How the Honda Maintenance Minder works, which engines need a timing belt, what VCM does to some V6s, and other common Honda and Acura issues to watch.
Hondas and Acuras are some of the easiest cars to keep going, and the Maintenance Minder does most of the thinking for you. A few things are worth knowing on top of that.
Maintenance Minder codes
Instead of a fixed schedule, the dash shows a percentage for oil life and codes like A or B (oil change, or oil change plus inspection) with numbers for extra items: 1 is tire rotation, 2 is air filters and drive belt check, 3 is transmission fluid, 4 is spark plugs, timing belt (on V6s) and valve check, 5 is coolant. That's the general scheme. Your owner's manual has the exact list for your car.
Timing belts on the V6
The 3.5 and 3.7 J-series V6s use a timing belt. When the Minder says it's due (or at the mileage in the manual), do it with the water pump and tensioner. See our J35 timing belt guide with eight owner prices. The 4-cylinders (K-series) use a chain.
VCM on some V6s
Variable Cylinder Management shuts off cylinders to save fuel. On some model years it's linked to oil consumption, fouled plugs and misfires on the cylinders that get shut down, plus motor mount wear. Some owners use a device to disable it. Talk to your shop before you do anything.
Other common items
- Valve adjustment. Many Honda engines need it periodically. Ticking noise is a hint.
- A/C compressor issues on some models.
- Older automatic transmissions (early 2000s V6 models especially) were known for failures. Fresh fluid on schedule, genuine Honda fluid, helps.
Ask
- Are you using Honda fluids (ATF, coolant)?
- Did you include the water pump and tensioner with the belt?
- Does my engine need a valve adjustment yet?