Authorized dealers know your vehicle inside and out, and can provide competent, efficient service. However, service at a dealer is not required to keep your warranties in effect. You may service your car with any qualified service facility or person.

Some ex-dealership technicians open their own independent shops and specialize in that brand of vehicle. However, their "factory" training is usually several years old, so their technical knowledge of current model vehicles will not be as good as the local dealer's technicians, who routinely receive new model training from Honda.

Honda parts and fluids are manufactured to the same high-quality standards as the original components, and we recommend the use of them every time you have maintenance performed.

Refer to your Owner's Manual for the pump octane number recommended for your Honda. Use of a lower-octane gasoline than recommended can cause a persistent, heavy metallic rapping noise in the engine that can lead to mechanical damage.

There is no advantage in using a fuel with a pump octane greater than that recommended in your Owner's Manual

Always use Honda Genuine Oil, available at your Honda dealer. When Honda Genuine oil is not available, it is very important to choose an oil that is recommended by Honda. Recommended oil will provide superior performance in the areas of deposit and sludge protection, wear protection, and oil life. These oils will also protect the environment by extending the life of your emissions system and conserving energy through better fuel economy.

Honda recommends the use of Honda Genuine oil for your vehicle. This oil meets the performance requirements listed above, but is also subjected to a series of Honda-specific tests to guarantee optimum performance and compatibility with your Honda vehicle.

Refer to your owner's manual to determine the proper weight (viscosity) grade for your Honda. Your vehicle was designed to use this specific weight grade. Confirm that the weight listed on your oil's label matches this recommendation exactly before using it in your engine.

You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements listed above. That is, it must match the weight grade recommended in your owner's manual.

When using synthetic oil, you must follow the oil and filter change intervals given in the maintenance schedule.

Refer to your owner's manual for the recommended service intervals. Separate maintenance schedules are listed for "normal service" and "severe service." Read the description of severe service carefully. Most vehicles will fall under the normal service category. Note that the service intervals are listed by time in addition to distance. Your oil should be changed at whichever interval, time or distance, occurs first.

There is absolutely no benefit in changing your oil more frequently than recommended in your owner's manual. This will only increase your cost of ownership, and create an unnecessary burden upon the environment by increasing the amount of disposed oil.

Do not exceed the recommended maintenance interval. Oil eventually deteriorates and loses its ability to protect your engine, due to heat, friction, and exposure to exhaust components. Engine oil contains special additives to enhance the oil's performance, and these additives are also broken down or consumed with distance and time. Engine damage can occur if the proper maintenance schedule is not followed..

The PAX Tire System is the latest in "run-flat" tire technology that, in the event of a tire puncture, allows a driver to remain in control of the vehicle and continue driving for up to 125 miles at speeds up to 50 miles an hour on a deflated tire.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs moisture. And when that moisture finds its way into your braking system, it can corrode metal and seals.

Flushing the system with new fluid removes the condensation before extensive damage can occur.

When flushing the system, always use Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid. The use of any non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion and may decrease the life of the system.

Warranty information can be found in a number of different places. The most complete warranty information can be found in the Warranty booklet supplied with your vehicle.

Not if the maintenance is performed properly. The only way your warranty may be affected is if it can be shown that misuse or improper (or lack of) maintenance caused or contributed to the malfunction.