3 Signs Your Honda Needs a Transmission Service

As your Honda dealership, we provide a complete range of services to keep your Honda in great shape. Parts will inevitably wear out or fail, potentially causing additional damage if not repaired. We'd like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for Honda maintenance. more Thudding Noises If you hear thudding noises when driving, this could mean one or both of your engine mounts are damaged. The engine mounts are made from tough rubber and are filled with liquid. The mounts anchor your engine securely to the frame, and their liquid filling helps absorb vibrations from the surface that could damage the engine. They also muzzle the engine vibrations caused by combustion and the movement of countless engine components. In time, the rubber mounts can crack, and the liquid will seep out. If this happens, your engine will move up and down when driving, causing a thudding noise as it hits the frame on the way down. The engine can't tear loose from the damaged mounts, but it will suffer unnecessary wear and tear due to the constant movement. We'll examine the mounts and replace them if they're damaged. Rattling From the Converter The catalytic converter is connected to the exhaust system and converts dangerous, toxic engine gases into harmless gases and water. This reduces pollution when the newly converted gases leave the tailpipe. The converter is a relatively tough component, only requiring replacement after approximately eight years. The converter uses crushing pressure, intense heat, and chemical reactions to convert the gases. If your converter is failing, it can overheat. The converter's interior has a honeycomb structure to provide the largest possible surface area for conversion. Excessive heat can crack the honeycomb, and pieces will break off and rattle inside the converter as you drive. We can't repair this damage, but we can replace the converter to fix the problem. Hard Brake Pedal When you push on the brake pedal, you feel resistance, which grows as you exert more pressure. The resistance is normal and is caused by pressurized brake fluid. If you hit the brakes and the pedal barely moves, the excessive resistance is caused by the failure of a braking component called the brake pedal booster. The booster is located behind the brake pedal and uses a vacuum system to magnify the force you exert 10x. This enables you to apply the brakes without excessive effort. If the booster is damaged, usually due to a leak in the vacuum system, braking will become slower and more tiring due to the extra effort you must exert. We'll examine the booster and repair or replace it to fix this issue. If your Honda isn't working as well as it should, contact us today at Coeur d'Alene Honda in Coeur d'Alene, ID.

As a driver, you're no doubt aware that changing your motor oil is a vital part of diligent vehicle maintenance. Keeping the oil fresh is so important that missing even one oil change can cause irreparable harm to the engine, which will shorten the lifespan of your entire car. Here are five significant reasons that you should visit your local Honda dealer at least twice a year to refresh your oil. more Oil Cleans Your Engine Motor oil performs a remarkable number of functions, keeping your engine working at maximum capacity. One thing it does is clean metal fragments and other contaminants into the oil filter. If you neglect to change your oil, the filter and oil will fill up with debris and thicken, which reduces its ability to clean and protect your engine. Oil Lubricates Your Engine The lubricating function of oil is the engine's defense against friction. Motor oil coats all the moving parts in a fine layer, allowing them to move against each other smoothly and easily, mile after mile. But as oil ages, it ceases to lubricate so easily, which allows friction to build, accelerating wear and tear. Oil Prevents Overheating Internal combustion engines use a continual succession of explosions to power the car, which generates a good deal of heat. But the temperature must be kept under control; excessive heat can destroy an engine in short order. Both the cooling system and motor oil work to reduce the engine's heat. Without either one, you're putting your engine and car at risk. Oil Combats Rust and Corrosion Modern synthetic motor oil contains powerful anti-rust qualities that keep the many metal parts from deteriorating. This is one reason why it's never wise to let your car sit unused for too long; the engine must be running for the oil to flow, coat, and protect its various parts. It's also unwise to neglect to refresh your oil, which gradually loses its ability to prevent corrosion as it ages. Oil Lengthens Your Engine's Lifespan Honda engines can run for 250,000 miles and even farther when well-maintained. However, forgetting to change the oil on time diminishes this impressive lifespan. By routinely refreshing the oil, you're also maintaining the value of the car should you ever wish to sell it. Book Biannual Oil Servicing at Your Honda Dealer The rule of thumb for changing motor oil is twice a year. The optimal interval can vary from driver to driver, so it's a good idea to consult on this with a trusted technician. We can arrange a personalized servicing schedule that suits your busy lifestyle, combining maintenance services as needed for optimal time efficiency. Our technicians can also send you courteous reminders whenever it comes time to change your oil. Schedule your first oil service today at Coeur d'Alene Honda in Coeur d'Alene, ID. We've been serving the local community's drivers with great vehicles and maintenance services since 1968.

To drive as safely as possible, your vehicle should be in the best condition it can be in. Everything from your engine and brakes to your tires needs to be taken care of at the local Honda dealership. There are many forms of tire service that you need to get to make sure your tires are in the best shape. more Tire Pressure Making sure your tires are inflated enough, but never too much, is essential for road safety. This is because the amount of air you have in your tires can influence your driving. It's easy to damage tires when they're overinflated, and a small obstacle that wouldn't impact properly inflated tires may cause a puncture.  If your tires are underinflated, then you are at risk of a blowout, and your tires won't wear down evenly. Check your owner's manual, and see what psi your tires should be kept at. If the pressure drops, visit the dealer to get more air pumped in. Cars also handle better when the tires are neither over nor underinflated. Wheel Alignment As you drive, your wheels gradually move out of alignment. The tires may not be in line with each other or with the centerline of your car. You need wheel alignments to adjust the angles of your wheels, so your tires can have even contact with the road surface, giving you the most traction possible for optimum safety. Tire Rotation When your tires wear down evenly, they last longer and provide a smoother ride with an even amount of traction across the entire surface of the tire. To make sure they wear down evenly, you need to get a tire rotation approximately every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, but this may vary depending on your specific car model. Generally, though, the tires need to be rotated twice a year so they can provide the most traction, making your right safer. Tire Balancing If your vehicle doesn't put the same amount of weight on all of your tires, then your ride won't be as comfortable as it should be. You'll feel more vibrations coming from your wheels, and your car just won't be as safe as it could be. Going to a highly qualified mechanic, such as those who work at your local dealership, to get new tires installed is vital. That way, you'll ensure tire balancing is done as part of the normal installation process, so you won't have any issues. Tread Depth Make sure you measure your tread regularly. When your tread gets too shallow, your tires can't perform as optimally as they should. Deeper tread grips the road better, so when your tread gets shallower than 2/32 of an inch, it's time for a new set of tires. Come to Coeur d'Alene Honda in d'Alene, ID for all your tire care needs. Make sure you also come by for all your other car maintenance needs, too.