"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote
> "jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote
>> Michael Pardee wrote:
>>> "Tegger" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote
>>>> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for
>>>> emergency -- very
>>>> short-term -- use.
>>>>
>>> Oh - like pilots peeing in the hydraulic reservoir when
>>> the gear won't pump down!
>>
>> voluntarily or involuntarily?

(Ha!)

> They always say they did it on purpose....

Love that guy talk. :-)

(Cripes, did I really just write that?!)

 

"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote
> "jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote
>> Michael Pardee wrote:
>>> "Tegger" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote
>>>> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for
>>>> emergency -- very
>>>> short-term -- use.
>>>>
>>> Oh - like pilots peeing in the hydraulic reservoir when
>>> the gear won't pump down!
>>
>> voluntarily or involuntarily?

(Ha!)

> They always say they did it on purpose....

Love that guy talk. :-)

(Cripes, did I really just write that?!)

 

"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote
> "jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote
>> Michael Pardee wrote:
>>> "Tegger" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote
>>>> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for
>>>> emergency -- very
>>>> short-term -- use.
>>>>
>>> Oh - like pilots peeing in the hydraulic reservoir when
>>> the gear won't pump down!
>>
>> voluntarily or involuntarily?

(Ha!)

> They always say they did it on purpose....

Love that guy talk. :-)

(Cripes, did I really just write that?!)

 

"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote
> "jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote
>> Michael Pardee wrote:
>>> "Tegger" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote
>>>> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for
>>>> emergency -- very
>>>> short-term -- use.
>>>>
>>> Oh - like pilots peeing in the hydraulic reservoir when
>>> the gear won't pump down!
>>
>> voluntarily or involuntarily?

(Ha!)

> They always say they did it on purpose....

Love that guy talk. :-)

(Cripes, did I really just write that?!)

 

Unquestionably Confused <puzzled2@ameritech.net> wrote in
news8Xph.58424$qO4.16876@newssvr13.news.prodigy. net:

> Michael Pardee wrote:
>>>>> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for emergency
>>>>> -- very
>>>>> short-term -- use.
>>>>>
>>>> Oh - like pilots peeing in the hydraulic reservoir when the gear
>>>> won't pump down!
>>> voluntarily or involuntarily?
>>
>> They always say they did it on purpose....
>
>
> How do they explain that lump in their pants and that gawd awful
> smell?
>
>
>



No pilot has that. They are brave, rugged, manly men. They never poop their
pants. Or so they will tell you.

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

 

Unquestionably Confused <puzzled2@ameritech.net> wrote in
news8Xph.58424$qO4.16876@newssvr13.news.prodigy. net:

> Michael Pardee wrote:
>>>>> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for emergency
>>>>> -- very
>>>>> short-term -- use.
>>>>>
>>>> Oh - like pilots peeing in the hydraulic reservoir when the gear
>>>> won't pump down!
>>> voluntarily or involuntarily?
>>
>> They always say they did it on purpose....
>
>
> How do they explain that lump in their pants and that gawd awful
> smell?
>
>
>



No pilot has that. They are brave, rugged, manly men. They never poop their
pants. Or so they will tell you.

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

 

Unquestionably Confused <puzzled2@ameritech.net> wrote in
news8Xph.58424$qO4.16876@newssvr13.news.prodigy. net:

> Michael Pardee wrote:
>>>>> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for emergency
>>>>> -- very
>>>>> short-term -- use.
>>>>>
>>>> Oh - like pilots peeing in the hydraulic reservoir when the gear
>>>> won't pump down!
>>> voluntarily or involuntarily?
>>
>> They always say they did it on purpose....
>
>
> How do they explain that lump in their pants and that gawd awful
> smell?
>
>
>



No pilot has that. They are brave, rugged, manly men. They never poop their
pants. Or so they will tell you.

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

 

Unquestionably Confused <puzzled2@ameritech.net> wrote in
news8Xph.58424$qO4.16876@newssvr13.news.prodigy. net:

> Michael Pardee wrote:
>>>>> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for emergency
>>>>> -- very
>>>>> short-term -- use.
>>>>>
>>>> Oh - like pilots peeing in the hydraulic reservoir when the gear
>>>> won't pump down!
>>> voluntarily or involuntarily?
>>
>> They always say they did it on purpose....
>
>
> How do they explain that lump in their pants and that gawd awful
> smell?
>
>
>



No pilot has that. They are brave, rugged, manly men. They never poop their
pants. Or so they will tell you.

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

 

In <Xns98B6CA73DD973tegger@207.14.116.130> Tegger wrote:
> rpms0605@yahoo.com wrote in news:20070110222004732-0500
> @news1.news.adelphia.net:
>
>> Just bought a 2007 Civic. Real nice car but I don't particularly
>> care for the Maintenance Minder feature. I prefer to know what
>> mileagae they reccomend such repairs as flushing the transmission
>> fluid or changing out the radiotor coolant or changing the air
>> filter. Does anyone know what these mileage reccomendations are on
>> a Honda?
>
>
>
> Just what the Maintenance Minder says.
>
> Of course, other than the very first oil change, there is absolutely
> nothing to stop you from doing MORE maintenance than what the Minder
> wants. The more the merrier. I like to do lots more than the manual
> says.
>
>
>>
>> Also, what's up with the owner's manual saying you can only use non-
>> Honda fluids (such as tranny fluid, coolant, brake fluid) on a
>> temporary basis. is there something special about Honda brake fluid?
>> Isn't it illegal for a company to claim this?
>
>
>
> Not in the slightest, so long as they can prove that damage will occur
> if non-specified fluids are used.
>
> Read the wording carefully. If they say Honda fluids SHOULD be used,
> it means they'd like you to use their fluids, but it's not essential.
> If they say Honda fluids MUST be used, well then that's gospel; the
> machinery is designed in such a way that damage will occur with the
> use of incorrect fluids.
>
> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for emergency --
> very short-term -- use.
>
> It must be said that Honda mechanical components enjoy extraordinarily
> long lives when properly cared for. There are advantages to buying a
> car made by a company obsessed with engineering.


Several of these replies almost sound like they're coming from Honda
dealers. I guess I am a bit suspicious of this "Maintenance Minder"
device. Do you really think it has sensors located throughout the
engine and transmission? Do you think it makes economic sense for Honda
to install such complicated and sophisticated instrumentation on a $17,
000 car? I'm a mechanical engineer and my guess is that this system
simply takes note of the mileage and temperature and averages it out to
tell you to change the oil. Sort of a gimmick, if you ask me. Now, i
hate to sound suspicious but when an owners manual claims you can only
use Honda brand fluids and they also program their Maintenance Minder to
tell you when they need changing, well, I wonder how much influence the
Honda dealers had during the programming routine of this Maintenance
Minder?

Realistically, if I changed my brake fluid every 30,000 miles (as
recommended in the manual) and changed my oil/transmission fluid/
coolant whenever the dealer or Maintenance Minder advised me, well my
Ford would last forever, too.
>
>

 

In <Xns98B6CA73DD973tegger@207.14.116.130> Tegger wrote:
> rpms0605@yahoo.com wrote in news:20070110222004732-0500
> @news1.news.adelphia.net:
>
>> Just bought a 2007 Civic. Real nice car but I don't particularly
>> care for the Maintenance Minder feature. I prefer to know what
>> mileagae they reccomend such repairs as flushing the transmission
>> fluid or changing out the radiotor coolant or changing the air
>> filter. Does anyone know what these mileage reccomendations are on
>> a Honda?
>
>
>
> Just what the Maintenance Minder says.
>
> Of course, other than the very first oil change, there is absolutely
> nothing to stop you from doing MORE maintenance than what the Minder
> wants. The more the merrier. I like to do lots more than the manual
> says.
>
>
>>
>> Also, what's up with the owner's manual saying you can only use non-
>> Honda fluids (such as tranny fluid, coolant, brake fluid) on a
>> temporary basis. is there something special about Honda brake fluid?
>> Isn't it illegal for a company to claim this?
>
>
>
> Not in the slightest, so long as they can prove that damage will occur
> if non-specified fluids are used.
>
> Read the wording carefully. If they say Honda fluids SHOULD be used,
> it means they'd like you to use their fluids, but it's not essential.
> If they say Honda fluids MUST be used, well then that's gospel; the
> machinery is designed in such a way that damage will occur with the
> use of incorrect fluids.
>
> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for emergency --
> very short-term -- use.
>
> It must be said that Honda mechanical components enjoy extraordinarily
> long lives when properly cared for. There are advantages to buying a
> car made by a company obsessed with engineering.


Several of these replies almost sound like they're coming from Honda
dealers. I guess I am a bit suspicious of this "Maintenance Minder"
device. Do you really think it has sensors located throughout the
engine and transmission? Do you think it makes economic sense for Honda
to install such complicated and sophisticated instrumentation on a $17,
000 car? I'm a mechanical engineer and my guess is that this system
simply takes note of the mileage and temperature and averages it out to
tell you to change the oil. Sort of a gimmick, if you ask me. Now, i
hate to sound suspicious but when an owners manual claims you can only
use Honda brand fluids and they also program their Maintenance Minder to
tell you when they need changing, well, I wonder how much influence the
Honda dealers had during the programming routine of this Maintenance
Minder?

Realistically, if I changed my brake fluid every 30,000 miles (as
recommended in the manual) and changed my oil/transmission fluid/
coolant whenever the dealer or Maintenance Minder advised me, well my
Ford would last forever, too.
>
>

 

In <Xns98B6CA73DD973tegger@207.14.116.130> Tegger wrote:
> rpms0605@yahoo.com wrote in news:20070110222004732-0500
> @news1.news.adelphia.net:
>
>> Just bought a 2007 Civic. Real nice car but I don't particularly
>> care for the Maintenance Minder feature. I prefer to know what
>> mileagae they reccomend such repairs as flushing the transmission
>> fluid or changing out the radiotor coolant or changing the air
>> filter. Does anyone know what these mileage reccomendations are on
>> a Honda?
>
>
>
> Just what the Maintenance Minder says.
>
> Of course, other than the very first oil change, there is absolutely
> nothing to stop you from doing MORE maintenance than what the Minder
> wants. The more the merrier. I like to do lots more than the manual
> says.
>
>
>>
>> Also, what's up with the owner's manual saying you can only use non-
>> Honda fluids (such as tranny fluid, coolant, brake fluid) on a
>> temporary basis. is there something special about Honda brake fluid?
>> Isn't it illegal for a company to claim this?
>
>
>
> Not in the slightest, so long as they can prove that damage will occur
> if non-specified fluids are used.
>
> Read the wording carefully. If they say Honda fluids SHOULD be used,
> it means they'd like you to use their fluids, but it's not essential.
> If they say Honda fluids MUST be used, well then that's gospel; the
> machinery is designed in such a way that damage will occur with the
> use of incorrect fluids.
>
> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for emergency --
> very short-term -- use.
>
> It must be said that Honda mechanical components enjoy extraordinarily
> long lives when properly cared for. There are advantages to buying a
> car made by a company obsessed with engineering.


Several of these replies almost sound like they're coming from Honda
dealers. I guess I am a bit suspicious of this "Maintenance Minder"
device. Do you really think it has sensors located throughout the
engine and transmission? Do you think it makes economic sense for Honda
to install such complicated and sophisticated instrumentation on a $17,
000 car? I'm a mechanical engineer and my guess is that this system
simply takes note of the mileage and temperature and averages it out to
tell you to change the oil. Sort of a gimmick, if you ask me. Now, i
hate to sound suspicious but when an owners manual claims you can only
use Honda brand fluids and they also program their Maintenance Minder to
tell you when they need changing, well, I wonder how much influence the
Honda dealers had during the programming routine of this Maintenance
Minder?

Realistically, if I changed my brake fluid every 30,000 miles (as
recommended in the manual) and changed my oil/transmission fluid/
coolant whenever the dealer or Maintenance Minder advised me, well my
Ford would last forever, too.
>
>

 

In <Xns98B6CA73DD973tegger@207.14.116.130> Tegger wrote:
> rpms0605@yahoo.com wrote in news:20070110222004732-0500
> @news1.news.adelphia.net:
>
>> Just bought a 2007 Civic. Real nice car but I don't particularly
>> care for the Maintenance Minder feature. I prefer to know what
>> mileagae they reccomend such repairs as flushing the transmission
>> fluid or changing out the radiotor coolant or changing the air
>> filter. Does anyone know what these mileage reccomendations are on
>> a Honda?
>
>
>
> Just what the Maintenance Minder says.
>
> Of course, other than the very first oil change, there is absolutely
> nothing to stop you from doing MORE maintenance than what the Minder
> wants. The more the merrier. I like to do lots more than the manual
> says.
>
>
>>
>> Also, what's up with the owner's manual saying you can only use non-
>> Honda fluids (such as tranny fluid, coolant, brake fluid) on a
>> temporary basis. is there something special about Honda brake fluid?
>> Isn't it illegal for a company to claim this?
>
>
>
> Not in the slightest, so long as they can prove that damage will occur
> if non-specified fluids are used.
>
> Read the wording carefully. If they say Honda fluids SHOULD be used,
> it means they'd like you to use their fluids, but it's not essential.
> If they say Honda fluids MUST be used, well then that's gospel; the
> machinery is designed in such a way that damage will occur with the
> use of incorrect fluids.
>
> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for emergency --
> very short-term -- use.
>
> It must be said that Honda mechanical components enjoy extraordinarily
> long lives when properly cared for. There are advantages to buying a
> car made by a company obsessed with engineering.


Several of these replies almost sound like they're coming from Honda
dealers. I guess I am a bit suspicious of this "Maintenance Minder"
device. Do you really think it has sensors located throughout the
engine and transmission? Do you think it makes economic sense for Honda
to install such complicated and sophisticated instrumentation on a $17,
000 car? I'm a mechanical engineer and my guess is that this system
simply takes note of the mileage and temperature and averages it out to
tell you to change the oil. Sort of a gimmick, if you ask me. Now, i
hate to sound suspicious but when an owners manual claims you can only
use Honda brand fluids and they also program their Maintenance Minder to
tell you when they need changing, well, I wonder how much influence the
Honda dealers had during the programming routine of this Maintenance
Minder?

Realistically, if I changed my brake fluid every 30,000 miles (as
recommended in the manual) and changed my oil/transmission fluid/
coolant whenever the dealer or Maintenance Minder advised me, well my
Ford would last forever, too.
>
>

 

rpms0605@yahoo.com wrote:
> In <Xns98B6CA73DD973tegger@207.14.116.130> Tegger wrote:
>> rpms0605@yahoo.com wrote in news:20070110222004732-0500
>> @news1.news.adelphia.net:
>>
>>> Just bought a 2007 Civic. Real nice car but I don't particularly
>>> care for the Maintenance Minder feature. I prefer to know what
>>> mileagae they reccomend such repairs as flushing the transmission
>>> fluid or changing out the radiotor coolant or changing the air
>>> filter. Does anyone know what these mileage reccomendations are on
>>> a Honda?
>>
>>
>> Just what the Maintenance Minder says.
>>
>> Of course, other than the very first oil change, there is absolutely
>> nothing to stop you from doing MORE maintenance than what the Minder
>> wants. The more the merrier. I like to do lots more than the manual
>> says.
>>
>>
>>> Also, what's up with the owner's manual saying you can only use non-
>>> Honda fluids (such as tranny fluid, coolant, brake fluid) on a
>>> temporary basis. is there something special about Honda brake fluid?
>>> Isn't it illegal for a company to claim this?
>>
>>
>> Not in the slightest, so long as they can prove that damage will occur
>> if non-specified fluids are used.
>>
>> Read the wording carefully. If they say Honda fluids SHOULD be used,
>> it means they'd like you to use their fluids, but it's not essential.
>> If they say Honda fluids MUST be used, well then that's gospel; the
>> machinery is designed in such a way that damage will occur with the
>> use of incorrect fluids.
>>
>> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for emergency --
>> very short-term -- use.
>>
>> It must be said that Honda mechanical components enjoy extraordinarily
>> long lives when properly cared for. There are advantages to buying a
>> car made by a company obsessed with engineering.
>
>
> Several of these replies almost sound like they're coming from Honda
> dealers.

dealers, no. experienced professionals, yes.

> I guess I am a bit suspicious of this "Maintenance Minder"
> device.

suspicious???? suspicions based on what? have you researched this
subject and found this system to be defective?

> Do you really think it has sensors located throughout the
> engine and transmission?

no, but it doesn't need them. all it needs is an ecu with sufficient
smarts and memory to figure out whether you're doing 10k miles on a
freeway or 2k miles with the engine never getting into closed loop
injection mode.

> Do you think it makes economic sense for Honda
> to install such complicated and sophisticated instrumentation on a $17,
> 000 car?

the ecu has ooooodles of excess computing capacity - it's a no-brainer.

> I'm a mechanical engineer and my guess is that this system
> simply takes note of the mileage and temperature and averages it out to
> tell you to change the oil. Sort of a gimmick, if you ask me.

eh? i wish mine did it.

> Now, i
> hate to sound suspicious but when an owners manual claims you can only
> use Honda brand fluids and they also program their Maintenance Minder to
> tell you when they need changing, well, I wonder how much influence the
> Honda dealers had during the programming routine of this Maintenance
> Minder?

honda dealers had /zero/ influence on programming it. left to dealers,
you'd only be able to use honda gasoline, honda tires and you'd need the
oil changing ever other weekend.

>
> Realistically, if I changed my brake fluid every 30,000 miles (as
> recommended in the manual) and changed my oil/transmission fluid/
> coolant whenever the dealer or Maintenance Minder advised me, well my
> Ford would last forever, too.

why didn't you buy a ford and do that experiment then? i've worked on
enough of them to know your speculation is unfounded.

bottom line, if don't want to pay attention to the owner manual or the
experience of pros, you go ahead and do your own thing. particularly
the use of standard non-honda power steering fluid - i bet i can predict
the mechanical outcome and the validity of your warranty.

 

rpms0605@yahoo.com wrote:
> In <Xns98B6CA73DD973tegger@207.14.116.130> Tegger wrote:
>> rpms0605@yahoo.com wrote in news:20070110222004732-0500
>> @news1.news.adelphia.net:
>>
>>> Just bought a 2007 Civic. Real nice car but I don't particularly
>>> care for the Maintenance Minder feature. I prefer to know what
>>> mileagae they reccomend such repairs as flushing the transmission
>>> fluid or changing out the radiotor coolant or changing the air
>>> filter. Does anyone know what these mileage reccomendations are on
>>> a Honda?
>>
>>
>> Just what the Maintenance Minder says.
>>
>> Of course, other than the very first oil change, there is absolutely
>> nothing to stop you from doing MORE maintenance than what the Minder
>> wants. The more the merrier. I like to do lots more than the manual
>> says.
>>
>>
>>> Also, what's up with the owner's manual saying you can only use non-
>>> Honda fluids (such as tranny fluid, coolant, brake fluid) on a
>>> temporary basis. is there something special about Honda brake fluid?
>>> Isn't it illegal for a company to claim this?
>>
>>
>> Not in the slightest, so long as they can prove that damage will occur
>> if non-specified fluids are used.
>>
>> Read the wording carefully. If they say Honda fluids SHOULD be used,
>> it means they'd like you to use their fluids, but it's not essential.
>> If they say Honda fluids MUST be used, well then that's gospel; the
>> machinery is designed in such a way that damage will occur with the
>> use of incorrect fluids.
>>
>> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for emergency --
>> very short-term -- use.
>>
>> It must be said that Honda mechanical components enjoy extraordinarily
>> long lives when properly cared for. There are advantages to buying a
>> car made by a company obsessed with engineering.
>
>
> Several of these replies almost sound like they're coming from Honda
> dealers.

dealers, no. experienced professionals, yes.

> I guess I am a bit suspicious of this "Maintenance Minder"
> device.

suspicious???? suspicions based on what? have you researched this
subject and found this system to be defective?

> Do you really think it has sensors located throughout the
> engine and transmission?

no, but it doesn't need them. all it needs is an ecu with sufficient
smarts and memory to figure out whether you're doing 10k miles on a
freeway or 2k miles with the engine never getting into closed loop
injection mode.

> Do you think it makes economic sense for Honda
> to install such complicated and sophisticated instrumentation on a $17,
> 000 car?

the ecu has ooooodles of excess computing capacity - it's a no-brainer.

> I'm a mechanical engineer and my guess is that this system
> simply takes note of the mileage and temperature and averages it out to
> tell you to change the oil. Sort of a gimmick, if you ask me.

eh? i wish mine did it.

> Now, i
> hate to sound suspicious but when an owners manual claims you can only
> use Honda brand fluids and they also program their Maintenance Minder to
> tell you when they need changing, well, I wonder how much influence the
> Honda dealers had during the programming routine of this Maintenance
> Minder?

honda dealers had /zero/ influence on programming it. left to dealers,
you'd only be able to use honda gasoline, honda tires and you'd need the
oil changing ever other weekend.

>
> Realistically, if I changed my brake fluid every 30,000 miles (as
> recommended in the manual) and changed my oil/transmission fluid/
> coolant whenever the dealer or Maintenance Minder advised me, well my
> Ford would last forever, too.

why didn't you buy a ford and do that experiment then? i've worked on
enough of them to know your speculation is unfounded.

bottom line, if don't want to pay attention to the owner manual or the
experience of pros, you go ahead and do your own thing. particularly
the use of standard non-honda power steering fluid - i bet i can predict
the mechanical outcome and the validity of your warranty.

 

rpms0605@yahoo.com wrote:
> In <Xns98B6CA73DD973tegger@207.14.116.130> Tegger wrote:
>> rpms0605@yahoo.com wrote in news:20070110222004732-0500
>> @news1.news.adelphia.net:
>>
>>> Just bought a 2007 Civic. Real nice car but I don't particularly
>>> care for the Maintenance Minder feature. I prefer to know what
>>> mileagae they reccomend such repairs as flushing the transmission
>>> fluid or changing out the radiotor coolant or changing the air
>>> filter. Does anyone know what these mileage reccomendations are on
>>> a Honda?
>>
>>
>> Just what the Maintenance Minder says.
>>
>> Of course, other than the very first oil change, there is absolutely
>> nothing to stop you from doing MORE maintenance than what the Minder
>> wants. The more the merrier. I like to do lots more than the manual
>> says.
>>
>>
>>> Also, what's up with the owner's manual saying you can only use non-
>>> Honda fluids (such as tranny fluid, coolant, brake fluid) on a
>>> temporary basis. is there something special about Honda brake fluid?
>>> Isn't it illegal for a company to claim this?
>>
>>
>> Not in the slightest, so long as they can prove that damage will occur
>> if non-specified fluids are used.
>>
>> Read the wording carefully. If they say Honda fluids SHOULD be used,
>> it means they'd like you to use their fluids, but it's not essential.
>> If they say Honda fluids MUST be used, well then that's gospel; the
>> machinery is designed in such a way that damage will occur with the
>> use of incorrect fluids.
>>
>> Keep in mind that non-compliant fluids are often OK for emergency --
>> very short-term -- use.
>>
>> It must be said that Honda mechanical components enjoy extraordinarily
>> long lives when properly cared for. There are advantages to buying a
>> car made by a company obsessed with engineering.
>
>
> Several of these replies almost sound like they're coming from Honda
> dealers.

dealers, no. experienced professionals, yes.

> I guess I am a bit suspicious of this "Maintenance Minder"
> device.

suspicious???? suspicions based on what? have you researched this
subject and found this system to be defective?

> Do you really think it has sensors located throughout the
> engine and transmission?

no, but it doesn't need them. all it needs is an ecu with sufficient
smarts and memory to figure out whether you're doing 10k miles on a
freeway or 2k miles with the engine never getting into closed loop
injection mode.

> Do you think it makes economic sense for Honda
> to install such complicated and sophisticated instrumentation on a $17,
> 000 car?

the ecu has ooooodles of excess computing capacity - it's a no-brainer.

> I'm a mechanical engineer and my guess is that this system
> simply takes note of the mileage and temperature and averages it out to
> tell you to change the oil. Sort of a gimmick, if you ask me.

eh? i wish mine did it.

> Now, i
> hate to sound suspicious but when an owners manual claims you can only
> use Honda brand fluids and they also program their Maintenance Minder to
> tell you when they need changing, well, I wonder how much influence the
> Honda dealers had during the programming routine of this Maintenance
> Minder?

honda dealers had /zero/ influence on programming it. left to dealers,
you'd only be able to use honda gasoline, honda tires and you'd need the
oil changing ever other weekend.

>
> Realistically, if I changed my brake fluid every 30,000 miles (as
> recommended in the manual) and changed my oil/transmission fluid/
> coolant whenever the dealer or Maintenance Minder advised me, well my
> Ford would last forever, too.

why didn't you buy a ford and do that experiment then? i've worked on
enough of them to know your speculation is unfounded.

bottom line, if don't want to pay attention to the owner manual or the
experience of pros, you go ahead and do your own thing. particularly
the use of standard non-honda power steering fluid - i bet i can predict
the mechanical outcome and the validity of your warranty.