low annual mileage maintenance service question

[brianric]

My 2010 Hona CR-V was put in service on 12-6-09. i had my last complete service at 39,133 miles on 12-31-11. As of 2-23-12 my 2010 CR-V became my secondary vehicle. I'm at 44,000 miles, with the maintenance indicator at 50%. i plan on getting the oil & filter change, along with the brake fluid. When should radiator coolant be replaced? Should I let the maintenance indicator dictate remaining maintenance? Average mileage should be no more than 3,000 miles per year.

[TampaJim]

I would change oil every year, coolant every three. I would suggest firing it up weekly. Nothing is worse on a vehicle than dry gears and seals.

[Accord]

Owners manual will tell you what the minimum maintenance will be. Open yours up and see what it says.

[brianric]

Owners manual will tell you what the minimum maintenance will be. Open yours up and see what it says.

only for oil and brake fluid. Everything else is by Maintenance indicator. I'll be using Tampajim advice to do a radiator coolant every three years, in addition to brake fluid. i do run the car at least weekly for ten miles.

[Carbuff2]

I'll be using Tampajim advice to do a radiator coolant every three years,

The initial fill should be good for 5 - 6 years (that's with the Blue Honda Type II coolant).

After that, drain and fill with pre-mix Honda Type II every three years (because you don't get all the old coolant out when you drain).

I'll be doing my '06 for the first time in the coming weeks. (Just cashed-in on Bernardi Honda's $5 shipping deal and ordered 62 LB of fluids! Shipped weight)



BTW 10 miles isn't enough driving, especially in cold weather. My rule-of-thumb is that it takes about 45 minutes of running to purge the crankcase of moisture. If you could do a longer drive every couple weeks you would be doing a world of good IMO.

[Cruatchi]

The initial fill should be good for 5 - 6 years (that's with the Blue Honda Type II coolant).

After that, drain and fill with pre-mix Honda Type II every three years (because you don't get all the old coolant out when you drain).

I'll be doing my '06 for the first time in the coming weeks. (Just cashed-in on Bernardi Honda's $5 shipping deal and ordered 62 LB of fluids! Shipped weight)



BTW 10 miles isn't enough driving, especially in cold weather. My rule-of-thumb is that it takes about 45 minutes of running to purge the crankcase of moisture. If you could do a longer drive every couple weeks you would be doing a world of good IMO.

since you mentioned coolant....what's the difference between the pink and blue Honda coolant?

[brianric]

The initial fill should be good for 5 - 6 years (that's with the Blue Honda Type II coolant).

After that, drain and fill with pre-mix Honda Type II every three years (because you don't get all the old coolant out when you drain).

I'll be doing my '06 for the first time in the coming weeks. (Just cashed-in on Bernardi Honda's $5 shipping deal and ordered 62 LB of fluids! Shipped weight)



BTW 10 miles isn't enough driving, especially in cold weather. My rule-of-thumb is that it takes about 45 minutes of running to purge the crankcase of moisture. If you could do a longer drive every couple weeks you would be doing a world of good IMO.

Thanks for the tip on the coolant. I will admit I'm driving the CR-V under harsh conditions. I'm retired, and drive the CR-V for a lot of short trips to get coffee, groceries, etc and save the Toyota for trips of 30 miles or more. I have the dealer do all my service.

[TampaJim]

since you mentioned coolant....what's the difference between the pink and blue Honda coolant?

There is only ONE type of Honda Coolant in the US ... Honda Coolant Type II, Part #OL999-9011.

[Carbuff2]

There is only ONE type of Honda Coolant in the US ... Honda Coolant Type II, Part #OL999-9011.

And that Type 2 stuff (an HOAT type) REALLY keeps the system clean.

In the "old days" of green glycol coolants, you could see the "crust" build up when you looked inside the radiator cap. No more...

[TampaJim]

HOAT and OAT are still ethylene glycol coolants. The difference is in the additive package ... hybrid organic acid technology or organic acid technology versus silicate based. Silicate act like a "slime coat" of sorts, preventing leaks, from corrosion, by acting like an all-encompassing bandage. Organic technology is more of a "keep it free of corrosion" approach.

The only coolant choice that isn't ethylene glycol is still in the glycol family and it is propylene glycol, most commonly known under the Sierra brand of antifreeze and also marketed and sold as heat transfer fluid for solar arrays and similar installations.