What maintenance procedures are "feel good" but of dubious usefulness?

I wouldn't be surprised. Then you have the interference engine problem and a smaller belt compared to Toyota. Belt maintenance is serious business on a Honda.

 

I started running Maxlife ATF with the Tacoma based on recommendations I read on TW. I never really knew it was such a good fluid. I can tell you if it supports Nissan Matic J & S spec transmissions it must be some good product.

 

It's touted on most forums as pretty good so I'm a believer in it also. Purchased a Odyssey recently and was the first thing I did as the PO seemed to believe the factory stiff was 'lifetime'. Doesn't help that so many dealers spout that line. All they want to see is someone buy a new vehicle every 100K miles and many (enough)people still have that stuck in their head.

 

We've got an 04 Civic with a Hondamatic. I change the ATF every 15,000 to 20,000 miles to keep it shifting correctly. The transmission doesn't have proper cooling so it turns dark fast. You can literally feel it starting to slip when the fluid gets heavily worn. I've been using Honda fluid out of fear another fluid would cause problems. It might perform better with Maxlife ATF. It only has 85,000 miles at this point.

 

I don't believe WS is junk at all. I doubt it's anything special...but certainly not junk. Never said it was. In fact, when I serviced my transmission at 55k that's what I went with.

I was referring to people never servicing their tranny. Some people see it as "dubious". That's what the OP was looking for. I answered

 

its personal preference if you want to roll the dice and use an aftermarket anything, mostly 100% of the time OEM fluids and parts are superior to all other aftermarket equivilents.

 

I have a 2006 Honda accord im very sketchy about using any fluid other than Honda OEM especially the fluids, although others have used aftermarket fluids like ATF and power steering fluid, coolant successfully, I would do the research to find which ones are good.

 

Definitely clean the MAF. When I bought my ‘04 with 90K on the clock back in April it would bog when I tried to jump on it. Cleaned the MAF and now it will shoot me out in traffic about as well as a 4-banger can. The wire in the MAF actually looked a little fuzzy before I cleaned it.

 

I installed zerk fittings into my muffler bearings, so that I no-longer have to replace them; just a couple pumps from the grease gun now. As you know, it is not easy to use a puller in such an enclosed space.

 

If you have to change tranny fluid every 15k miles to keep it working correctly you need to start spending money on repairs, not bandaids.

 

i think the point of this thread is to suss out when you are correct about this and when you are 100% wrong.

i put Exxon fuel cleaner concentrate in my tank every 5,000. i'm pretty sure i could save the $ but it hits me right in the feels.

 

you're talking AT,yes?
MT is still every 30k or thereabouts (i think)

 

dealer recommended power steering flush and fill to me today

that is a new one they just started pushing

 

I'm sure I'll get shredded for some of these that come to mind:

• Nitrogen in Tires (Greater then 78%).
• Oil changes before OEM service levels.
• Clay on an off-road vehicle.
• Cup holder USB ports.
• Hood struts if you don't do your own work.
• Block Lifts for looks.
• Radio knob condoms.
• Premium priced gasoline.
• Bug deflectors for actually deflecting bugs. (They do look good on many trims).
• Bumper integrated winches on recreational vehicles...commercial makes sense...else hitch mounts are much more versatile and maintainable.

 

Be sure to use Bacon Grease on the CAT bearing...

 

fuel system cleaners have been mentioned in this thread, for more:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fuel-system-cleaner-consolidation-page.583948/

 

I would never call any fluid change dubious even if it was done at a short interval. The best thing you can do for your drivetrain is keep the fluids in good shape. Trying to squeak every usable mile out of my fluids is something I don't do.

Oil and Filter changes every 5k - and this is with synthetic fluid. Sure, the oil can go longer but can the filter? I don't know so it's easy insurance to just do the damn oil change and not worry if I'm wasting a little money. Ever see the pics that people share of the sludge that has built up under the valve covers? This is from people being either stupid or cheap and not doing frequent enough oil changes.

Auto Trans drain and refill every 10k - This replaces around 1/3 of the capacity and keeps the fluid in really good shape. Nobody ever got into trouble replacing the trans fluid too often. It's when they don't replace it for a long interval and the fluid looks black and smells burnt that bad things happen.

Transfer Case Gear Oil every 30k

Front Diff Gear Oil every 30k

Rear Diff Gear Oil every 10k - This is based on what I saw the fluid looking like after a 30k interval.

Coolant every 30k

 

thanks @Timmah!

this rear diff rec is a new one to me at 10k!
do you have a pic of what you saw after 30k

 

Geez. Thats often. My diff oil in my nissan looked new every timeiived changed it at 30k. What did yours look like at 10k?

 

I change my oil every 2000 miles. Don't know for sure if it's worth the money but I can afford it so I do it anyways. Id like to keep my engine running problem free as long as possible before I swap it out