So, I never personally took care of my car. My brother did a lot of the work and I just took it into shops for standard things like tires and oil (probably when they were overdue, but I never had any major problems).

However, it's kind of in bad shape from the looks of it. I checked my power steering and it was VERY low. I emptied 12 oz in there and only a tiny bit was left in the bottle. The oil level was good though.

But really, I'm writing this because I'm a car newb and I want to get better so I actually know a) what to look for and b) what to do myself or get done. So, where should I start for general maintenance? Are there easy things a novice can do to take better care of a car? I'm not looking to turn this Civic into a hot-rod, but I feel like I can at least extend the life of it by caring for it more.

 

You can learn to search any questions by using key words to find your answers, google is a great place, and so is honda-tech.

I would just keep watching that oil level, most rod knocks happen from low oil pressure, so make sure your oil level is in between the 2 lines on the dipstick, too much is bad.

If you are wondering about anything on the car, a quick internet search is usually what I do if I can't come to a conclusion.

 

Thank you for the reply.

To address what you're saying, I don't have a single alarming concern. Really I'm just looking at where I can start in general if anything. I'm pretty good with computers, so I would liken it to saying I want to make it run better by removing spyware, cleaning the registry, etc. What that translates into for car maintenance I have no idea. I kind of just imagine there is something to do.

I'll be keeping a better eye on my oil and power steering fluid for sure though. I'm also going to get some cleaner additive for the fuel tank.

 

Ohhh, you want to free up power?

I usually stay away from the additives, except for the ones they put in at chevron and shell.


The cleaning part is like doing a tuneup for a car. Go google it. If you want to free up some horsepower, you can put in a k&n filter in, it's pretty easy to do and is a good bang for your buck.

 

Thanks again for your time helping me.

I was going to get a Chevron additive anyways (heard good things).

Also, freeing up power would be okay but my main concern would be gas mileage and extending the life of the vehicle. Would you recommend the simple KN filter to meet those two goals?

Thanks again.

 

Maintaining your car correctly, it will last 300k+ easily. A k&n filter allows for better flow, thus increasing horsepower, which inturns increase your gas mileage.

 

i trust the lucas fuel injector cleaner. always good to keep those clean.

 

Thank you.

 

i seafoam all my hondas. you can get it at autozone or any car parts store. and you actually feel the difference after you do it. also fuel filter helps alot in improving mpg's and possibly an o2 sensor if its way old because that sensor tells your engine how much fuel to add by reading how much air is coming in.

 

lol these people are off a little i think. what u should do is look in the owners manual. if you dont have one buy one. if u dont want to do the work yourself take it to any shop. most of them have point inspections which they will inspect certain things ( kinda what your looking to do) for pretty cheap. if they see something off they will let you know.
also depending on milage and how long u have had the car. doesnt ever hurt to change the timing belt, water pump, make sure your air filter is clean ( as stated above k&n is a great choice if you need to replace) check your spark plugs, and wouldnt hurt to flush your coolant system and transmission fluid ( flush meaning getting rid of the old and put new stuff in)(kinda like a oil change)

but mainly make sure u have no leaks

if u havent had the car long or just wanting to update things start with the small things... if ur not sure when the timing belt or water pump has been changed then might want to put that at the top of the list usually it gets done every 100,000 miles ( normally replace probly 100k and then higher milage maybe replace at 175k-200k)

hope this helps most of the things i listed are cheap and hondas are really easy to work on so if you need help with one let us know

 

i also just picked up a 96 civic 4 door

i had to replace the clutch( if yours is manual)(5 speed)
and got new axles (check for rips in the boots)
also if your brakes are starting to squeek probly needs brake pads

 

You sound like me when I got started. I'm a professional computer dude who figured that cars can't be any more complicated.

The 100% best thing you can do for yourself is to start by getting the Honda shop manual for your car. They're available as free pdfs on the web, PM me if you can't find one. They're invaluable, and tell you how to take the whole thing down to the nuts and bolts.

Second, pick a few small maintenance jobs that you can do on your own. I started with a brake job on mine. Easy-peasy. Makes you feel amazing when you realize that you just saved yourself $150 over what a shop would have charged you. I wouldn't start with a clutch job... that's more of an intermediate thing.

You should be able to do things like O2 sensors, oil changes, changing coolant, etc on your own. They help build confidence.

Before you know it, you'll be doing your own motor swaps.

Also, get some metric tools. I've built my collection up over the years, but you'll want at least a 3/8 metric shallow socket and wrench set to start. Then pickup a few extensions, and maybe a deepwell set too.

Then, if you REALLY want to get crazy, buy some ratcheting wrenches in 10, 12, 14, and 17mm. That's all you'll need for a Civic, and they're badarse when you can't get a socket somewhere.

 

Read vindicator's post above. He's giving really good advice here.

 

Wow that is a lot to digest. Thank you sincerely for the replies. I will get busy now!

Also, for what it's worth, I know I had the timing belt redone at around 100k miles. I've had the car for around maybe 7 years now as well.

 

Also, at the intermediate level: I LOVE my 1/2" gear. I've got a Craftsman ratchet, shallow and deep sockets, and a breaker bar. It beats the hell out of hogging on a 3/8" ratchet for hours. Lots more oomph than your typical little 3/8" ratchet. I've also got a nice big cheater pipe that was in my garage when I bought the house. It's saved my *** several times.

In a few years, when you realize that you like doing this and want to keep it up, you'll buy a compressor and an air impact, and wonder why you never did before.

 

^^^u forgot 19mm lol
10, 12, 14, 17,19mm sockets and wrenches

how many miles are on the car now? might need the waterpump done soon as i see u changed the timing belt at 100k

 

doing regular maintenance can go a long way in helping your car. i have a 96 civic which i have been driving for quite some time now and just doing general maintenance work like oil changes etc keeps it running nice. already pushing 150k miles on it and easily hope that it will last atleast a few more years.