man that sounds like just too long to keep those fluids in there, the tranny more so than the diff. We're talking less than two measely quarts for the tranny and less than one measely quart in the diff. Given the shearing factor of the tranny fluid it will be thin as water after 60,000 miles. Honda may say it's safe to follow that change interval but that doesn't mean it's the best schedule for longevity.

Honda used to recommend "proper" ( i.e. shorter) change intervals for all of their maintenance in the 90's. (Tranny fluid, valve clearance adjustments, sparkplugs etc..). In recent years they have fallen into that "lowest cost of ownership in the first 5 years" statistical crap that other manufacturers have been sucked into following. These kind of statistics sell cars, but they don't allow parts to last as long as they might otherwise last.

You should see the stock sparkplugs after 55,000 miles, mine were toast, keeping those in the engine for over 100,000 miles is sick.

The tranny and diff. fluid change costs less than $30 in parts to do both sumps by DIY, definitely worth doing on shorter change intervals.

 

I agree that the manual states is a bit too long, however its completely doable, gotta think about how many people actually keep their cars to for the entire product life span. plugs for 100k, good luck getting those seized suckers out, and the tranny for 60k will be like water vapor. Im not sure why Honda is doing this, and dont want to fully believe that its for low ownership costs. The new technologies like iridium and stuff may have something to do with it, however I refuse to give up on "prevantative maintenance"

 

oh I'm almost positive Honda lengthened their maintenance intervals to help lessen the maintenance costs of their cars. Hondas of the 80's and 90's were probably the most expensive vehicles to maintain on a yearly basis (I owned several of them), but they were also bulletproof and would run forever because of it. Honda then more than doubled their maintenance schedules overnight in past years. Honda technicians are basically changing oil these days.

The gaps on my plugs opened up over .050" at 55,000 miles as the center electrode wore down so much, and they squeaked like mad when I went to remove them. I wouldn't want to see them after 100,000+ miles, they are platinum plugs but they still wear out. Mine were probably past their prime after 40,000 miles if not earlier.