Chances are that if you’ve Googled “Honda service,” you’re looking to either maintain your vehicle or find parts to personalize your ride. Whether you’re interested in an oil change, new tires, or adding some fun accessories to your Honda, there are plenty of options, and once you get started, it might be a little difficult to stop. We spend a lot of our lives on the road––daily commutes, running errands, road trips, family vacations, visiting friends, etc. It stands to reason that you want to ensure your vehicle is safe and up-to-date on its maintenance and that driving it is fun. Hondas are known for their longevity, and part of that is making sure it is properly taken care of with regular maintenance from either yourself or a mechanic. There are plenty of ways to dress it up, but which ones actually add to the fun?
Keep Track of Regular Maintenance
You might be able to do some of these maintenance items on your own, but it’s also okay to go to a professional and get your vehicle looked over. Depending on the age of your Honda and its condition, you may need to spend more time on maintenance than the owner’s manual suggests. Only you and your mechanic know your vehicle, so it’s best to rely on that knowledge base instead of a strict schedule online.
It’s recommended that you get your car serviced at least once a year for maintenance items like changing the oil, checking all your fluids, and inspecting the brakes and tires. This allows you to make sure nothing is wrong or that, if it is, you’ve spotted it early enough to fix it before anything gets worse. Medium issues, like replacing your windshield wipers and air filters, can be handled on your own or by a professional and will last longer than the smaller items, like adding more fluids. Inspect, rotate, and replace tires as needed.
If you’re aware of an issue that could occur with an older Honda, you’ll want to take your car to the mechanic for that service or look it over for yourself. The most common things to check are the battery (clean terminals and cables), fuel lines, and engine belts. While maintaining the battery is easy enough to DIY, it’s best to go to a local garage instead of trying to handle the fuel lines and belts yourself. Unless, of course, you have a dedicated space and the knowledge to handle such a task.
Another thing to keep in mind is the specials that dealership service centers and regular mechanics have throughout the year. You could save on getting an oil change, buying new tires, having an inspection, or even installing a better suspension system. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye out, just in case.
Trick Out Your Ride
There aren’t many people who haven’t at least considered adding an accessory or two to their Honda. While modifications can run from inexpensive to very expensive, if you have an idea of what you want, you’ll be able to find someone who does it, or you can go the DIY route. Depending on which Honda you have, you might be interested in some of the following upgrades.
LED lighting is one of the most popular ways to add pizzazz to a vehicle. One easy thing you can definitely DIY is LED lights––preferably inside the cabin––and they come in a variety of colors. In some states, it is illegal to add LED lighting to the outside or underneath your vehicle, so please be aware of what is legal in your state and make sure you’re following all guidelines concerning placement and light color. If you have a white Honda, you might want to use purple or green LEDs. If you drive a black Honda, you might want to go with yellow or orange, especially if you’re into Halloween. You can buy the kit yourself and install it, or you can have your mechanic do it next time you’re going in for a maintenance visit.
Another fun way to trick out your Honda is to add some color or even custom graphics. While having the entire car wrapped or painted is expensive, smaller jobs cost much less and allow you to show off your unique style. There is a wide range of choices available, depending on the artist, your time frame, and what you’re willing to spend on it. Many airbrush artists work on vehicles and are familiar with the types of paint used on them. They can take your bland, boring car and make it a unique, beautiful canvas.
One way to customize your Honda while keeping your budget low is to buy seat covers, which allow you to add a dash of your own personality to your vehicle and keep the seats clean. You can grab the seat covers and give them a wash instead of having to get into weird, contorted positions to wash the actual seats. There are several patterns and colors to choose from, and even a variety of fandoms you can show love for with your seat covers. Go wild!
Turn Your Honda Into an Off-Road Superstar
Do you enjoy the great outdoors? Are you always looking forward to that next camping trip? Then you might want to see what you can do to ensure your Honda is as off-road-ready as you are. The first thing you’ll want is a lift kit, so your vehicle can easily travel over debris and piles of rocks. There are many simple-to-install spacer lift kits to choose from, so you don’t have to invest in major upgrades to get a bit more ground clearance for your Honda.
The next step is to get some tires that can handle rough terrain. Again, there are many choices, but only a few will do well with your Honda. Look for mud tires if you’re in an area that’s more swampy or has lots of muddy trails. If you’re in a dry area, look for all-terrain tires that can handle rough weather, sand, gravel, and brush. You may have to alter your Honda just a bit to be able to fit those bigger tires, but if you’re committed to spending more time with nature, a small change to the outward appearance of your Honda won’t make much difference.
You can also add accessories––grab more than one or two add-ons to include in your off-road bag. Mudguards, straps, light bars, and a battery jump pack are all good ideas for your treks, come rain or shine. Many of these items can be found online or in an auto parts shop, and since there are many brands and colors to choose from, you’ll have a variety of options at your fingertips. There are also phone holders, trashcans, seatback organizers, sun shades, and many more options to trick out your vehicle’s interior.
You Don’t Have to Stay Basic
There are plenty of people who won’t change a thing about their newly purchased vehicle, but you don’t have to be one of them. You can change it up and add some unique extra features that make your Honda more fun and stand out. You can take it off-road, turn it into a tricked-out vehicle to drive around downtown, or find a happy medium between the two. You don’t have to have a boring car. Even if you don’t want to trick it out all the way, find a few things you like that add to your driving experience. Since you’ll be spending a good chunk of your time in your Honda, you get to decide how it looks and operates, and a lot of those decisions can be incredibly fun. Don’t let the masses stop you from creating your own version of the Honda you drive.