2004 LX timing belt change interval
#1
2004 LX timing belt change interval
Our 2004 Civic LX has 56,000 miles. When should I change the timing belt? I've heard these are interference engines so I want to make sure I change the belt before the worst happens.
Also, are these cars really meant to handle 10,000 mile oil change intervals? That just doesn't settle well with me.
Also, are these cars really meant to handle 10,000 mile oil change intervals? That just doesn't settle well with me.
#2
RE: 2004 LX timing belt change interval
i am pretty sure you shouldnt have to change your timing belt until 105,000 milesor until the year2011according to the owners manual (i have an 01 and thats what it calls for) unless you drive under conditions that would cause more stress than usual on the engine. 10,000 miles is way too long IMO. I usually change mine every 5,000 mostly due to the fact that all my miles are highway and i usea good quality oil.
#3
RE: 2004 LX timing belt change interval
Thank you for the help on the timing belt. I'll verify in the owner's manual, but what you said does sound right.
The reason I asked about the oil change interval is because of what's printed in the owner's manual. The manual clearly states the interval to be 10,000 miles. Plus, the "maintenance required" light comes on at about 10,000 miles. The dash is consitent with the manual.
But, I'm with you, 10,000 seems like too much...especially for dino juice! I'll change it ASAP and stick to the 5,000 mile routine.
The reason I asked about the oil change interval is because of what's printed in the owner's manual. The manual clearly states the interval to be 10,000 miles. Plus, the "maintenance required" light comes on at about 10,000 miles. The dash is consitent with the manual.
But, I'm with you, 10,000 seems like too much...especially for dino juice! I'll change it ASAP and stick to the 5,000 mile routine.
#4
RE: 2004 LX timing belt change interval
Timing belt is 60,000 miles. Oil change should be 3,000 miles or 3 months whichever comes first. You can go to 5,000 miles if you use synthetic but you should change your filter at 3000 miles.
#5
RE: 2004 LX timing belt change interval
3,000 - 5,000 seems a lot more reasonable. That's what I've always done with all my domestic cars.
I was just perplexed by the 10,000 mile suggestion in the owner's manual.
Now, onto the next question - is it reasonable to think I could change the timing belt on my own? I'm mechanical savy and have done all of my own car repairs short of rebuilding a transmission. I can't imagine this would be too difficult of a job - especially with a Chilton's manual. And, when the job is done (by me or someone else) should I change the waterpump? Typically I don't change my waterpumps every 60,000 miles. LOL.
I was just perplexed by the 10,000 mile suggestion in the owner's manual.
Now, onto the next question - is it reasonable to think I could change the timing belt on my own? I'm mechanical savy and have done all of my own car repairs short of rebuilding a transmission. I can't imagine this would be too difficult of a job - especially with a Chilton's manual. And, when the job is done (by me or someone else) should I change the waterpump? Typically I don't change my waterpumps every 60,000 miles. LOL.
#7
RE: 2004 LX timing belt change interval
ORIGINAL: AgentofDarkness
Timing belt is 60,000 miles. Oil change should be 3,000 miles or 3 months whichever comes first. You can go to 5,000 miles if you use synthetic but you should change your filter at 3000 miles.
Timing belt is 60,000 miles. Oil change should be 3,000 miles or 3 months whichever comes first. You can go to 5,000 miles if you use synthetic but you should change your filter at 3000 miles.
#8
RE: 2004 LX timing belt change interval
All this stuff about 10,000 miles on the oil and 20,000 on the filter is solely to create low "maintenance cost" numbers for J.D. Powers. Toyota got burnt with it when their 7500 mile interval caused a lot of their V6's to not even outlast the warranty.
Ignore it and go with a 3000 - 5000 mile schedule and your engine will last a lot longer.
If you're changing the timing belt yourself, doing the water pump only every other time would make sense. But if you're paying someone to do it go ahead and change it every time so you don't have to pay labor to go back in if there's trouble with the water pump later. Also there's a tension roller (about a $50.00 part) on the timing belt which should be treated similar to the water pump.
Ignore it and go with a 3000 - 5000 mile schedule and your engine will last a lot longer.
If you're changing the timing belt yourself, doing the water pump only every other time would make sense. But if you're paying someone to do it go ahead and change it every time so you don't have to pay labor to go back in if there's trouble with the water pump later. Also there's a tension roller (about a $50.00 part) on the timing belt which should be treated similar to the water pump.
#9
RE: 2004 LX timing belt change interval
Thanks for all the replies, guys. This forum is very helpful!
In my own admission, I have been following the owner's manual for the oil changes. Typically we let it go 7 - 8,000 miles between changes and do the filter at the same time (have done that for the past 30,000 miles). I'll change that schedule right now. From now on, it'll be every 4,000 miles for the oil and filter.
Regarding the timing belt, I'm going to read what is recommended in the owner's manual. If 105K is the recommendation, I'll do the timing belt and water pump at the same time. If it's a 60K mile recommendation, I'll do the belt now, then the belt and pump at ~120K.
In my own admission, I have been following the owner's manual for the oil changes. Typically we let it go 7 - 8,000 miles between changes and do the filter at the same time (have done that for the past 30,000 miles). I'll change that schedule right now. From now on, it'll be every 4,000 miles for the oil and filter.
Regarding the timing belt, I'm going to read what is recommended in the owner's manual. If 105K is the recommendation, I'll do the timing belt and water pump at the same time. If it's a 60K mile recommendation, I'll do the belt now, then the belt and pump at ~120K.