dohc-father

so i am not really mechanically inclined when it comes to engines and maintenance (more into audio/video/electrical). i wanna save money and learn how to do tune-ups on my own for my car and my wifes crv. i know you need to change the spark plugs and do an oil change. i have a 96 civic coupe with a b16a2 with only 43k. oil change was done less than 1000 miles ago.

i found this:

http://www.ehow.com/how_1874_tune-car.html

but do i need to do a full tune-up at this point?

please dont flame me as much as i stated i am a noob! lol.

johnny hatchback

thats a low mileage motor but the fuel filter is part of the chassis and probably could use changing...get a helms or haynes manual for how to do each thing, check the honda owners manual for intervals on when to do what. the basics are oil, oil filter, air filter, coolant, brake fluid. Honda owners manual will tell you how often to do everything and the helms/haynes/shop manual will tell you how to do it step by step. Just stick to that. Ignore those BS internet articles...you don't need to mess with your timing and adjust your clutch or any crap like that.

Hanmin

Well with a tune-up, generally, you do want to check everything as well. Brake fluid, clutch fluid, coolant level, wiper fluid level, etc etc. You want to nick at everything that's been bothering you. Like if you don't like the clutch engagement point, now's the time to do it.

Check belts, check if anything is worn out. When doing a tune-up you want the car not to fail you, so you check everything you can.

But if your like me, you check on your car pretty often so you should have something in mind in what needs to be replaced.

I usually do spark plugs, Oil Change, and check and top of coolant. Cap rotor and wire as well if i have the cash. But that's it. It's not hard, I don't know why honda charges 100+ for a spark plug change.......

p nut

Really? $100? What a rip off. Although, back in the day when I didn't know a alternator from a lugnut, I got charged $60 for an air filter change ($40 for filter, $20 for install). Man, I got screwed. After figuring that out, I started working on everything myself. This forum and others helped a ton with that. Search and research. You can do just about everything on the car with the info on the net.

98civdx

yes honda does charge 100+ i think at the one i go to its around $150

everyone was a noob at one point, and this is a great site with lots of how-to's and a lot of very smart,experienced and nice people
43k hell that thing is bearly broke in lol.. check the plugs+ wires if they look good leave them,