Guys - Hello, newbie here. Just ordered (haven't taken delivery yet) an '08 Civic EX 4dr manual. I put a lot of miles on my cars for work (almost 50,000/yr). If I followed the dealer/manufacturer recommended maintenance schedule, it would be in the shop every month and cost a fortune. My previous Jetta TDI got me 219,000 miles with no real issues. Jetta TDIs are hard to come by here in the states, so I thought I'd give Honda a try.

With my new Civic, what would you guys recommend I do to keep it running and performing well for 4 yrs and 200,000 milesor longer? Any/all input is appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

i have a 08 lx and i have the same problem. i drive500 miles aweek or more just for work and i have thought about this alot, but i think as long as you keep the oil changed every 3k miles, clean the filters, and injectors from time to time, and get a new timing belt after 100k or so miles you should be fine...hondas last forever my friend

 

what kind of jobs are having you put 500 miles a week on your car?

 

im amerchendiser for pbg (pepsi bottling group) and i work in 5 different counties

 

I'm in sales and have an 85 mile commute to work, and then take my car on appointments in 2 different states. I'll put on 1000 miles a week.

 

Change your engine oil and other fluids to synthetics, and you would be able to go for extended periods without routine oil/filter changes....as long as you are also using extended-life oil filters. For example, I am using Amsoil synthetic motor oil and the Amsoil extended life filter...both of which have a life of 25,000 miles. Being somewhat conservative, I do dump the oil and change the filter every 15,000 miles, and feel completely safe doing so. Another alternative.....learn to do your own maintenance. A third alternative....find a non-dealership mechanic that you trust to do the work. Typically, independent shops charge significantly less than dealerships. Make sure that major maintenance items, such as changing the timing belt, are done on time. Failure to do so can result in some very expensive repairs.

 

In addition to the above comments, the owners manual lists service intervals and what should be performed at certaintime/mileage...so be sure to strictly adhere to that...frequent oil changes too...

I just bought a used01 EX with 150,000 miles so I hope to reach 200,000

 

TheInternet.....I think if you carefully read Mike75x5's initial posting, you will see that he is asking what he can do to prevent having to follow the recommended service intervals, particularly if they are performed at a dealership, given the high number of miles he drives each year. That's why I made the recommendations I made...including the use of synthetic motor oil and extended-life filters so that he can safely drive further between oil changes, yet still have reasonably high confidence that he will be able to reach 200,000 miles four years from now without major repairs.

 

I have a 90 mile commute to work (45 miles each way) plus I drive a lot on weekends.

I bought my 97 Civic EX about 3 years ago with 86,000 miles on it. I have the oil changed every 3-4 thousand miles. I found a place close to where I work that does it for $17.
I had the timing belt changed at 109,000 miles.

Everything else I do myself. Regular tune-ups and that's about it. That's where you will save a lot of money. I now have 159,000 miles on the car and it still runs great.

 

Hmmm...sorry Iread the inital post quickly and thought the question was how to get the car to last 200,000km+...

Regardless, the service schedulesare there for a reason, you have to follow themsoit wont lead to more costly repairsdown the road...Im looking at the service schedule now and thereisnt even that much to do on these civics...ie...every 20,000miles = engine oil filter, coolant, inspect brakes, check parking brake, visially inspect tie rods, boots, suspension, fluids, etc...30,000miles= inspect and adjust drive belts...frequent oil changes are a given.