Did you recently purchase your first vehicle? Are you searching for "Honda service near me" to ensure your car has everything it needs to run its best? You’re already off to an excellent start because that search brought you to our dealership.

First and foremost, congratulations on entering the wonderful world of vehicle ownership. As you get comfortable behind the wheel, we’ll help you get the most from your Honda every mile down the road. Our state-of-the-art service center is your service destination, and the perks of working with us start now. Here’s a quick overview of essential car maintenance that you’ll want to add to your to-do list as a new car owner.

#1 - Get Familiar with Your Owner’s Manual

We’re here to help you celebrate your role as a vehicle owner by ensuring you have the tools you need to maintain your car, truck, or SUV. One of the most important tools is your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Every car comes with an owner’s manual, and Honda offers digital copies on its website. This manual provides everything you need to know about your vehicle, from the location of the brake fluid reservoir and recovery points to the type of oil required and recommended tire pressure.

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the owner’s manual, making special notes about the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals. These intervals are a general guideline on when to change the oil, rotate the tires, replace the air filters, service the transmission, and inspect the brakes. The key is to remember this is a guideline and that your driving style, the environment, and other factors can affect the intervals. For example, you'll likely need more frequent oil changes if you consistently tow heavy loads with your truck.

#2 - Oil Changes, Tire Rotations, and Multipoint Inspections

One of the essentials of maintaining your vehicle is bringing it in for a routine oil change, tire rotation, and multipoint inspection. The engine in your car relies on many moving parts working together. This movement generates extreme heat, while the engine’s proximity to the road means it's susceptible to debris. Oil mitigates these conditions by lubricating the components and removing dirt and debris before they can damage the engine. Over time, the oil loses its effectiveness, and the oil filter becomes clogged with debris, requiring regular oil changes.

Every routine oil change should also include a tire rotation and multipoint inspection. Your tires are your car’s only point of contact with the road, and, as you’ll eventually learn, they can be expensive to replace. Rotating the tires promotes even tread wear and extends their longevity. Once completed, our technicians can conduct a multipoint inspection, assessing the engine, transmission, suspension, battery, tires, brakes, and other components to determine any areas that need immediate or future attention.

#3 - Regular Tire Maintenance

As a new driver, it’s essential to know the significant role your tires play in your safety behind the wheel. The tires must be properly inflated and have plenty of tread, or you risk creating hazardous driving conditions. For example, an underinflated tire can lead to a blowout, and a bald tire can hydroplane in slippery conditions.

Regular tire maintenance starts with monitoring the tire pressure using your vehicle’s built-in tire pressure monitoring system or a tire gauge. You can refer to the owner’s manual or the sticker located on the driver’s door jamb for the recommended tire pressure (do not inflate to the pressure marked on the tire itself—that's the maximum pressure it can handle safely). Additionally, it’s important to know how to measure the tread, whether using a penny test or turning to our technicians for help. We can also repair flats and help you shop for new tires, overseeing mounting, installation, alignments, and balancing as needed.

#4 - Battery Diagnostics

As a new vehicle owner, you likely haven’t encountered a dead battery and the inconvenience that ensues when your car won’t start. Unfortunately, every driver will likely experience a dead battery at some point in their lives. Why? Predicting the lifespan of a car battery is impossible, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be proactive about its condition and operation.

Anytime you pop the hood, visually inspect the battery and its connections. Look for signs of damage or corrosion. Also, pay attention to how your vehicle starts because a delay in the engine turning over can indicate a dying battery. When this occurs, you can bring your car in and have our technicians run diagnostics on the battery and, if necessary, install a replacement.

#5 - Lights and Wipers

Modern vehicles are often equipped with LED lights and automatic high beams that brighten and dim based on traffic. However, if any of these lights fail, your safety is at risk because your visibility is limited, and other vehicles will have trouble seeing you on the road. Routinely checking the lights is essential and easy. You can park your car and have someone confirm that the headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals work.

This is also a great time to check and replace the windshield wipers. Windshield wipers aren’t meant to last forever and, as they wear, are less effective at clearing rain, snow, sleet, and other debris off your windshield. Many manufacturers recommend replacing the windshield wipers with each season, ensuring your visibility is the best as you navigate the road year-round.

#6 - Fluids and Filters

Every multipoint inspection at our service center includes checking the fluids and filters. Your vehicle relies on many different types of fluids to run optimally. For example, the oil lubricates and cools the engine, while the windshield wiper fluid cleans the windshield and improves your visibility. Brake fluid allows you to stop, and transmission fluid ensures your car smoothly shifts gears.

Routinely checking and topping off these fluids is a must and is something we can easily assist with at our service center. We will also check and replace your vehicle’s air filters, including the engine air filter that provides a steady stream of clean air to the engine and the cabin filter that prevents pollutants from entering the cab. These services seem mundane, but they’re integral to your vehicle’s performance and your experience behind the wheel.

#7 - Wash and Wax

Many car maintenance checklists focus on components like the engine, transmission, brakes, fluids, and batteries. These are all essential, but so is maintaining your car’s exterior and interior. As a vehicle owner, you’re responsible for washing, waxing, and cleaning your vehicle to ensure it looks its best every mile ahead.

Washing and waxing your car can be as simple as driving through your local car wash and using the vacuums to remove dirt and debris from the floor mats. It can also mean having your car professionally detailed at our dealership or tackling the project from the convenience of your garage. Either way, washing your vehicle is essential, and routine waxing helps protect and preserve the paint.

Bumper-to-Bumper Responsibilities

Realizing how many responsibilities you have as a vehicle owner can be overwhelming. You’re not only responsible for registering the car and making your monthly loan payments, but you’re also the one filling the tank with fuel and navigating life on the roads. Now, you also have to ensure your car has everything it needs to run its best. Fortunately, you’re not alone and can turn to our team to help shoulder the weight of vehicle maintenance. From our maintenance checklist to our comprehensive lineup of services, owning and maintaining your vehicle is straightforward and hassle-free. So, go ahead and celebrate your new role and enjoy every moment behind the wheel.