Honda vehicles has been long credited for delivering excellent fuel economy and reliability from the time they first laid rubber on American asphalt. Since then, technology has evolved tenfold, designs have become more stylish and the Honda engine has gotten more powerful than ever, but there is one thing your 2015 Accord has in common with its ancestors -- the need to keep up on maintenance. If you want your Accord to be one of the many in the 300,000-plus miles club, you’ve got to keep up with the maintenance schedule on a timely basis. A digital version of your 2015 Accord's Owner's Manual is available online.
By now, you’ve probably noticed out that your owner’s manual is missing the normal maintenance schedule you’ve had with other vehicles. Thanks to advances in technology, your Accord will tell you anytime maintenance is due. Unfortunately, however, with the exception of oil changes, the messages you receive are in the form of a main service code “A” or “B” followed by up to five different sub-codes.
Service code “A” means it is time to change your Accord’s engine oil. Service code “B” means you need to change the engine oil and filter, which generally occurs every other oil change period. If you do not receive any sub-codes with service code “A,” then have your oil changed, and have the oil-life meter reset. Service code “B” means in addition to changing the oil and filter, it is time to inspect -- and replace or repair if necessary --the following items:
Sub-codes are in place to help alert you to other services or inspections that need to be performed on service "A" or "B."
As mentioned previously, sub-codes may also be displayed alongside the main service code. Almost every time you receive a main service code B, you’ll also get sub-code 1, which means it is time to rotate the tires -- a procedure that should be done approximately every 15,000 miles. If sub-code 2 is displayed, replace the engine’s air filter or the cabin air filter. At this time, you should also inspect the accessory drive belt and replace it if you see fraying of the edges, lengthwise cracking or glazing on the belt’s smooth side.
You’ll see sub-code 3 somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, and it means it is time to replace your Accord’s transmission fluid. When sub-code 4 comes up --normally around 90,000 to 100,000 miles -- it is time to pony up for new spark plugs, a new timing belt and an inspection of each valve's clearance in the cylinder heads. Inspect the water pump for any leakage or bearing noise and replace as needed. Sub-code 5 is normally displayed along with code No. 4 around the 100,000-mile mark and means it is time to replace the engine’s coolant.
In most cases, it is recommended -- and very cost effective -- that you replace the water pump when the timing belt is replaced. This is because the belt-driven water pump is relatively cheap, and replacing it does not increase labor. If the pump fails after you’ve replaced the timing belt, you’ll have to repeat the entire procedure again -- and pay additional labor costs.
Regardless of what maintenance service codes and sub-codes are displayed, you should change the brake fluid every three years. At around 160,000 miles, check the idle speed and adjust it if needed. If you begin to hear chatter from the valve train, have the intake and exhaust valves adjusted at your next service period or sooner if possible.
Even if you do not receive a maintenance reminder, replace the engine oil at least every year regardless of the oil-life reading. If you drive in a dry or dusty area regularly, replace the engine’s air filter every 15,000 miles to maintain maximum performance and fuel economy. If you travel through industrial areas a lot, replace the cabin air filter every 15,000 miles too. If you live or drive in an area subject to extreme temperatures -- above 110 degrees or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit -- or if you tow a trailer on a regular basis, replace the timing belt and water pump at every 60,000 miles.
