joshwairi

1. How do I change the light under my auto shifter in a 2003 Accord EX-V6? (where it says P, R, N, D...)

2. I recently had a friend change the brakes on my car, and instead of using the Honda ones, he used some Duralast ones from auto zone, the other day I was doing hard braking due to sudden traffic on the highway, and the brakes smelt like they were melting, should I just ditch the brakes, and buy some Honda ones? I think someone told me that I have high performance brakes, because of the V6 engine, is that true?

3. I just turned to 108,000 (I know, a ton a miles on a 2003, but it's a Honda). I see that the recommended maintenance of a Timing belt is 105K, do I need to rush out and get it fixed immediately, or can I get it done in the next few thousand miles. They wanted to charge me $900 at the dealer for the belt and water pump (that also includes 7hrs at $89/hr), this seems high, and should I look elsewhere?

4. I bought this car used in 2006 with 76K from a dealer, and ever since then I have followed all maintenance schedules (oil changes at 3,750 or less, 15K and 30K tune ups, etc) obviously with the exception of the timing belt. I drive fairly hard being a 21 year old male, but when I drive like my grandmother my gas mileage is still horrible. Currently I get 16-17MPG. I've seen people that are getting double that, and the EPA is over 20 city, so I can't figure out why my 70%Highway, 30% city driving is getting such bad MPGs. Is there anything I can do to improve the MPG? I tried Lucas fuel injector cleaner, and I went up significantly (25), but on my next fill up it went back to my normal 16-17. Is this bad for the car?

Thanks!!!!!
Any help would be awesome!

Accord1234

First of all personally I would never put Duralast pads on my car. Also for a V6 the timing belt has to be changed including the water pump. And you said that you followed maintaince so I would assume that transmission fluid,spark plugs and air filter had all been changed as well as fan belt. And about the gas milage, its all how you drive. I can cruise and get over 30 mpg and push it hard and get like 200 miles a tank which is bad. I know its the way I drive cause no matter whose car I am in, I can ususally run their tank down.

joshwairi

SO i figured out how to change the light. It was actually quite simple, and didn't cost hte over $100, the dealer tried to charge.

All you do is use a flat head screwdriver, and pop off the wood thing. Then unhook the plastic piece, and there is the acess to the lights. It seems more complicated then it is. It only cost me $2 for the light bulb (from Honda) and 5 minutes or so of my time. Also I could get all the dirt that kept on getting pushed into the crevaces. So I am $98 dollars richer, have a cleaner car, and now feel like I know how to do something above adding gas or windsheild washer, and checking oil.

Accord1234

Glad it worked out