Acura Maintenance Schedule
When you purchase a new or one of our used cars for sale at Acura of Huntington in New York, you can look forward to many years of trouble-free luxury motoring. However, to keep your car running like the day you bought it, it's important to follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.
Understanding Your Acura Maintenance Schedule
Your Acura maintenance schedule gives you a detailed breakdown of what routine servicing tasks are needed and when. Following the schedule helps ensure all your vehicle's components continue to work together perfectly.
Why Routine Maintenance Is Essential for Your Acura
Your Acura is designed and built with thousands of precision-made components that work together to provide the smooth and refined driving experience you expect. As parts naturally wear and fluids deteriorate, they need to be replaced with genuine Acura and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts to maintain your car's performance.
With routine maintenance, as well as replacing crucial components, potential issues will be detected and fixed before they become bigger, and more costly, problems. Additionally, when it's time to trade your Acura, being able to show a full service history will enhance the car's value, giving you more to put toward your next vehicle.
If you neglect routine maintenance, the engine oil will stop working effectively. This means the engine will not get the protection it needs, leading to components wearing excessively and breaking down and damaging other parts. This can result in expensive repairs or even complete engine failure, as well as compromising the vehicle's safety.
Overview of Acura's Maintenance Minder System
While most routine Acura maintenance tasks can be carried out at specific mileage intervals, all Acura vehicles are equipped with Maintenance Minder. This system takes the guesswork out of when to schedule certain service items. Rather than relying on mileage and time, Maintenance Minder monitors factors such as your driving style, road conditions, and extreme temperatures.
Using this information, the system measures the engine oil's remaining life and displays it as a percentage on the dash, with fresh oil being 100%. When the oil life percentage reaches 15%, a wrench symbol appears on the dash with the message Service Due Soon. At 5%, the display says Service Due Now, and at 0%, the message changes to Service Past Due. At the same time, Maintenance Minder displays a code indicating which other service tasks are due.
Comprehensive Acura Maintenance Intervals by Mileage
Here we look at the mileage intervals of the Acura maintenance schedule and the service items that will be performed. Depending on your driving habits and conditions, Maintenance Minder may advise shorter or longer intervals.
Every 7,500 Miles: Essential Services
At each 7,500-mile interval, your Acura's engine oil and filter should be changed to maintain efficient engine lubrication and cooling, and the tires rotated to help promote even tread wear. The technician will also inspect the brakes and other key components.
Every 15,000 Miles: Beyond Basics
This service interval includes the items from the 7,500 service, plus replacing the engine air filter and checking and adjusting fluid levels.
Every 30,000 Miles: Major Mile Marker
On top of the items included at the 15,000-mile interval, the 30,000-mile service involves replacing the cabin air filter and transmission fluid along with a thorough multipoint inspection.
Every 45,000 Miles: Precision Care
The 45,000-mile interval repeats the 15,000-mile service, along with checking and changing the spark plugs if necessary. All the drive belts and hoses will be thoroughly inspected for wear and damage.
Every 60,000 Miles: Long Haul Preparations
At this service, in addition to the 15,000-mile service items, the engine coolant will be replaced and all the suspension components inspected.
Every 90,000 to 120,000 Miles: Advanced Care and Checks
These major service milestones will involve all the basic maintenance tasks outlined in the respective intervals above. You can also expect bigger jobs, such as a complete timing belt replacement and in-depth system diagnostics to ensure everything continues to run as it should.
Decoding Acura Maintenance Codes
The Acura Maintenance Minder displays codes to determine what maintenance tasks are due to be carried out, so it's important to understand them.
Understanding the Maintenance Code System
The two main maintenance codes are A and B, which can be on their own or accompanied by up to seven numerical subcodes. Code A is asking you to replace the engine oil. Code B means you should replace the engine oil and oil filter, and inspect the brakes, steering, suspension, driveshaft boots, exhaust system, and check fluid levels. Here's a description of the subcodes:
- 1: Rotate the tires
- 2: Replace the air cleaner element and dust and pollen filter, and inspect the drive belt
- 3: Replace the transmission fluid
- 4: Replace the spark plugs and timing belt, and inspect the water pump and valve clearance
- 5: Replace the engine coolant
- 6: Replace the rear differential fluid
- 7: Replace the brake fluid
Refer to your owner's manual for maintenance information for your specific Acura vehicle.
Choosing the Right Acura Service Center
Not all service centers are created equal, and it's important to choose the right location for the best quality Acura maintenance.
Authorized vs. Independent Service Centers
The certified technicians at an authorized Acura service center, such as Acura of Huntington, know your specific vehicle inside and out. They only use genuine Acura components and OEM replacement parts that are precision-made to fit and operate just like the ones used when the vehicle left the factory.
It might be tempting to save money by taking your car to an independent service center, but they won't specialize in Acura vehicles. They might use generic parts designed to fit many makes and models. If one of these aftermarket parts were to fail and damage your vehicle, your warranty could be voided.
Keeping Your Acura in Prime Condition
Keeping to your Acura's maintenance schedule is a key part of vehicle ownership. It ensures your car runs as it should and is safe to drive on New York roads. It also saves you from costly repairs that could have been detected earlier. Contact us today at Acura of Huntington to schedule a maintenance appointment and enjoy first-class customer service.
a white car parked on a street by Nikhil Mistry licensed with Unsplash License