Introduction
1. This Chapter is designed to help the home mechanic maintain the Civic and CR-V with the goals of maximum performance, economy, safety and reliability in mind.
2. Included is a master maintenance schedule, followed by procedures dealing specifically with each item on the schedule. Visual checks, adjustments, component replacement and other helpful items are included. Refer to the accompanying illustrations of the engine compartment for the locations of various components.
3. Servicing the vehicle, in accordance with the mileage/time maintenance schedule and the step-by-step procedures, will result in a planned maintenance program that should produce a long and reliable service life. Keep in mind that it is a comprehensive plan, so maintaining some items but not others at the specified intervals will not produce the same results.
4. As you service the vehicle, you will discover that many of the procedures can — and should — be grouped together because of the nature of the particular procedure you’re performing or because of the close proximity of two otherwise unrelated components to one another.
5. For example, if the vehicle is raised for chassis lubrication, you should inspect the exhaust, suspension, steering and fuel systems while you’re under the vehicle. When you’re rotating the tires, it makes good sense to check the brakes since the wheels are already removed. Finally, let’s suppose you have to borrow or rent a torque wrench. Even if you only need it to tighten the spark plugs, you might as well check the torque of as many critical fasteners as time allows.
6. The first step in this maintenance program is to prepare yourself before the actual work begins. Read through all the procedures
you’re planning to do, then gather up all the parts and tools needed. If it looks like you might run into problems during a particular job, seek advice from a mechanic or an experienced do-it-yourselfer.
Owner’s Manual and VECI label information
7. Your vehicle owner’s manuals were written for your year and model and contains very specific information on component locations, specifications, fuse ratings, part numbers, etc. The owner’s manual is an important resource for the do-it-yourselfer to have; if one was not supplied with your vehicle, it can generally be ordered from a dealer parts department.
8. Among other important information, the Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) label contains specifications and procedures for applicable tune-up adjustments and, in some instances, spark plugs. The information on this label is the exact maintenance data recommended by the manufacturer. This data often varies by intended operating altitude, local emissions regulations, month of manufacture, etc.
9. This Chapter contains procedural details, safety information and more ambitious maintenance intervals than you might find in manufacturer’s literature. However, you may also find procedures or specifications in your owner’s manual or VECI label that differ with what’s printed here. In these cases, the owner’s manual or VECI label can be considered correct, since it is specific to your particular vehicle.