically removed …
Which engine is best for a pressure washer? The best all‑around gasoline engine for a pressure washer is the Honda GX series (notably GX200, GX270, and GX390) thanks to its durability, easy starting, wide parts availability, and strong dealer network; for pro-grade, high-flow units, the Honda GX390 or GX630 are standouts, while Kohler Command Pro …
What kind of oil does a 2017 Honda take? Most 2017 Honda gasoline models specify SAE 0W-20 engine oil, ideally full synthetic, meeting API SP (or SN) and ILSAC GF-6 (or GF-5) standards; this is printed on the oil cap and in the owner’s manual. In practice, that means any high-quality 0W-20 oil with the …
What headlights does a 2004 Honda Civic use? Most 2004 Honda Civic sedans, coupes, hybrids, and GX models use 9006 (HB4) bulbs for the low beams and 9005 (HB3) bulbs for the high beams. The 2004 Civic Si hatchback uses a single dual‑filament H4 (also labeled 9003/HB2) bulb that serves as both low and high …
Does a 2001 Honda Civic LX Have VTEC? No. In the U.S. and Canada, the 2001 Honda Civic LX does not have VTEC; it uses the D17A1 1.7‑liter SOHC non‑VTEC engine. For that model year, VTEC was reserved for the EX (performance‑oriented SOHC VTEC) and the HX (fuel‑saving VTEC‑E). Trim names and engines can differ …
Common Problems With the 2001 Honda Civic LX The 2001 Honda Civic LX is generally regarded as durable, but owners commonly report issues with the automatic transmission, Takata airbag recalls, suspension bushings, exhaust manifold cracking, engine and transmission mounts, EVAP leaks that trigger check-engine lights, HVAC blower and A/C components, power window regulators, and paint …
How to Enter the Radio Code on a 2004 Honda Civic Turn the ignition to ON, switch the radio on until it displays “CODE,” then press the five preset buttons (1–6) that match your 5‑digit Honda anti‑theft code; the radio will start playing immediately after the last digit if the code is correct. If you …
Is the 2004 Honda Accord a good year? Generally yes—especially in four-cylinder form—provided maintenance is documented and recalls are completed; the V6 with automatic transmission is the main caution area due to higher failure rates. The 2004 model sits in the well-regarded seventh-generation Accord (2003–2007), known for its balanced ride, roomy interior, and long-term durability, …
How Much Is a Headlight Bulb for a Honda Fit? A replacement headlight bulb for a Honda Fit typically costs $12–30 per halogen bulb (about $20–60 per pair), while quality LED retrofit bulbs generally run $40–120 per pair; if your car uses a factory LED headlamp unit (rare on U.S. Fits), the entire assembly can …
Engine Details of the 2013 Honda Civic Type R The 2013-era Honda Civic Type R was developed around a 2.0-liter turbocharged DOHC i-VTEC inline-four (K20C series), marking the first time Honda equipped a Type R with a turbocharged engine; earlier Type R models used a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder. While a full production Civic …
1994 Honda Civic Hatchback: Common Problems, Symptoms, and What Owners Should Watch The 1994 Honda Civic hatchback is widely regarded as durable, but age and mileage have revealed recurring issues: corrosion (especially in rust-belt regions), ignition and relay-related no-starts, oil and coolant leaks, worn suspension bushings and ball joints, manual transmission bearing and synchro wear, …
When to Change Gear Oil in a Honda Scooter Most Honda scooters need their final-drive (gear) oil changed about every 12,000 km (7,500 miles) or 12–24 months, but the exact interval varies by model and market; always follow the schedule in your owner’s manual and shorten it if you ride in harsh conditions. In practice, …
Is a 2010 Honda Accord Coupe a good car? Yes—if you find a well-maintained example, the 2010 Honda Accord Coupe is a solid, comfortable, and generally reliable used car, with the 4‑cylinder models offering the best long-term dependability and the V6 (especially with a manual) delivering genuine performance. That said, prospective buyers should watch for …
How long should a Honda Pilot battery last? Most Honda Pilot batteries last about 3–5 years in everyday use; in mild climates with a high-quality AGM or EFB battery, 4–6 years is possible, while very hot climates or frequent short trips can shorten life to 2–3 years. The exact lifespan depends on climate, driving habits, …
Are 16‑inch hubcaps universal? No. While many aftermarket 16-inch “universal-fit” hubcaps are designed to fit most 16-inch steel wheels, they are not truly universal. Fit depends on factors like whether your wheel is steel or alloy, the retention system (clip-on vs. bolt-on), valve stem type, and the wheel’s lip profile. Checking these details—and ideally test-fitting—prevents …
Do You Need a Car in Downtown Chicago? For most people, no—a car is usually unnecessary in downtown Chicago. The core is dense and walkable, the CTA’s trains and buses cover the area well (with 24/7 Red and Blue lines), ride-hailing and taxis are abundant, and parking is expensive and scarce. That said, a car …