Installed new car battery into our 2011 Honda Pilot.

Just got a "middle of the range" 3yr warranty regular old battery from my local kragan, that I will need to remember to add water to. Cost was about US$200.

Old one went dead: all car electronics dark.

But, gratitude for the old battery, and the AutoClub (AAA), installed by AAA and whatever ( Read more... )

4.5qts 5w20 synthetic high mileage kragan motor oil.

WIX 57356 oil filter.

Odometer is at 125,749miles.

Took our 2011 Honda Pilot for its registration-required SMOG test. Passed. 125k miles on the odometer. It remains a good car to us all these years.

The were polite and busy! STAR SMOG CHECK CHECK CENTER 5402 Rosemead Blvd. San Gabriel.

Took the entire family and grandmother to Big Bear Lake recently.

Used our 2011 Honda Pilot to take everyone there. Was six passengers and luggage. Was the first "big trip" using the car fully loaded with passengers and luggage since doing the 100k mile valve lash adjustments and 100k mile timing belt kit replacement.

From the San Gabriel ( Read more... )

Noticed the plastic headlight lens covers were starting to look mildly cloudy / mildly dirty. Time to re-polish the lens covers for night time driving safety, and it kinda makes the car look "younger" too.

Used a shop rag and Novus #2 plastic polish.

For each lens cover, squeezed about 1/4 teaspoon or so, a small glop, into the shop rag.

( Read more... )

2011 Honda Pilot - front interior map light bulb replacement procedure

The light bulb is Sylvania part number DE3175 for the two front interior map lights.

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Use a one inch wide putty knife. Press the button of one of the interior map lights towards the ceiling of the car ("push it in and hold it in"). While pressed in, use the putty knife ( Read more... )

2011 Honda Pilot - passenger side front axle replacement procedure

Now that the 100k mile required procedures of (valve lash adjustment + timing belt kit replacement) are completed, the next outstanding issue is the front axles.

The odometer is at 125k miles, currently.

Specifically, ever since around 100k miles, the car makes dry creaking ( Read more... )

2011 Honda Pilot - Zombieland rule #32 - enjoy the little things
Just knowing I can

Have driven about 100miles since finishing the timing belt kit replacement. No noticable leaks of power steering fluid or coolant. Car seems to be running "normally." Engine feels quiet and smooth. Fuel mileage seems about the same, as well. So...

Now that My ( Read more... )

2011 Honda Pilot - timing belt replacement - PART 8
Reconnect frame electrical ground to motor mount

Reconnect the electrical ground wire to the motor mount. 10mm 1/2" bolt to the radiator-side threaded hole on the motor mount.
Reconnect electric bus bracket to top of elastomer motor mount

Reconnect stamped metal bracket to the top of the ( Read more... )

2011 Honda Pilot - timing belt replacement - PART 7
Do a painfully slow two crankshaft rotations

Connect a 19mm 6pt socket to the crankshaft bolt.

Do the below, one crankshaft tooth at-a-time, until two full crankshaft rotations are achieved successfully:

Advance the crankshaft, clockwise, one single crankshaft gear tooth ( Read more... )