Service 101
Welcome To Our Service 101 Reference Page.
Here You Will Find Useful Information Concerning Your Honda And Recommendations For Replacement.
Honda of Fishers Timing Belt 101
What is a timing belt?
A timing belt is a part of an internal combustion engine that controls the timing of the engine’s valves. In the internal combustion engine application, the timing belt connects the crankshaft to the camshaft(s), which in turn controls the opening and closing of the engine’s valves. The timing belt does this. It has custom teeth to turn the camshaft(s) synchronized with the crankshaft and is specifically designed for a particular engine. In some engine designs, the timing belt may also be used to drive other engine components such as the water pump and oil pump. Some indicators that the timing belt made need to be replaced includes: reduced engine poor and poor economy, intermittent back-fire, as well as a rattling noise from the front of the engine.
Why is it important to change your timing belt?
Timing belts are typically inaccessible and difficult to inspect. Engine manufacturers recommend replacement at specific intervals. The manufacturer may also recommend the replacement of other parts, such as the water pump, when the timing belt is replaced because of the additional cost to replace the water pump is negligible compared to the cost of accessing the timing belt. For engines whose valves extend into the path of the piston, failure of the timing belt (or timing chain) invariably results in costly and, in some cases, irreparable damage, as some vales will be held open when they should not be and thus will be struck by the pistons.
What do we recommend?
At Honda of Fishers we recommend timing belt replacement intervals at 90,000 miles or six years or 105,000 miles or seven years dependent upon the model and year of your vehicle. Timing Belt Replacement Includes:
- Replace Timing belt
- Replace Balance shaft belt( if applicable)
- Replace all drive belts
- Replace water pump and coolant
- Inspect timing belt tensioner
Honda of Fishers Air Filters 101
Who Breathes What?
When it comes to air filters, both you and your car are breathing filtered air whether you realize it or not. In Indianapolis, we are fortunate to live in a climate with mild winters and warm summers. The drawback from all of this beautiful, humid weather is that it produces a great deal of pollutants that become airborne Air Filters remove this debris permitting you and your car to breathe easier.
What is a Cabin Air Filter?
The air that you breathe inside the cabin of your car is filtered through a Cabin Air Filter. Very similar in function to the furnace filter in your home, Cabin Air Filters trap a wide range of irritating and harmful pollutant particulates and provide fresher air for you and your passengers. A dirty Cabin Air Filter will contain such environmental pollutants as: pollen, mold spores, bacteria, smoke, road dust, exhaust chemicals, dust mites, etc.
When should I change it and what are the benefits?
Cabin Air Filters should be changed every 30,000 miles. Not only will a New Cabin Air Filter improve the quality of the air inside your vehicle, but it will also significantly improve the air flow from your vehicle's heating and air conditioning system. A New Cabin Air Filter can also eliminate that stale, musty odor you may smell from the air vents.
What is an Engine Air Filter?
The air that your car breathes is filtered through an Engine Air Filter. Again, similar to the furnace filter in your home, Engine Air Filters trap the same pollutant particulates and provide fresher air for your vehicle to operate.
When should I change it and what are the benefits?
Engine Air Filters should be changed every 30,000 miles. A New Engine Air Filter will increase gas mileage, reduce emissions, allow optimal air-flow and improve engine performance. Having your Engine Air Filter changed regularly will protect the engine and vital internal engine parts from excess wear and damage that result in potentially expensive engine repairs.
Honda of Fishers Windshield Wipers 101
Twice a Year, So Your Windows are Clear!
Windshield wiper blades are one of the most neglected safety items on vehicles today. Many windshield wiper blades are cracked, split, torn, brittle, worn or otherwise in poor mechanical condition when put to the test of clearing your windshield.
Most driving decisions are made based upon clear, unobstructed view of the road, which means that good visibility is essential. Think about it, during wet weather when our vision may be obscured by water from rain, road puddle splash, sleet, snow, or from debris from the car in front of you, windshield wipers are an integral safety component.
What happens to your windshield wipers?
Windshield wipers don’t last forever. In fact, most experts say that you should replace your windshield wipers every six months in Indianapolis. If your windshield wipers are chattering, streaking or failing to wipe your windshield cleanly and consistently, you need new windshield wipers, NOW!
Your windshield wipers are made from natural rubber that deteriorates over time. As a set of windshield wipers age, they lose much of their flexibility and become less able to wipe the windshield cleanly. The sun actually “bakes” the rubber and can deform or harden the rubber material. Hot temperatures coupled with high humidity makes the rubber soft and distorts the shape of the blades as well, freezing temperatures makes the rubber hard and brittle, both damaging to the blades and increasing the tendency to crack or split the blade. These conditions cause windshield wipers to streak, skip or chatter or across the glass. Heavy usage can be hard on windshield wiper blades as well. Dust, abrasives, road grime and even bug debris wear away the edge of the wiper blade that is much needed to wipe cleanly.
How do you know if your windshield wiper blades need replacing?
A simple check is to try your windshield washers. If you wipers are not in good condition, you will see why when they attempt to wipe the windshield washer fluid off the glass.
What does Honda of Fishers recommend?
We recommend changing your wiper places twice per year so that your windows remain clear. An easy way to remember is when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. Change them before winter sets in and before summer time. For your safety, keep your windshield wipers in good condition.
Honda of Fishers Brakes 101
Why do Brakes Squeal or Squeak?
Brake squeal is the result of a high-pitched vibration of the brake pads and caused by poor insulation. This vibration occurs because the pads are not properly insulated from the caliper or secured to the caliper. Brake pads come from the factory with anti-rattle clips, pad insulator shims, and sometimes a silicone backing that literally glues the pad to the caliper to keep the pads secure and to prevent rattle or vibration. Sometimes brake squeal is the result of the composition of the brake pads being too hard. These hard, smooth surfaces rub against each other, resulting in a "nails screeching across a blackboard" type of syndrome. If this is the case, we recommend replacing the brake pads and resurfacing the brake rotors. When brake squeal is evident, our technicians start with ensuring that the pads are properly secured and insulated to the brake caliper, and the anti-rattle clips are installed to stop pad rattle. Additionally, our technicians will make sure the rotors were properly resurfaced for pad break-in.
Honda of Fishers Air Conditioning 101
What is the difference between "Outside" and "Recirculation" settings on your car's Air Conditioning system?
"Outside" setting means that fresh outside air is being fed into the vehicle's cabin along with the climate-controlled air that the HVAC system is feeding into the cabin. "Recirculation" means that the air being fed into the vehicle's cabin through the HVAC system is being recirculated without adding fresh outside air.
Honda of Fishers Battery 101
How does my car Battery stay charged?
Automotive charging systems keep your car's battery charged at all times. The battery provides the heavy cranking amperage necessary to crank the starter motor to start the car. After the car has been started, the charging system provides a steady feed of voltage and amperage to keep the battery in perfect health for the next time you have to start the car or use an electrical device inside the car.
Honda of Fishers Mufflers 101
Why do car mufflers "smoke" on cold mornings?
The "white smoke" you see coming out of the tailpipe in the morning is the result of condensation buildup in the exhaust system. When the hot air of the exhaust from the engine meets with the cold air inside the exhaust system, a cloud forms, resulting in the white smoke you see coming from the exhaust.
Honda of Fishers Antilock Brakes 101
Here are a few things you may notice the first time you use antilock brakes:
When the pedal is applied and ABS is activated, the pedal may feel harder than usual; this is normal. The pedal may seem to ratchet or pulsate (vibrate), or there could be a combination of these sensations; this is also normal. Finally, you may hear a noise that sounds like a motorboat engine; this is the hydraulic control unit operating; again, this is normal.
When driving a car with ABS brakes, remember to:
Maintain the same safe stopping distance from the vehicle ahead as with conventional brakes. ABS will not make the vehicle "stop on a dime." Do not pump the brake. Just apply firm, constant pressure and let ABS do the work for you. You may feel a slight vibration or hear noise as the hydraulic control unit functions. Be ready to push the pedal further if it travels closer to the floor.
How much water does it take before my car will hydroplane?
Hydroplaning or aquaplaning is a phenomenon that occurs when a layer of water builds between the footprint of the rubber tires of the vehicle and the road surface. When this happens, the vehicle cannot respond to control efforts such as steering and braking. According to laboratory tests, hydroplaning occurs on a wet road surface at speeds of 50MPH or higher. The deeper the water, the worse it becomes.
Three main factors that contribute to hydroplaning:
- Vehicle Speed: As speed increases, wet traction is reduced, and thus the chance of hydroplaning increases.
- Tire-Tread Depth: The more shallow the depth, the less the tires are able to resist hydroplaning.
- Water Depth: The deeper the water, the sooner the tires will lose traction.
