Honda Service Frequently Ask Questions
Why should you service your car at our Honda dealership instead of going to a privately owned vendor?
There are a few reasons why bringing your vehicle into a Honda dealership is better than the next privately owned vendor:
Certified Trained Honda Technicians
At Kingsway Honda, our technicians are manufacturer trained, meaning they understand how a Honda vehicle works more than anyone else. Our technicians are trained throughout the year as new models are released. We specialize in working on Honda vehicles whereas the non-dealership mechanic may see one Honda every 6-8 vehicles he works on.
Genuine Honda Parts
Genuine Honda Parts are made with high-quality materials and are specifically designed to fit, function properly and perform for a long time. Our dealership carries many parts at competitive prices. If for some reason we don't have the part you're looking for, we have the ability to overnight the part.
Peace of Mind
Above anything else, bringing your vehicle to a certified Honda dealership like Kingsway Honda means knowing your vehicle will be treated with care and properly fixed to manufacturer's standards.
We service all makes and all models because vehicle maintenance is important no matter what you drive! Our trained and certified automotive technicians are skilled in all vehicle repair and service types. We are committed to being transparent and upfront about our products and services. Our service center is open Monday to Saturday from 7AM – 6PM.
What's the importance of a maintenance schedule?
Your car's maintenance or service schedule is a timeline for what parts or fluids should get replaced or updated based on the kilometres driven. Some factors that may change the maintenance schedule include local driving conditions and driver's behaviour. Maintaining your vehicle and sticking to the factory-recommended maintenance schedule can increase resale value, ensure reliability and maximize the longevity of your vehicle.
Service
Air Conditioning: Inspect Operation
Procedure
Check for proper air-out temperature. If abnormal, check heater adjustment, check operating pressure, and recharge or repair as necessary.
Benefit
Ensure proper operation of the air conditioning system for both cooling and defogging operations.
Service
Air Intake: Replace Air Cleaner Element
Procedure
Check for proper air-out temperature. If abnormal, check heater adjustment, check operating pressure, and recharge or repair as necessary.
Benefit
Ensure proper operation of the air conditioning system for both cooling and defogging operations.
Service
Air Intake: Inspect Air-Temp Control System (Carbureted Models)
Procedure
Check the condition of the vacuum actuator that controls the air mix door.
Benefit
Inspection of the Air-Temperature control system on carbureted models will ensure that the unit is operating properly. This system maintains proper air temperature going into the engine to prevent carburetor icing.
Service
Alternator: Inspect Drive Belt
Procedure
Measure the belt tension, check for wear and adjust if necessary.
Benefit
Inspect belt for damage, wear and proper tension to guard against belt slipping and/or premature failure. Helps maintain battery charge. Prevents belt squeal.
Service
Brakes: Replace ABS High Pressure Hose
Procedure
Relieve high pressure. Remove old hose and install new one. Flush and bleed system with Genuine Honda brake fluid.
Benefit
This increases the reliability of the Anti-lock braking system (ABS). The flexible hose is subjected to high pressure and a loss of pressure would cause the ABS to go into backup mode.
Service
Brakes: Replace Brake Fluid With Genuine Honda Brake Fluid (Including Anti-lock Braking System)
Procedure
Remove fluid from brake master cylinder. Add new Genuine Honda brake fluid, flush the system and bleed each wheel cylinder. Remove fluid, refill, and bleed ABS system.
Benefit
Replacing the brake fluid helps to maintain proper hydraulic function of the braking system. This removes water from the system to prevent rusting.
Service
Brakes: Inspect Discs, Pads, And Calipers
Procedure
Remove wheels and inspect discs for wear. Measure pad thickness. Check for free caliper movement.
Benefit
This should ensure satisfactory operation of brakes. Should determine friction material condition so the customer can be advised to prevent brake pads from wearing down to the backing plate.
Service
Brakes: Inspect Hoses And Lines
Procedure
Brake hoses inspected for damage, leaks, interference, and twisting. Brake lines checked for damage, rusting, leakage, and bends. Brake joints and connections checked for leaks.
Benefit
Inspect brake hoses and lines for leaks or damage.
Service
Brakes: Inspect Rear Drums, Cylinders, And Linings
Procedure
Remove rear drums and inspect and measure shoe thickness. Clean brake dust and lube shoe to backing plate contact surfaces. Inspect drums for wear.
Benefit
Inspect the rear brake system. This should ensure that the brakes are operating properly and determine the thickness of the friction material. The wheel cylinders are also checked for leaking brake fluid.
Service
Clutch: Lubricate Pedal Spring, Bushing And Clevis Pin
Procedure
Visually check clutch pedal spring, bushings, and clevis pin for wear or lack of lubrication. Lubricate pedal and release arm pivots.
Benefit
This will maintain smooth operation of these clutch components and minimize their wear.
Service
Cooling System: Replace Engine Coolant
Procedure
Drain and flush old coolant from system. Add new Genuine Honda anti-freeze/water mixture in a 50/50 ratio.
Benefit
This maximizes radiator, engine, and water pump life.
Service
Cooling System: Inspect Hose\Connections
Procedure
Hoses and connections inspected for looseness, cracks, and deterioration.
Benefit
Inspect the hoses and connections for leaks or loss of coolant.
Service
Cooling System: Inspect Radiator Core And A/C Condenser
Procedure
Visually inspect radiator core and air conditioning condenser for signs of damage or corrosion.
Benefit
Inspect the radiator core and A/C condenser for visual leaks of coolant or refrigerant. Early detection can minimize damage to other associated components and minimize the cost of repair, if necessary.
Service
Cruise Control: Inspect Linkage And Hoses
Procedure
Check for smooth operation. Check hoses for signs of cracking and splitting.
Benefit
Inspect the cruise control linkage and hoses to ensure that they are operating the cruise control actuator properly.
Service
Distributor: Inspect Cap, Rotor, Ignition wires, And Timing
Procedure
Distributor cap removed and inspected. Wires and rotor checked for carbon build-up, cracks, or deterioration. Check ignition timing.
Benefit
Inspect the distributor cap, rotor and ignition wires to ensure that these components will deliver consistent voltage to the spark plugs. Detection and repair of a problem with one of these components should help maintain optimum engine performance.
Service
Engine: Replace Oil And Filter
Procedure
Remove engine drain plug and drain oil. Replace oil filter. Reinstall drain plug with new washer and tighten to proper torque.
Benefit
This will maximize engine life, replenish anti-wear additives and detergent levels to minimize wear or sludge build-up. Changing oil will minimize the build-up of contaminants formed as the results of the normal combustion process that can break down motor oil.
Service
Exhaust System: Inspect Catalytic Converter Heat Shield
Procedure
Inspect exhaust pipes and muffler. Inspect converter heat shield for condition and tightness.
Benefit
Inspect the catalytic converter heat shield to ensure it is tight and in good condition. This will protect the vehicle and the environment from the heat that the converter produces.
Service
Fluid Levels: Inspect
Procedure
Inspect for proper amount and condition of engine oil; differential, transfer case and shift on the fly fluid (if appropriate); transmission fluid; brake fluid; clutch fluid; power steering fluid (if appropriate); coolant; and window washing solution.
Benefit
Check all fluid amount and condition will maximize the car's reliability and minimize inconvenience.
Service
Fuel: Replace Fuel Filter
Procedure
Remove old fuel filters and install new filter.
Benefit
This should maintain clean and proper flow of fuel to engine. This should prevent poor performance and potential engine damage due to insufficient fuel.
Service
Fuel: Inspect Fuel Pipes, Hoses, And Connections
Procedure
Inspect fuel lines for loose connections, deterioration, and cracks.
Benefit
Inspect fuel lines and connections for leaks or damage to ensure the integrity of the fuel system.
Service
Idle: Inspect Idle Speed
Procedure
Adjust the idle speed, if necessary, when the engine is at operating temperature.
Benefit
Ensure that idle speed is within specifications. This should help maximize fuel economy and prevent premature brake wear on cars with automatic transmission.
Service
Lubricate: Inspect Drive Belt
Procedure
Apply proper amount of correct lubricant to hinges, seals, door strikers, parking brake linkage, hood latch, seat adjusters, and window channels.
Benefit
This minimizes noise from body movement during turns and when driving over bumps. This allows smoother operation of doors, trunk, and windows. This should prevent premature wear of body and chassis mounts.
Service
Oxygen Sensor: Replace
Procedure
Remove and replace oxygen sensor.
Benefit
An inoperative oxygen sensor will prevent the Engine Control Module (ECM) from adjusting the air fuel to the optimum level potentially causing the vehicle to emit excessive emissions.
Service
Parking Brake: Inspect And Lubricate
Procedure
Lift vehicle and turn rear wheels to make sure the brakes are not dragging. Adjust parking brake to the proper amount of free play and lubricate the linkage.
Benefit
Ensure that the parking brake is adjusted to proper clearance. Too much clearance will prevent full parking brake application. Too little clearance could accelerate brake wear.
Service
PVC Valve: Inspect
Procedure
Ensure that the parking brake is adjusted to proper clearance. Too much clearance will prevent full parking brake application. Too little clearance could accelerate brake wear.
Benefit
Inspect the PVC valve for clogging to minimize the possibility of oil leaks or adverse idle characteristics.
Service
Spark Plugs: Replace
Procedure
Remove old spark plugs and replace with new ones of the proper heat range and gap.
Benefit
Help maintain engine performance. Help maintain low emissions.
Service
Starter Safety Switch: Inspect
Procedure
Try to start the vehicle while the clutch is engaged with the vehicle in neutral.
Benefit
Ensure that the starter safety switch is operating properly to prevent starter motor operation when the clutch is not depressed.
Service
Steering: Inspect Power Steering System
Procedure
Test drive to confirm proper operation. Check the power steering fluid level and the steering rack for any leakage.
Benefit
Inspect the power steering system components and hoses for leaks and ensure that the system is operating properly.
Service
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS): Inspect
Procedure
Inspect the SRS components for signs of wear and SRS control unit for diagnostic trouble codes.
Benefit
Inspect the SRS components for visible signs of wear or damage to ensure the high degree of reliability designed into the system is maintained.
Service
Suspension: Inspect Components / Mounting Bolts
Procedure
Check critical suspension bolts with torque wrench to ensure they are properly tightened.
Benefit
Inspect critical suspension bolts for proper torque to prevent chassis noise.
Service
Timing and Balancer: Belt / Water Pump
Procedure
Replace the timing belt, balancer belt and water pump according to maintenance schedule. Replace the alternator, air conditioning and power steering belts.
Benefit
A broken timing belt or water pump can cause the engine to stop and potentially cause severe damage to the engine valves, cylinder head, and pistons.
Service
Transaxle: Inspect Drive Shaft Boots (CV Boots)
Procedure
Inspect Drive Shaft Boots (CV Boots)
Benefit
Inspect CV boots for leaks. Early detected leaks from CV boots can be repaired to minimize the potential of CV joint contamination and failure.
Service
Transmission: Replace Transmission Fluid
Procedure
Drain old transmission fluid. Refill with Genuine Honda transmission fluid.
Benefit
Replacing the transmission fluid at the proper interval maximizes transmission life.
Service
Transfer Case: Replace Transfer Case Fluid
Procedure
Drain old fluid and fill transfer case with the specific amount and proper type fluid.
Benefit
Replacing the transfer case fluid at the proper interval maximizes transfer case life.
Service
Valve Clearance: Inspect
Procedure
Remove the valve cover with the engine cold. Measure valve clearance and adjust if necessary.
Benefit
Inspect and adjust the valve clearance to decrease the chance of valve noise.
Service
Wheels: Rotate Tires
Procedure
Remove wheel/tire assembly and reinstall based on tire rotation recommendation in the owner's manual.
Benefit
Rotating the tires helps maximize tire life and minimize uneven tire wear.
Service
Wheels: Inspect Wheel Alignment (Front And Rear)
Procedure
Install vehicle on alignment rack. Check alignment for proper toe, caster, and camber.
Benefit
Wheel alignment will ensure that the wheels are properly aligned and should minimize uneven or accelerated tire wear.