MANN Air and Cabin Filters

As you know, Honda parts are way expensive in Israel.
But if you want good aftermarket like MANN, it's hard to get them officially.

So I contacted Alexander Kuskildin in Czech Republic, that can get parts there and send worldwide.
I worked with him few years back with Skoda, see these posts.
And he replyed to me that he can get them! Awesome!

His prices are (rounded)
$22 - MANN C 24021 air filter
$30 - MANN CUK 2358 cabin filter with activated charcoal
$37 - MANN FP 2358 biofunctional cabin filter
Shipping for a package with tracking under 1 KG (3 filters together) is $24.

And I made the order. Within a week the box waited me at post office.
We split order into 2 to bypass extra fees at customs.

Packaging is above my expectations!

Hello there!

Interesting that cabin filters were made in Czech Republic :-)

And air-filter come from China.

Air filters is not interested, because I've used it once. And it has proper case printing and oiling.
Lets talk about cabin filters.

This is CUK 2358 with activated charcoal.
If you were looking charcoal filters in Israel at stores, it's cost about $75-100. But from EU you can afford it, it's much better than regular filter. I've tested few of these and it's way more clean air than basic not-charcoal filter.

And this is... something new for me. I learned that it's used on premium cars like BMW.
MANN FP 2358 biofunctional cabin filter. I wanna try these puppies too!
MANN have special site for it http://www.frecious-plus.com/en
May be it's more marketing thing, fancy filter and we will see how it works on my next change.

Filter was sealed, but I can tell that it more thicker than CUK.

And for those who came to this point, here's how to contact Alexander for you orders.
Alexandr Kuskildin
https://www.drive2.ru/o/sashacz (RU)
http://stores.ebay.com/matveh (EN)

47,580 km | 3Y 3M

Toyo Proxes CF2 and Wheel Alignment

New tires and wheels alignment.
3 years passed. Even that overall visual condition was okay, i felt more and more drift sound on turns - a sign for dry tires for me.

Options were (per tyre):
Goodyear EfficientGrip - 340 NIS
Falken ZE914 - 371 NIS
Hankook K107 - 494 NIS
Michelin Primacy 3 - 400 NIS
Toyo Proxes CF2 - 387 NIS
Continental ContiPremiumContact 2 - 455 NIS (as original were)

I chose Toyo. I wanted Michelin, as my few friends bought it and was happy.

Source: https://www.drive2.ru/l/1096121/

Looked into reviews and Toyo were better so I decided to try it, so we later can compare.

Right after changing boots, I asked to do wheel alignment check.
Basically all is good with slight front alignment. Rear has no (official) way to fix camber, so left as is.

Everything was done at CheckUp, where I did it for Skoda Fabia few years back...
http://skoda-fabia-israel.blogspot.com/2013/03/hankook-ventus-v12-evo-at-checkup.html

46,548 km | 3Y 1M

45K Service

It's not exactly 45K service, because I did brake pads and fluid change while back (will post later) - saved a lot of money.
So, all that official Honda did it's oil change for 413 NIS ($111), oil not included.

Oil for this time I gave is Mobil 1 0W-30.

43,139 km | 2Y 10M

Insurance Calculators (Israel)

http://car.mof.gov.il/

https://www.wobi.co.il/mekif-step1

42,500 km | 2Y 9M

CTSHO005.2 Honda Steering Wheel Stalk Control Adaptor

This is another adapter example that you may need to connect aftermarket audio to wheel buttons and some more signals (dash light, reverse, parking brake, etc).

Link to http://www.ebay.com/itm/370765327954 - 39 GBP + 12 GBP (delivery).

This is a patch lead, PDF is here.

In default configuration it works as follows: it outputs resistance change depends on button pressed.
These are readings on KEY1 wire

Idle (nothing pressed)	11.5 MOhm 189 kOhm (after 1st time pressed)
Volume Down	22.00 kOhm
Volume Up	16.43 kOhm
Seek Backward	11.82 kOhm
Seek Forward	8.58 kOhm
Middle (circle button)	2.07 kOhm

I believe, you can change to voltage too just follow the instructions.

This is an adapter doc, PDF is here.

Wiring for Civic connectors.

Note that ACC signal is taken from 2nd connector both with CAN bus.

Let's open this sucker.

Main ICs are:
NXP TJA1040 - High speed CAN transceiver
Renesas Eelectronics R5F2123 - R8C Series 16 bit 3 kB RAM 64 kB Flash Microcontroller SMT
Fairchild FDS4953 - Dual 30V P-Channel PowerTrench MOSFET

Little man says hi!

Standby consumption.
When you first plug it, it will drain about 25-30mA for a few seconds and than falls into 3mA even when you send 12V to ACC.

The only addition I've made is adding original Honda's AUX 3 wires (on right) to it.

42,100 km | 2Y 9M

Insurance 2016

Recently I renewed my insurance policy:
- mandatory 1,358 NIS ($352)
- extended 3,137 NIS ($814)
 Total 4,495 NIS.

Policy from Phenix "Careful driver" (via insurance agent).

Update (2015-12-21)
Insurance policy offer from Honda (Hebrew only).
Overpriced and less attractive by terms if you compare with mine.

38,600 km | 2Y 6M

First ATF change

ATF is Automatic Transmission Fluid.

I decided to change ATF every 30kkm. This time I did it a bit later, but that's not critical.
I bought for this procedure following stuff:

1. 6 bottles of Honda's ATF. Each for 60 NIS ($16). Why 6? In our Civic partial replacement requires 2.4L. I did 2 changes.
2. IKEA small tub - 20 NIS ($6)
3. Special long funnel - 16 NIS ($5)
4. KASKO adapter 1/2"F xp 0 3/8"M - 20 NIS ($6).

The plug has 3/8" female square hole, that's why mine adapter or 3/8" wrench will do the job.

Here is fun part: until I got correct adapter, I lifted car front wheels on 2 stands 2 times with no luck opening a plug! On 3rd time it finally fit :-) Lifting means preparing all tools around, jacking up one side, then another... The only time-frame I had for this job was late nights when everyone went sleep.

At 1st try I broke cheap adapter. Who knew that it will require 60+ Nm torq?

2nd try I bought Signet 10mm square socket. I was wrong, 10mm is greater than 9.525mm (3/8").

Left to right: correct 3/8" Kasko, wrong Signet 10mm.

Let's continue...

The funnel.

Honda's AFT-DW1.

The procedure of partially "flushing" fluid is simple but you have to be very careful. Why it's partial, because about the half you have in torque converter and without special tools you can't drain it fully.
1. You drain all what drains via a plug.
2. You measure very precisely how much drained.
3. You top exactly same amount of new ATF via dipstick hole (with closed plug of course).
4. Turn on the engine and let it work for a while, select Drive, Reverse, Neutral few times and let it spin wheels (mine was on stands). Check ATF level.
5. Done.
6. (optional) repeat if you have extra ATF for same operation.

Old fluid still has pink color, may be less transparent than new one, without burned smell.
Magnetic plug had small buildup, I think that's normal friction residue.

Unscrew torq spec was 61.6 Nm.
I hadn't new washer, swapped sides. Will replace next time. Outer diameter is 26mm, inner 18mm.

How you should check ATF level?
When you finish reading, tell me how many technicians you know in official Honda garages that check level "after waiting for about 60 seconds" but less than 90 :-D

BONUS
I leave here the answer from Hiram Gutierrez (you should see him at work on YouTube channel) for my question

"There are talks, that it's cheaper to replace brake pads (and disks) than repair/rebuild transmission. That's true. But, if used properly, does down shifting gears in Honda's torque converter transmittions increases overall wear, friction material or anything else, how safe it is? I call "proper use" ­ do not downgrade if it will spin up revs too high. Example, if I drive in 3rd gear at 55 km/h and down shift to 2nd gear, engine will spin up from 2000 to about 3000 revs. When revs difference is not high (1000­1500) I usually not feel any "kicks" of the car and thus no hard load applied."

he answered

"Just service the unit at least once a year and you'll be okay. Use Honda genuine fluid or Lubegard transmission fluid. The way you're planning to drive the car is okay. Honda transmission fail because of the way it's designed and the filter can't be replaced as a regular service, so by keeping it clean with frequent fluid changes it will last a long time."

I'm not sure I will do that every year, but every 30kkm for sure.

Another bonus

36,800 km | 2Y 5M