Hello scotty! love your channel, I hope you're doing well. I recently purchased a used civic 2012 with 80,000km. The car runs well, seems well maintained and all original. I'm planning to do long drives in the summer would you advise changing the alternator, belt, water pump, starter, and thermostat? I'm planning to do the alternator for sure, but I would love to hear your expert opinion. Also, the car has those typical Canadian tiny rust spots on the hood any recommendations? Take care of yourself Scotty, much love from northern Alberta.
The OEM alternator is better than any aftermarket or even OES unit you could get. Don't change the alternator. Test it with a ArtiBattery 101 or another battery/alternator tester (or a multimeter).
As for the thermostat, make sure that you get a Honda part, from a dealer (lots of counterfeit Honda and Toyota parts on Ebay and Amazon). Obviously, it's best to change out (and probably easiest) the thermostat as part of a coolant drain and fill. Do that, for sure.
I would not change the water pump and starter, because they are known good. New DOES NOT equal known good. Those items aren't maintenance.
As for the belts, the OEM part is likely to be better than any replacement you can get. Inspect them, look to see if they are worn on the inside, but they aren't necessarily a maintenance item.
Things you might want to change out (cheap but good risk management options):
The radiator cap, the gas cap, the PCV. Check the spark plugs, to see if they are in good shape. If there's any doubt, change those spark plugs. (Fresh plugs will extend the life of the coil packs). Check and/or change the cabin air filter. Change the engine air filter.
Drain and fill the coolant. Look for tiny leaks or crack in the radiator. Do a transmission drain and fill (and perhaps a filter replacement) with OEM fluid. Some 2012 Civics have hydraulic power steering fluid. (Others have electronic power steering). If it's hydraulic, then refresh the fluid.
Check the brake fluid for water content. Flush the brakes if needed.
Have a good and recent spare tire. (Anything over six years old is suspect, in terms of tire age/safety). Make sure that it's at the right PSI to begin the trip.
Check tire wear, generally. Have either a lithium battery charger or an Autowit supercharger. Replace your battery if its more than three years old.
Enjoy your travels.
this is great @geriscan. Thank you, I appreciate it man!
Don't change anything that isn't broken.
Use a touch-up paint pen to fix the hood spots.
Thanks man!
Are they showing any signs of wearing/failing?
If not, why fix something that isn’t broken?
From your list, the only things I’d change as preventative maintenance would be the fan belt & thermostat.
Do you have access to the car’s service history?
The car's service history only shows few oil changes, brake jobs and battery replacement. But true indeed, why fix what is not broken, however, I'm concerned the alternator might die in the middle of nowhere. I guess I will just test the battery, starter, and alternator right before the long drive. What do you think guys?
Yup, load test your electrical system. That should give you a clear picture of your battery & alternator’s health. The rest, I’d just leave them alone until you see tell tale signs of imminent failure. Enjoy your long drives!
thanks man!
No worries.
50,000 miles?
I know its way too early to change the water pump and starter. Don't change them. What a waste and risk.
As for the rest, I'm not sure about so refer above.
Your owners manual should also have some intervals for these stuff.