"Elle" <honda.lioness@earthlink.net> wrote:

>It really should be there. Check again, and, if no go, then
>call the dealer's service department and ask where it is.
>
>One can also use the Owner's Link at
>http://automobiles.honda.com/ to obtain the service
>schedule. It's free. :-)
>
>"Oakparker" <oakparker@gmail.com> wrote
>> I just bought a 2006 Civic LX AT Sedan. In going through
>the manual
>> and related materials, I can't find a mantenance and
>service schedule.
>> My old 1998 Civic had a booklet indicating what kinds of
>service the
>> car needed at different mileage intervals. Is there such
>a schedule
>> for the Civic and if so how would I obtain a copy?
>

Actually, Oakparker is correct. I just bought a 2006 Civic LX AT sedan as well.
The owner's manual does *not* contain a maintenance schedule. What it does
contain are the instructions for responding to the "Maintenance Minder".

The Maintenance Minder is a system on the car itself which keeps track of the
remaining oil life, as a percentage, and prompts the driver when it's time to
change the oil, along with any other maintenance that the system has determined
the car is due for. Along with the percentage of oil life remaining, various
codes may be displayed -- (here's the list for those who are curious)

A - replace engine oil

B - replace engine oil and filter
inspect brakes
check parking brake
inspect following:
tie rod ends, steering geer box, end boots
suspension components
driveshaft boots
brake hoses and lines
all fluid levels and condition of fluids
exhaust system
fuel lines and connections

1 - rotate tires

2 - replace air cleaner element
replace dust and pollen filter
inspect drive belt

3 - replace transmission fluid

4 - replace spark plugs
inspect value clearance

5 - replace engine coolant

And that's it. Nowhere in the manual does it give an indication of at what
mileage these codes are likely to pop up. And unfortunately, contrary to Elle's
suggestion, all that the Honda's Owners Link gives you is the same information
in the manual.

Some drivers might like the idea of just doing what their car tells them to do
when it tells them to do it, but personally I'd prefer a standard recommended
maintenance schedule so that I can *plan* the maintenance in advance.

Also, the dealer told me that I shouldn't have to change the oil until I reach
the 10,000 mile point. Is that the truth, or should I expect that my car is
going to tell me something different? If it does tell me something different,
is it because the oil is being broken down faster due to some deeper underlying
problem that should be investigated?

Another thing is that the Honda Civic has an interference engine, and absolutely
needs the timing belt replaced in a timely (all puns intended) fashion before it
breaks -- but the Maintenance Minder system doesn't mention the belt replacement
at all.

This is my first Honda, and I'd planned on doing most of the maintenance more
often than the schedule, because I really want this car to last. That's a bit
difficult to do when you don't know what the schedule is.

I guess I just would prefer that I make the decisions about my car, rather than
meekly obeying my car when it deigns to tell me when it needs something.