Honda® Service Information & More
Milito’s has Serviced Honda® in Chicago since 1968.
Rely on Us for Any Type of Honda Repair and Maintenance Today!
How Honda Has Stood The Test Of Time
Powered by Dreams
The company believes in “The power of dreams,” and it’s not far-fetched to say that when it comes to manufacturing, they make dreams come true. It started in 1922 when a 15-year-old Soichiro Honda left school and began working as a mechanic for Tokyo Art Shokai, an automobile servicing company.
That fell through after the war, but it started him on a journey that would manufacture motorcycles, and then cars, and then everything from aircraft and ATVs to watercraft and solar cells.
Honda equipment is run on seven continents — even Antarctica — and they “strive to earn the trust and support of the many diverse communities we happily serve, and we’ll always remember who’s in the driver’s seat on the way to a better world for all.”
Top Honda Repair Problems
While the Honda is mostly a well-oiled machine with only minimal owner complaints, no vehicle is perfect, and there are a few issues that may need to be addressed.
- Vibration When Braking – Drivers have reported a rattling, shaking, or rubbing sensation when using brakes. This problem typically is caused by warped front brake rotors, which might need a replacement.
- Transmission Failure – Some models might experience transmission slippage, poor shifting, skipping, or failure, which may require a transmission overhaul or complete replacement.
- Failure of Power Door Locks – Electronic door locks might activate intermittently on their own, usually on vehicles with over 105,000 miles, with the remote door lock control also malfunctioning at times. Drivers might also have problems with the alarm going off due to a door lock malfunction.
- Compliance Bushing Cracking – Some owners have experienced hearing a squealing or feeling a shuddering when turning, which could mean that a part of the steering and suspension mechanism is broken. This usually happens on cars with 95,000 miles or more.
All of these problems and more can be fixed by the Honda service mechanics at Milito’s Auto Repair in Chicago.
What to Look for When Buying a Used Honda
If you’re looking for a used Honda vehicle yourself, click below for sales in the Chicago area.
Carmax | TRUECar | Autotrader
If you’re looking for a reliable car but don’t want to pay for a brand new model, a used Honda is the way to go.
Five things that you should do:
- Check the Records – Check the serial number with your local Honda dealer for a service history. If they don’t have a history, ask to see the receipts for repair work and scheduled maintenance, and make sure it had credible records from the owner.
- Professional Inspection – Even if you ran a vehicle history report, you should still have the car inspected by a mechanic to find potential issues and to determine if the car has been in an unreported accident. Make sure they pay attention to engine-related components, like fluids, hoses and belts, radiator, and the battery.
- Check the Tires – Tires can tell you a lot regarding the maintenance and driving history of the car. If tires are worn unevenly across the width of the tread, this could indicated aggressive driving by the previous owner of the vehicle. Also look at the surface of the tire for feathering (bad alignment). Bad alignment can be caused by worn steering/suspension components, the Chicago potholes, or frame damage.
- Certified Pre-Owned – The certification provides a long-term warranty which is only offered after a rigorous 182-point test fully resolving any visual or technical flaws. It’s also factory-backed with a 7-years/100,000-mile powertrain coverage and 24-hour roadside assistance.
- Test Drive – You want to make sure you’re comfortable in the car. While driving,listen for any unusual sounds. Does the engine produce too much noise? How does the car handle? Pay attention to how well it responds to your inputs. Make sure the engine acceleration is strong and the gear shifts are smooth.
Technological Innovations from Honda
This features GPS and sensor-based autonomy capable of guiding the unit in almost any environment, a rail accessory mount system for limitless accessories and attachments, and onboard power plug-ins.
Honda leverages robotics technology to create a self-balancing motorcycle that greatly reduces the possibility of failing over while the motorcycle is at rest.
Labeled a “mobility device,” a unique design allows a rider (or dancer) to move forward, back, and side-to-side by simply leaning in the direction they want to go.
Top Honda Dealers in the Chicago Area
The History of Honda
Key Events in Honda’s History
In October 1946, in Hamamatsu, Japan, Soichiro Honda took over a factory wartime bombings had left in ruins and established the Honda Technical Research Institute. First he tried mass-producing frosted glass windows, and then woven bamboo roof panels. Then Soichiro came across a surplus of two-stroke motors and had an idea — he was going to build motorbikes. The bikes took off and soon sold out, which lead Soichiro to begin manufacturing his own engines. And so, the history of Honda began.
1949: Co-founders Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa establish Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and introduces its first original designed and engineered product named the “Dream” D-type motorcycle that can go up to 50 mph.
1959: On June 11, the first Honda Motor Co., Ltd. overseas subsidiary storefront opened with six employees in Los Angeles. They started selling three small motorcycles and The Cub, the first Honda product sold in the US.
1968: Honda sells their 1 millionth motorcycle in the US.
1969: The first Honda automobile is sold in America — the Honda N600. In addition, they introduced the 4-cylinder Honda CB750, which “changed everything” and was named “Motorcycle of the Century” in 2012.
1973: Honda introduces the fuel-efficient 4-stroke outboard marine engines, which are quieter, clearer and fuel-efficient and also debut its fuel-efficient Civic Hatchback.
1974: Honda engineers create a groundbreaking CVCC engine that makes the Honda Civic the first vehicle to meet the strict emissions standards of the new U.S. Clean Air Act without the use of a catalytic converter.
1976: The company introduces the Honda Accord, which became the best-selling passenger car in America, with American car buyers purchasing over 12.5 million.
1984: This year Honda introduces the CRX-HF, the first EPA fuel economy rating of 50 miles per gallon. They also found The American Honda Foundation, which has awarded over $32 million to organizations in every state in the U.S.
1986: Their first luxury vehicle is introduced — the Acura — which would go on to earn four consecutive JD Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) awards.
1990: Honda debuts the Acura NSX, the first production car with an all-aluminum monocoque body.
1999: It launched the Honda Insight, America’s first gas-electric hybrid car.
2001: Their environmental efforts continue, with the manufacturing of the Odyssey minivan at the plant in Alabama, the first car manufacturing zero waste-to-landfill plant. The also manufacture a complete line meeting or exceeding the California LEV emissions standards.
2002: The Honda FCX is certified as the world’s first fuel cell automobile but the US EPA.
2008: Honda breaks new ground introducing the 2009 FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle.
2014: The 10-millionth Honda Accord built in North America is manufactured at the Marysville Auto Plant, and Honda celebrates a total U.S. production of 20 million Honda and Acura automobiles.
2015: Not content with just making cars and motorcycles, the HondaJet is cleared for takeoff and achieves type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration.
2016: Honda Civic named North American Car of the Year, the second time they’ve won that honor.
2018: The 2018 Honda Accord earned the 2018 North American Car of the Year award.
Fast Facts
Honda is a major exporter of soybeans.
Honda manufactures more than cars and motorcycles – including watercraft, ATVs, aircraft, mountain bikes, lawn equipment, and solar cells.
As the largest engine manufacturer in the world, Honda makes over 14 million engines a year.
One Honda Accord owner, Joe Cicero of Maine, reached one million miles in 2011 on the original engine and transmission.
If you’re looking to race, Honda-built engines have won more Indy 500 races than any other manufacturer.
