Service FAQs

One of the most important parts of a vehicle is the braking system. Keeping drivers safe behind the wheel is thanks in a large part to brakes. For drivers, it is difficult to determine just by the sound of squeaky Honda brakes alone whether the noises that they are making are a sign of inevitable brake failure, or if it is something as simple as air being trapped in the brake line. Whenever brake repair has been recommended by a technician, the work should be completed as soon as possible to avoid any potential problems. Whether it is work that needs to be done on the pads and rotors, brake discs, replacement of pads or brakes, or just a complete brake inspection, for the safety of yourself and your passengers, don’t make the mistake of putting it off. To get a better understanding of the common problems that are likely to be causing issues with your Honda brake wear, below are some simple answers to questions.

When you are experiencing a jerking or pulsing from the brakes, it is quite likely that it is being caused by a defect in the brake drum or rotor, rather than being caused by the anti-lock braking system. An out-of-round drum, or a warped rotor can cause unmistakable pulsating that is felt in the brake pedal. Failure of the pad to properly retract is not at all uncommon. For the older drum systems, strong springs pull the brake shoes back from the drum. In the newer disc brake systems, resilient rubber seals are what pulls the pads back from the disc (or rotor). If these seals become contaminated or damaged by brake fluid, they are unable to do their job. This causes the pad to ride up against the rotor, prematurely wearing out. When rotors are warped, this can cause the pads to prematurely wear out even if the rubber seal doesn’t fail. Warped rotors wobble as they rotate, scraping against the pad as it turns. Over time the pad will wear out, causing the metal backing plate to damage the metal rotor.

When brakes are not as responsive as what they should be, or if the brake pedal “sinks” down to the floor, this is a possible indication of a braking system leak. It could be a brake fluid leak, or a brake hose air leak. One obvious sign that there is a brake fluid leak is a small puddle of fluid that is present underneath when the car is parked. Brake fluid is similar in appearance to motor oil, but with a texture that is less “slimy”. The master cylinder is another possible problem. The cup seals or the cylinder bore may be worn. Any time that the brake pedal of a vehicle is fading towards the floor, internal leaking or cup seals being bypassed must be considered. A fading pedal that has no external leak is one of the most common master cylinder symptoms caused by the cup seals. It results in a loss of hydraulic pressure. It is likely that the vehicle will inch ahead at stop lights, as brake pedal fading occurs.

The loud metallic noise when braking that you will hear means that the brake pads have been completely worn down. The growling or grinding noise is being caused by the friction of the two pieces of metal (the caliper and the disc) rubbing together. This can scratch or “score” the rotors, making the surface uneven. When this happens, it is likely that your Honda mechanic will tell you that both the rotors and the brakes need to be “turned” (evening out the surface of the rotor), or possibly even replaced.

A pulsing or vibrating brake pedal is most often a symptom that your rotors are warped. It can also be an indicator that the vehicle itself is out of alignment. If your Honda has an anti-lock braking system, the vibration can feel quite similar to what is felt in the brake pedal during an emergency stop. If the vibration is occurring during braking without engagement of the anti-lock brakes, this is a sign that the rotors have been warped. Warped rotors are most commonly caused by braking severely for long periods of time, like when driving down a mountains or hills that are steep, or when towing another vehicle. An enormous amount of friction is created when these conditions occur, making the rotors heat up and causing warping. The vibration can be felt since the brake pads are unable to evenly grab the surface. If you must drive in conditions like these, be sure to make periodic stops so that the brakes can cool off.

The final cost associated with repairing brakes will largely depend on what is wrong with them, and which mechanic you choose to patronize to have them repaired at. Costs are often associated with the braking system’s initial inspection, repairing the damaged system, and any replacement parts. If the entire brake system is in need of replacement, it will be a more expensive procedure. A common myth is that it is more expensive to use a dealership service department rather than a private garage. Honda brake repair can be done professionally and affordably by factory trained technicians at the dealership.

What is a brake service?

A brake service involves the inspection, cleaning, and lubrication of all the brake components. During the brake service, the Honda-trained technician will measure the brake pad thickness to ensure proper braking function.

Why is a brake service important?

Your brakes are the single most important safety component in your Honda. Having a brake service every 6 months will ensure long brake life, low repair bills, and safe, peace of mind driving for years to come.

One of the most important things you can do to extend the life of your Honda’s engine is to check the oil level. Along with being vitally important, since a blown engine can result from operating the vehicle with no oil, it is a task that is simple and fast to do by yourself.

Follow the steps listed below to check the oil level in your Honda:

• In order to get the most accurate reading, make sure that your vehicle is parked on a level surface.
• Prop the hood open safely and locate the brightly colored dipstick handle (usually orange) that has the word OIL on it.
• Remove the dipstick and wipe it off with a rag and then replace it back into the engine, being sure to push it all the way in.
• Remove the dipstick again. Do NOT turn it upside down when reading since this will cause the oil to run, and the reading will not be accurate. There will be two holes or lines on the bottom of the Honda oil dipstick. Look to see where the dry section and the oily section meet. If the mark is in between the two holes or lines, then there is plenty of oil in your Honda.
• If the reading shows that the oil is below the lowest line or hole, you will need to add oil. Do this by adding in a liter of oil at a time, and checking after each addition until the mark falls in between the two lines or holes.

1 liter of oil for every 1,600 km is the consumption that is considered to be normal by most manufacturers. If your Honda is using a greater amount of oil than this, it may be time to schedule an appointment for Honda oil service, or Honda engine service in Toronto. The team of Honda precision service professionals at Parkway Honda in Ontario, Canada will thoroughly inspect your vehicles engine and determine if some preventative maintenance now will save you from major problems down the road.

Most of us are familiar with the every three months, or every 5,000 kilometers, oil change schedule. This is no longer a given standard. The quality of the oil that you put in your Honda has improved over the years, and clever manufacturers now take into account driving habits when making their recommendations for how often the oil should be changed. The frequency with which you change yours should factor in your personal driving habits. If you drive the car on city streets for short trips only, especially in the colder months, you should get your oil changed on a three month schedule. Why? This is simply because the engine is not able to reach its optimum temperature for operating, which can lead to water condensing in the crankcase, allowing the oil to be diluted by fuel. If your Honda is used longer trips occasionally, it is okay to wait until six months or more have passed before changing the oil. The warranty on your Honda should be a main consideration when deciding how often to do your oil changes. Warranty holders are required to change their oil within certain time periods by many manufacturers. If you have a warranty like this, following the guidelines set out by the manufacturer can be well worth it. If engine repairs are needed in the future that are covered by the warranty, coverage can be declined by the manufacturer if the oil changes on your Honda were not done as recommended. Another thing to consider about the manufacturer’s recommendations is that they have been defined after extensive and thorough testing of the engine by the automaker. They determine performance in a variety of conditions through real-world driving and lab simulations. It is this testing that helps them to develop their guidelines for how often oil changes are done, along with regular maintenance.

The time between oil changes is able to be extended because of technological advances in oil and the vehicles themselves. However, drivers should adhere to manufacturer recommendations for oil changes based on their driving habits and conditions.

The warranty will not be affected if the oil changes are done following the guidelines set out by the manufacturer.

The make, model, and year of your Honda, along with driving conditions, is why recommendations for oil changes differ from one automaker to the next. With this in mind, drivers who are considered to be “severe” will need to change their oil on a more frequent basis than “normal” drivers. To be considered “severe”, driving during your typical week will consist of driving in any of the conditions below:

• Stop-and-go traffic or excessive idling
• Extreme humidity
• Hauling heavy items or towing a trailer
• Extreme heat, over 90°
• Extreme cold, below 10°
• Frequent trips under 5 miles

Simply speak to the Honda Service department at Parkway Honda, or refer to your owner’s manual. We will be happy to set up a schedule for oil changes on your Honda that best reflects your individual needs.

Learning how to check the level of the transmission fluid in your Honda is a relatively simple process. To maintain optimum vehicle health, this self-check should be done once per month. For the reading to be as accurate as possible, the vehicle should be parked on a level surface and the transmission fluid level should be checked with the Honda running, and completely warmed up.

• The first thing that you need to do is remove the transmission fluid dipstick. The handle is most often a bright color, such as red or yellow. If you are not certain exactly where this is located under the hood, the Honda owner’s manual has this information.
• Once the stick has been located and removed, wipe it off on a rag, place it back in the original position, and remove it once again.
• There are labels that are for both “Cold” and “Warm” readings. It is the warm that you will want to check.
• If the fluid level is below full, slowly add in additional transmission fluid into where the dipstick is placed, and measure after each addition until the well is at the full line.
• The safest way to add fluid back into the transmission is with the use of a funnel. After the filling is complete and the dipstick has been placed back in the proper hole, wait for several minutes and then check the fluid level again to ensure that it has been done properly.
• If you do not feel comfortable checking the transmission fluid level in your Honda by yourself, or if you believe that there may be problem, the Honda precision service experts at Parkway Honda in Ontario will be happy to assist you. Additionally, the Honda transmission fluid should also be flushed at regular intervals to get rid of the accumulated dirt and grime that have settled within. Flushing intervals vary by model and this information can be found either in the owner’s manual, or by taking your Toronto Honda in to Parkway Honda to work out a preventative maintenance schedule.

It is a relatively simple process to check the coolant level in your Honda. It is absolutely essential to remember that the coolant level must be checked when the car is cold. Today’s cars generally have an overflow tank for the coolant beside the radiator that is opaque. It is made from plastic that is white in color and this will allow you ascertain the coolant in your Honda is at a safe level. On the side of the overflow tank you will also see some type of markings that can tell you at a glance how low or high the coolant level is.

• To ensure that you have no leaks in your Honda coolant system, several times per year you should check to see what the coolant level is at.
• If the coolant level is low you will be required to top it off. The liquid added in for the engine’s use is a 50/50 mix of water and coolant. This gives the radiator in your Honda the optimum freeze protection or boiling point. Automotive supply stores sell coolant that has already been mixed.
• To put the coolant into your Honda, unscrew the top of the overflow reservoir, and slowly pour in the mixture until it has reached the full mark.
• Tightly replace the cap on the reservoir and you are all finished!
• Coolant should be changed every couple of years, following the recommendations of the manufacturer.

THE MAJORITY OF COOLANTS ARE TOXIC, AND THEY CAN BE FATAL TO BOTH HUMANS AND ANIMALS THAT COME IN CONTACT WITH IT!!

• Immediately wipe up any spills on the ground.
• Properly dispose of the container, do not leave it lying around!
• If you seem to be consistently filling up the coolant in your Honda, and yet the levels continue to drop, this can be an indication that you have a leak somewhere in the system. It could be something as simple as needing a new radiator hose, or it could be a symptom of a serious issue.

If you have any reason to believe that there may be a leak somewhere in your cooling system, or if it is time to change the coolant in your Honda, schedule an appointment with Parkway Honda in Ontario, Canada. The Honda Precision Service team will thoroughly investigate and check to see if it is possible that a small amount of preventative maintenance now will be able to save you from more serious problems in the future.

Trivia Time: In order for the Honda coolant to be easily distinguished by you, it is green in color. If you find that there is a green spot or puddle underneath where you have parked your Honda, the most obvious reason is that coolant is leaking. The coolant in your Honda is green in color to distinguish it from other fluids. A green spot on your driveway likely means your Honda is leaking coolant. If this happens, contact Parkway Honda right away for a service appointment.

Tip: While you are there, have the coolant and antifreeze level in your Honda inspected by a member of the Honda Precision Service certified technician team.

What is the purpose of antifreeze/coolant?

Antifreeze/coolant is designed to keep your engine running at normal operating temperatures and to prevent freezing during the cold winter months.

Why is a antifreeze/coolant replacement important?

Over time and kilometers driven, your antifreeze/coolant loses its chemical properties and becomes contaminated with rust and scale deposits which reduces its effectiveness – resulting in engine overheating, the #1 cause of engine breakdown!

How is this corrected?

Honda Canada recommends a antifreeze/coolant replacement at 7 years of vehicle ownership. Your Honda-trained technician will remove the old antifreeze/coolant and replace it with Genuine Honda antifreeze/coolant and then perform a complete inspection including all hoses and connections.

Is it time to schedule your antifreeze/coolant replacement?

If your Honda has been on the road for over 7 years, it’s time for an Antifreeze/Coolant Replacement Service. Having this service performed will ensure long engine life and safe, peace-of-mind driving for years to come.

What is a Driveline Service?

The driveline in your all-wheel-drive vehicle makes sure you have power available for both the front and rear axles when road conditions demand it. Driveline fluid is responsible for keeping the all-wheel-drive components of the transfer case well lubricated.

How long does driveline fluid last?

Excessive heat and moisture contaminants causes driveline fluids to break down and fail, leading to premature wear and severe damage to the transfer case.

How is this corrected?

A Driveline Service involves an inspection of your driveline transfer case and the removal of the old contaminated fluid and replacement with Honda-approved driveline fluid.

Is it time to schedule your Honda Driveline Service?

If your all-wheel-drive Honda has been on the road for 60,000 kilometers, it’s time for a driveline service. This service, performed by our Honda-trained technicians, will provide optimum driveline efficiency, ensuring long component life, and low repair bills.

What is brake fluid?

Brake fluid, also known as hydraulic fluid, is responsible for moving the various components of your Honda’s braking system and also prevents corrosion within this system. Brake fluid operates under high temperatures and extremely high pressure. Without it, your vehicle would not be able to stop when you push your brake pedal.

How long does brake fluid last?

Brake fluid is hydroscopic, which means that it absorbs moisture. It accumulates increasing amounts of water over time and as a result, its boiling point eventually decreases. The reduced boiling point of your brake fluid can eventually reach levels that will have a negative impact on your braking ability.

How is this corrected?

Honda Canada recommends having your brake fluid removed and replaced with Honda-approved DOT3 brake fluid every 3 years. Performing a brake fluid replacement involves removing the existing brake fluid and moisture out of the braking system and replacing it with brand new, Honda-approved DOT3 brake fluid.

Is it time to schedule your brake fluid replacement?

Our Honda-trained factory technicians know your vehicle best. Having this service performed will ensure safe brake system performance and increase the lifespan of your brake system components.

Even with all of the advances so far in technology, there are currently no car batteries that are capable of lasting forever. Little things to pay attention to are the dimming of your headlights, how old the battery in your Honda is, and whether or not your Honda has needed a jump-start. If these apply to your Honda, then maybe it’s time to get a new battery. Ideally, you should bring your Honda to a trusted and experienced Honda precision service mechanic, but if the situation calls for you to change the battery in your Honda yourself, here are some rules that you should follow. Changing a Honda battery is quick and easy, and it can also generally be done with only the minimum amount of tool.

The most important thing to do before you begin is to make sure that the Honda battery needs to be replaced.

Look for a blue or whitish residue build-up around the terminal – removing this residue can sometimes solve common issues. Note: Do not touch the residue powder with your hands since it can often contains the dried form of sulfuric acid, which is extremely corrosive to skin. Verify that the battery has fully been given the chance to recharge by going for a 30 minute drive with no stops. Electronics should also be turned off, including the stereo system, air conditioner, etc. Take a look at the alternator. If your Honda model also has a battery meter, while the engine is running the charge maintained by the alternator should be about 13.8 – 14.2 volts if the system is functioning properly. With the engine turned off and no accessory load, the battery should be showing a charge of about 12.4 – 12.8. So if you do need to replace the battery in your Honda , it is essential that you choose the correct one for the vehicle. Some retailers will require that a “core” charge is paid if you do not bring the old battery in with you.

Before removing the battery in your Honda:

Park on a level, flat surface that is a safe distance from open flames or traffic sparks. Engage the parking brake. Properly outfit yourself with gloves and also safety goggles. Unplug the cigarette lighter and plug the memory keeper back in. If you have misplaced the memory keeper, take note of all the electronic PIN’s that may be affected.

Out with the old, in with the new:

• Find the location of the battery on your Honda. It will be on either side of the frame and is shaped like a rectangle with two cables that are attached to it.
• Find the battery terminals. The terminal with a plus + sign is the positive terminal, and the terminal with the negative – sign is the negative terminal.
• Disconnect the negative terminal in your Honda. It will slide off easily if the negative clamp has been loosened with wrench. It is essential to disconnect the negative before the positive so that no short circuits occur.
• Disconnect the positive terminal next.
• Pull out the old battery and put the new one in its place. Reconnect the terminals — positive first, then negative second.
• Thoroughly tighten the terminal clamps with a wrench.
• Firmly shut the hood and then start your Honda.
• Check to ensure that all devices are working properly, especially electronics.

Properly dispose of the old battery according to the by-laws in Ontario. If you are not comfortable with the battery changing procedure and do not wish to do it yourself, call Parkway Honda in Ontario, Canada and let our Honda precision service staff take care of the problem for you.

As you are driving along the street you notice that the check engine light has come on in your Honda. Is it a serious problem? What is the next thing that you should do? Just because the light has come on in your Honda, it is not an immediate reason to panic. Nor is it an immediate reason to pull off to the shoulder of the road and call for the assistance of a tow truck. There are so many possibilities for what a lit check engine light may mean that it is impossible to determine what is wrong just by the presence of the light alone. Something as simple as a loose gas cap may be the cause. Or it could be the equally no need to panic broken oxygen sensor or engine misfire. With this being said, you should still bring your vehicle in for Honda precision service to ensure that you will not end up with major problems later on. Especially during the winter months, you want to be sure that your Honda will not just stop running due to issues with the check engine light.

Although more serious problems such as an engine that is overheating, or a low oil pressure level will also cause the check engine light in your Honda to come on, there are other gauges and lights on the dashboard that will warn you of imminent serious problems. As a general rule, reading the owner’s manual is an excellent way to learn all of the various reasons that can be the cause of a check oil light in your Honda coming on. It will also give you information on all of the other indicators and lights that are on the dashboard. If the check engine light in your Honda comes on, the first thing that you should do is search carefully for a major problem that will require attention immediately. Look carefully at all of the gauges and indicators, paying special interest to those which refer to engine overheating or low oil pressure. If one of these is the obvious reason for the light to have come on, pull over to a safe spot and turn the engine in your Honda off. It some models of cars, in the check engine light is yellow, it means that the problem needs to be looked at. If the check engine light in the Honda is red, in some models this means to stop immediately and have the vehicle looked at. For a potential quick fix to the check engine light being on in your Honda, physically tighten the gas cap. In many cases this will completely fix the problem. If the check engine light has come on in your Honda, or if you notice any performance problems such as power loss, slow down as much as possible and try to reduce the load that the Honda engine is carrying. If you are towing a trailer for example, stop the towing as soon as possible. To prevent expensive damage that may occur down the road, bring your Honda into Parkway Honda so that the code related to the check engine light can be read. In Ontario, Canada, the Honda precision service team at Parkway Honda will determine the origin of the code, and provide you with cost-efficient and quick solutions to solve the underlying check engine light problem.

What is a Timing Belt?

The timing belt synchronizes the interaction between major engine components to ensure everything is “timed” just perfect.

How long do timing belts last?

Over time and kilometers driven, timing belts become worn and cracked leading to a possible timing belt failure resulting in a vehicle breakdown and engine damage.

How is this corrected?

Honda Canada recommends a timing belt replacement at 168,000 kilometers or 7 years (whichever occurs first). Performing a timing belt replacement by our Honda-trained technicians involves removing the worn timing belt and replacing it with a brand new, Genuine Honda timing belt.

Is it time to schedule a Timing Belt Replacement?

If your Honda is equipped with a timing belt and has been on the road for over 168,000 kilometers or 7 years, it’s time for a timing belt replacement. Having this service performed by a Honda-trained technician will ensure long engine life, lower repair bills, and safe, worry-free driving for years to come.

What is a serpentine belt?

Honda vehicles are equipped with a serpentine belt, also known as a drive belt. Serpentine belts have replaced other types of belts because a single belt is more compact, less expensive to replace and simpler to install compared to multiple belts. By “snaking” around the various pulleys, both sides of a serpentine belt can grip and be used to drive components in the engine, such as an alternator, power steering pump, water pump, and air conditioning compressor.

How long do serpentine belts last?

Generally, serpentine belts last around 5 years or up to 100,000 kilometers before replacement becomes necessary. Belt wear is difficult to see by just looking at the belt. Our Honda-trained technicians can measure the depth of the grooves in the underside of the belt to determine whether the belt should be replaced or if it is still in proper working condition.

How is this corrected?

Serpentine belts that shows chunking or cracks need to be replaced immediately, as they will soon fail. Serpentine belt failure typically means loss of engine cooling, loss of battery charging, loss of power steering assist, and loss of air conditioning. In short, a belt failure means a severe vehicle breakdown.

Is it time to schedule a Serpentine Belt Replacement?

If your Honda has been on the road for 5 years or 100,000 kilometers, it’s time for a serpentine belt replacement. Having this service performed by a Honda-trained technician will ensure long engine life and safe, peace-of-mind driving for years to come.

Your Honda’s engine has an intake air cleaner which contains an air filter element that prevents foreign materials such as dust and debris from entering the cylinders. If foreign materials make their way into the engine, they cause internal damage and premature wear. Whenever the engine is running, the air filter is removing and collecting foreign materials from the intake air and will eventually accumulate enough that replacement will be necessary. A clogged air filter affects engine performance and can increase fuel consumption and contribute to engine oil contamination. Air filter inspection and replacement is required at specific maintenance intervals, as indicated in the Owner’s Manual or by the Maintenance Minder system, if equipped. If you often drive in dusty conditions, more frequent replacement may be necessary. We can provide and install the correct, Genuine Honda filter for your vehicle.

Honda Genuine spark plugs are designed for the maximum performance of your engine and manufactured to stringent ISO/TS 16949 Quality System standards.

Eventually, the odds are good that you will get a flat tire on your Honda. Roadside Assistance offered from one company or another is popular, but it is always a good idea to ensure that you have the knowledge to change one yourself, especially with the high cost of tow trucks in Toronto.

The guide below lists the steps that you will need to follow to get back on the road quickly.

Think about safety first:

• Pull over to a spot that is safely off the road. Go as far onto to the shoulder as you can. If you happen to have been driving on one of Toronto’s busy highways, such as the 401 or QEW, get off the highway completely, even if you have to drive a short distance with a blown tire.
• Never park on a curve. Visibility for other drivers is limited and they may not have a chance to see you.
• Find a spot that is flat and level. Never decide to jack up your Honda on a hill.
• Leave your vehicle in gear if your Honda has a manual transmission.
• Always engage the parking brake!
• Turn on your 4-way flashers, otherwise known as hazard lights.
• Get the spare tire, wrench, and jack out of the trunk in your Honda and grab any other tools that may be required. Place everything in front of your flat tire.

Loosen all of the lug nuts:

• Loosen the lug nuts with the wrench.
• It may be required for you to remove the hubcap. Do not actually take the lug nuts off at this point, simply make sure they are loosened by turning the wrench counter-clockwise.
• If you find that the lug nuts on your Honda are overly tight, one option is to place the wrench on the tight nut, and stand directly on the arm of the wrench so that all of your weight is utilized.
• Another option is to pound on the wrench arm with a hammer or a rock.

Get the car jacked up:

• Following the instructions included with the jack, raise your Honda off the ground.
• There is no one-place fits all when it comes to jacks. Refer to the owner’s manual to see exactly where it should be placed on your vehicle.
• The Honda should be lifted with the jack until it is about 6 inches above the ground.
• Now remove the loosened lug nuts and pull the tire towards you until it is no longer secured to the wheelbase.
• Put the lug nuts in a safe place where they are not able to roll away. If you have a pocket, this is a perfect holding place.

Put the spare tire on the wheelbase:

• Place the spare on the lug nut posts and push the tire away from you until it is firmly pressed against the wheelbase.
• Put the lug nuts back into place.
• Loosely tighten the lug nuts by hand so the spare does not fall off when the Honda is lowered to the ground again.
• Slowly lower the vehicle back to the flat surface with the use of the jack.
• Take the jack out from underneath the vehicle.

On the ground:

• Tighten up the lug nuts again using the wrench.
• Pick one lug nut to start with and tighten it to around 50%. Next, move on to the lug nut that is the opposite of the one you just tightened and tighten it to about 50%. Follow this process until they are all about 50% tight.
• Go back and tighten each lug nut individually until they are as tight as you can possibly make them.

Clean up:

• Place all of the tools and your flat Honda tire back into the trunk.
• Ensure that nothing has been left on the side of the road.

Sometimes the tire may not be destroyed completely when it goes flat. In some cases, if the tire on your Honda has gone flat due to a sharp object such as a nail being imbedded in it, you can generally buy yourself several more kilometers of driving time by using a specialized spray for fixing flats. This is especially useful if you are unable to physically change the tire yourself. The spray will give you the time needed to come in for Honda Precision Service at Parkway Honda in Ontario, Canada. The expert technicians will replace the tire for you in only moments. Likewise, if the tires on your Lexus appear to be worn or the tread is cracked in places, bringing your vehicle into Parkway Honda will give the Honda Precision Service team the opportunity to thoroughly inspect and replace tires as necessary.

One of the easiest tasks that you can perform yourself as the owner of a Honda is to change the windshield wipers. Most automotive stores carry wipers that will fit your particular model. If you are not certain exactly which size or brand of wipers to get, ask a service representative at the store or refer to your Honda owner’s manual.

Take off the old wipers

• To begin the process, the old Honda wipers must be removed from the vehicle. In order to do this properly, you must pull the whole wiper in the direction away from the windshield and the wiper should hold itself up. Since the arms of the wipers on your Honda are made of metal, take care not to scratch the windshield while pulling.
• Hold the arm with one hand, and use the other hand to press down the little tab that is located on the underside of the windshield wiper where it comes in contact with the metal arm.
• Pull from the center aiming towards the bottom part of the arm and slide off the wiper.
• Once you have successfully removed the wiper from your Honda, gently place the arm portion back against the windshield. To prevent damage from occurring, make sure that you guide the arm back into place instead of letting it snap back.

Put on the new wipers

• The two pieces should first be lined up so that they will click in easily.
• The side of the wiper that will attach to the arm on your Honda will be flat and be curved across the top portion. Rotate the clip until the wiper blade has the curve pointing towards it.
• Place the wiper upside down in your hands next to the arm in the position where they match up perfectly together, and place the arm in the slot between the wiper edges.
• Be certain that the open end of the curve is in a direction facing the clip, and gently pull the wiper blade in an upward direction so that the rounded edge are able to easily slide into the hook. Grasp and pull firmly to be certain that it has clicked into place.

Do the other side in the same way!

If you prefer to get a professional in Toronto to take care of this task for you, Parkway Honda in Ontario, Canada has a Honda Service team that will gladly complete the process for you. Stop by or make an appointment to visit out Honda service technicians today.

Toronto summers can be hot and muggy, making air conditioning an essential part of daily travel. There can be several different reasons that could explain why your frigid air has suddenly turned balmy.

• One possibility is that there is some type of refrigerant leak. This leak could be found in the hose, condenser, or evporator in which case you should bring your vehicle in for Honda Precision Service.
• A second reason for the air conditioning unit to suddenly prefer blowing warm air may be because the compressor itself has gone bad. The main function of the compressor is to pressurize the contents in the refrigerant, and then pump it throughout the necessary components of the AC. With the entire system revolving around the compressor, the unit will not work correctly if there is something wrong with it. If the compressor is actually broken, generally you will hear a loud noise when you go to turn the air conditioning on in your Honda.
• One other problem that may be occurring with your Honda’s air conditioning system, is a potential clogged orifice tube. This tube is located between the evaporator in the passenger compartment, and the condenser in front of the radiator. And instruction in this tube will make it impossible for the refrigerant to reach the evaporator, resulting in the system blowing warm air.

Here’s how a Honda air conditioning system and all of its components work.

Step One: The compressor is called the power unit of the entire A/C system. A drive belt connected to the crankshaft on the engine is what the compressor is powered by. When you turn on the air conditioning system in your Honda, the compressor uses high heat and high pressure to pump out refrigerant vapor.

Step Two: The condenser is a small device that is used to change the consistency of the high-pressure refrigerant vapor into liquid form. It has small cooling fins and parallel tubing, making it look very similar to the radiator it is mounted in front of. If you gaze through the grille of a Honda, and see what you believe is the radiator, most likely you are seeing the condenser. During movement of the car, air that is flowing through the condenser takes heat out of the refrigerant, changing it to a state of liquid.

Step Three: Refrigerant moves next into the receiver-drier. This is where the liquid refrigerant is stored. Moisture from the refrigerant is also removed here. This is essential since any moisture that is lingering around can freeze in the system, effectively causing a block in the tube.

Step Four: While the compressor works continuously to efficiently pressurize the system, the new liquid refrigerant, which is under high pressure circulates from the receiver-drier to the important thermostatic expansion valve. The purpose of this valve is to remove pressure in the liquid refrigerant so that it is able to expand and once again become refrigerant vapor in the back in evaporator.

Step Five: The evaporator is very much like the condenser. It contains fins and tubes, and it is most often mounted inside the Honda passenger compartment. The cold low-pressure refrigerant gets released into the evaporator, where it vaporizes and then absorbs the heat from the air inside the passenger compartment. Once the heat is absorbed, then new cool air will be available for the occupants of your Honda. In order to distribute the cooler air effectively, there is a blower fan located inside the passenger compartment.

Step Six: Full of heat, the low-pressure refrigerant vapor is drawn back into the compressor in order to begin another cycle of refrigeration.

The process from start to finish is quite simple since the A/C systems in the majority of cars work this was. The easiest thing about obtaining air conditioning is that you simply press a button in order to make it work. Honda air conditioning systems are known to be pretty reliable. It is rare to have any problems with the newer models. However, if problems do occur, they are usually one of two things: Insufficient cool air or no cool air. If you Honda is an older model and the system does not seem to be working at its best, here are some general tips for troubleshooting potential problems:

No Cool Air

• Broken or loose drive belt
• Slipping compressor clutch, or inoperative compressor Defective expansion valve
• Clogged areas such as liquid refrigerant line, receiver-drier, or expansion valve.
• A fuse that has blown
• A leak in one of the components

Insufficient Cool Air

• Charge in refrigerant is low
• Drive belt is loose
• Slipping compressor clutch
• Condenser is clogged
• Evaporator is clogged
• System has a slow leak
• Filter or expansion valve that is partially clogged.

In general, it is best to leave the majority of A/C repairs to Parkway Honda in Ontario, Canada. Very often there is special equipment that must be used and that the average person does not own. The system should be checked as part of the maintenance program on you Honda at regular intervals. The Honda Precision Service team members at Parkway Honda will be happy to fix any problems in the system, and also look for areas of wear that may become a problem down the road.