2000 Honda Accord

[Miramonti]

I just started doing some light maintenance on this car (6-cyl) for the first time. Its low miles (50k) and hasn't needed much more than oil changes, topping off fluids, and breaks til now.

Now that I've decided I'm going to do as much as I can for it myself, I've got a few questions.

1) Spark Plugs. I changed the spark plugs to Bosch Platinum +4's. I didn't do any research tho. Are these a good choice? I believe stock are NGK platinums.

2) Fluids. I want to flush the transmission and radiator. What do people do with these fluids once they are drained. I'd like to be more conscientious than drain the radiator fluid into the street or tub (probably illegal), but I assume its a fairly large amount too. Obviously the transmission fluid needs to be dispensed somewhere.

3) Transmission: When the automatic transmission changes gears, it pauses or interrupts the momentum of the car noticeably more than usual (recognizably these last few months or so.) Would simply changing the fluid (for the first time) help this, or should it be taken in and looked at by a specialist? (fwiw, there are no leaks in the transmission)

4) Waxing. What's the best *value* for car wax. I want a decent wax but don't want to spend more than $20 on it. (can't spend much now.)

 

[KIAman]

1. Those plugs are good. Plugs quality above OEM don't really matter for this car.
2. Drain them into a container and drop them off at a local auto store or mechanic. Hell, my wallmart takes them.
3. If you are changing the fluid yourself, you need to do it at least 3 times to get as much of the old fluid out, unless you have access to a flush machine. If this is the first time you changed your ATF, then most likely the pausing will go away once you change it. If you notice slipping or hard to change gears, then you most likely have a mechanical failure.
4. What is your goal for a wax? Looks? Protection? For $20, pretty much any off the shelf wax will be the same. Meguires and Turtle Wax are popular. Just keep in mind, prepping the car is going to contribute the most to the looks, not the wax.

 

[BW86]

1. I wouldn't spend the money on +4's, just get the recommended plug

2. I wouldn't flush the transmision, a simple drain and fill will be good enough - the cooling system on the other hand can benefit from a complete flush. I usually dispose of all my fluids at the local gas station.

3. I would replace the fluid first and if the transmission is still acting up I'd bring it in.

4. I don't know much about wax, though I've been using Meguiars for some time now.

 

[thomsbrain]

1. As long you keep using platinum plugs, it should be fine, but did you read your owner's manual? The plugs in my 03 V6 (very similar engine) are good 105K miles. Also I hope you torqued them to the right specs with a torque wrench.

2. Many auto parts stores will take at least some fluids, but not all of them. My local Kragen will take the auto transmission fluid but not the coolant. I have to go to my county recycle transfer station for that. You can just put it into a series of milk jugs or whatever you have lying around, but make sure you have a big enough catch pan to get it all coming out of the car (could be 10 liters or so for coolant).

3. I really hate to say this, but your transmission may be dying. They are notorious on your generation (and mine) of V6's. Mine died at 65,000 miles. It started slipping a bit between 2nd and 3rd gear. Changing fluid won't help that (probably wouldn't hurt though). If you do change the fluid, use only Honda ATF fluid and make sure you have new washers for the drain and fill plugs. Depending on the location of the fill plug, you may need a hand pump and/or some tubing to fill it again. Auto parts store can cut you some tubing if you need it once you explain what you are doing. In the future, plan on changing your transimission fluid AT LEAST every 30,000 miles, regardless of what the manual says (mine said 120,000 miles, HAHAHAH). More like 15,000 to 20,000 if you want to be safe. These transmissions just get too hot and fry their fluid in no time flat.

4. Not sure what the best value is, but I like Meguiars' products and I also have some liquid Turtle Wax that I don't have any complaints about.

 

[grimlykindo]

Sounds like you are on the right track. I own a 99 accord V6 and have the same delay in shifting - it is a problem with our cars. My transmission was replaced under warranty at 45k but has ben great since then - now I at 139k! I would be very careful where you get the trans fluid flushed - you don't want a chemical or pressure flush - you want a shop that has the machine that slowly pushes new fluid in until all the old fluid is out. There is a Mobil1 shop by me that does this for $90 - be sure they use Honda atf fluid only! It won't stop the delay but could help a bit. I would have personally gotton ngk plugs but the bosche will work fine. PM with any other questions as have a lot of experience with 98-02 accord V6's

 

[Miramonti]

Thanks for the feedback KIAman, BW86, thomsbrain, and grimlykindo.

I'm relieved the plugs are good/compatible for this car. If they weren't recommended I'd kick myself for not doing my research first.

Originally posted by: KIAman
3. If you are changing the fluid yourself, you need to do it at least 3 times to get as much of the old fluid out, unless you have access to a flush machine. If this is the first time you changed your ATF, then most likely the pausing will go away once you change it. If you notice slipping or hard to change gears, then you most likely have a mechanical failure.

There's no slippage, only the pausing. I didn't realize there were actual 'flush machines' that do a more thorough job than simply draining and replacing a few times. I'm tempted to take it in for these since it has been 9 years and might be worth the rare investment. I'm trying to save money, but want to think long term as well.

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
1. As long you keep using platinum plugs, it should be fine, but did you read your owner's manual? The plugs in my 03 V6 (very similar engine) are good 105K miles. Also I hope you torqued them to the right specs with a torque wrench.

I haven't found it in the haynes book but was told the original plugs are good in this car for atleast 75k miles. That said, after replacing them at 9 years/50k miles, the car does run noticeably better than before I replaced them (I believed it called to torque them at 22 or 24 lbs, something like that...no problems there.) As for the transmission, I hope its not dying of course, but will post results after changing the fluid. I know the transmission warranty was extended for this year due to problems incurred. I've felt fortunate, atleast until I've started to worry lately.

I own a 99 accord V6 and have the same delay in shifting - it is a problem with our cars. My transmission was replaced under warranty at 45k but has ben great since then - now I at 139k! I would be very careful where you get the trans fluid flushed - you don't want a chemical or pressure flush - you want a shop that has the machine that slowly pushes new fluid in until all the old fluid is out. There is a Mobil1 shop by me that does this for $90 - be sure they use Honda atf fluid only! It won't stop the delay but could help a bit. I would have personally gotton ngk plugs but the bosche will work fine. PM with any other questions as have a lot of experience with 98-02 accord V6's

I was sort of hoping I'd have transmission failure a few years ago, while it was still under the extended warranty, but wasn't to be. Knowing many had issues, I really don't want to be one of the victims 'just outside the warranty period', lol. Thanks for the flushing advice and the pm offer...both noted.

Regarding wax, my wife just picked up two bottles of Meguiars cleaner/wax on clearance at the grocery store for $3. Talk about timing. :thumbsup: