1996 honda accord lx

[JM]

hi i have an accord and not v6 not vtec engine 2-door and powr everything no sunroof anyways the car has 89k miles and i do my own oil changes and tune ups but when i look by the speedometer theres a red box that says maintenece required what does that mean and do i have to take it in to the dealer to make it green again ? what is that for and what does it monitor? thanks in advance for anyone who can answer these questions.

Joe M

 

[HondaNewbie]

hi i have an accord and not v6 not vtec engine 2-door and powr everything no sunroof anyways the car has 89k miles and i do my own oil changes and tune ups but when i look by the speedometer theres a red box that says maintenece required what does that mean and do i have to take it in to the dealer to make it green again ? what is that for and what does it monitor?

You don't need to take it to the dealer. the light usually comes on when its time to change engine oil. If you have changed it recently, you just need to reset the light. I don't have a 96 Accord so don't exactly where the reset button is. Somebody with 96 accord will surely point it out.

So dont worry about the 'maintenance required light' coming up red.

hth
HNB

 

[C B George]

hi i have an accord and not v6 not vtec engine 2-door and powr everything no sunroof anyways the car has 89k miles and i do my own oil changes and tune ups but when i look by the speedometer theres a red box that says maintenece required what does that mean and do i have to take it in to the dealer to make it green again ? what is that for and what does it monitor? thanks in advance for anyone who can answer these questions.

Joe M

There is a little slot next to the "light." A Honda key tip fits perfectly in the slot and resets the light. The only thing I can figure is that it is based on mileage.
C

 

[Howard (archive)]

DO WORRY about your red maintenance light. There is a very important milestone that your car has acheived at 90K miles. The most important is:
IT'S TIME TO CHANGE YOUR TIMING BELT. That is if it hasn't already been done. Do not procrastinate, do not delay. If your T-Belt breaks, you WILL do major damage to your engine. It may not break today, and it may not break next month, but if you ignore it, it WILL break. While you're at it, it would be wise to change your balance shaft belt, power steering belt, air conditioner belt, water pump, cam seal, crank seal and balance shaft seal with retainer. All these items are a common preventive maintenance. If you want your car to last and continue to give you troublefree (or as close to it) you should follow a preventive maintenance schedule. A Honda is a quaity car, but it does require maintenance. If all you do is follow the recommended maintenance schedule, your car should last quite a long time. And don't trust it to an average mechanic. Find a Honda specialist, or a dealer. You'd be surprised at the competitive prices at dealerships these days. Don't let people fool you, there is a difference. You might pay just a bit more (sometimes), but the quality of work and the knowledge of your vehicle is unsurpassed. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Take this advice from a 30 year owner Honda veteran. Just my $.02 worth.
Howard

 

[E. Meyer]

The red light does not come on when the timing belt is due. It only clocks out mileage for oil changes.

 

[Marcs]

I think the idea of replacing the timing belt is largely a "myth", and used as a scare tactic by sales/service people to pad their pockets.

I've NEVER replaced a timing belt, with over 220,000 miles... on two different accords. I just think it's a waste, unneeded with any modern honda (the last 15 or so years)

The Red Light could means lots of things, it has NOTHING to do with a timing belt. There is no set "light" to come on at set intervals.

Spending money on all those "maintenance" items is money not well spent.

MSE

 

[JM]

..cool thanks btw i forgot to mention that i changed the timing belt at 60k so i should be cool till 120k

 

[Scott (archive)]

On my 94 Accord, which is considered the same generation as your 96, the light comes on every 12 000km, mainly to indicate that it's time for the next scheduled regular maintenance as indicated in your manual. Once you reset it, it will turn red again in anoter 12 000km.
Hope this helps.