2004 Civic Maitenenance

Hello,

I purchased a new 2004 Honda Civic LX last August and am unclear about regular Maitenance. Currently the mileage is a little over 3200 and for the most part the car runs great. It made it through a rough Upstate NY winter and I want to make sure it gets the necessary checkup it's supposed to. My concern is that except for a few minor issues, the car is running great and based on past experience everytime I bring my car in for a checkup two weeks later there are ten things broken. I'm unclear about the Warranty either.

Here are my issues...

- General Fluid check up? On my old car the oil needed to be replaced every 3,000 miles...but that was a piece of crap ford escort. Someone told me the Honda can go 10,000 miles without replacing oil? huh? Is this true?

- There are a couple paint chips from winter salt and stones. ( >_< ) And I kind of scraped the bottom front lip of the car pulling out of a messed up parking lot. I don't want to be anal about stuff but i'd really like to get this stuff patched up before rust takes over my life. The car isn't even 1 year old! Do most honda repairshops offer detail packages where they deal with that stuff and also shampoo nasty interior winter carpet salt junk? I had those all weather mats but it doesn't really do much when you have ten feet of snow and slush outside.

- There is a subtle burning rubber/plastic smell on the right rear wheel side after you've driven around town. Should I have this looked at? Again, the car is running great and I hate to bring it in and get charged up the wazoo for nothing (Then there is the whole warranty thing? I don't know).

- Also, the spring mechanism that holds the lid to the cupholders down might be breaking...i'm guessing i'll have to live with this...heh...

So what do u think I should do? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Change oil every 5k not 10k. I think the owners manual even says that for severe driving which it sounds like you do. The sales people like to say 10k because it make the sale sound better.

The rubber smell, maybe take a peek under the car and see if there isnt a plastic bag stuck to the exhaust first.

If the beverage lid is breaking then bring it to the dealer they should replace it no questions asked.

3700 for first oil change
Every 3K/3months after

When you take your car in for the broken cup holder, get a maintenance list from the dealer. You can do it yourself or take it else where. If you don't do maintenance or don't have proof some warranty issues may not be coverd.

Other than fluids & filters, brakes need servicing. that includes keeping the brake pads and calipers moving freely.

Almost every thing is covered under warranty, light bulbs to wiper blades. Tires only warranty is with factory defect. brakes also have no warranty unless mechanical.

While your car is at the dealer they can setup an estimate with a touch-up company. They do decent work for the price, body shops can do a better job but the price is a lot more.