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Comments
Some cars tell you when to change the oil, but the sensor actually means that you should have already changed the oil.
As modredabyss said, he found his oil dirty after 5k miles. This doesn't mean your Honda engine won't last a long time, but it will last longer with more frequent changes. That dirty oil relates directly to engine wear and tear.
My Toyota Celica had it's first (I think... bought used) automatic tranny fluid change at 120k miles. The tranny oil was FILTHY. The transmission still worked fine after 120k miles, but I know the dirty oil was still causing unneccessary wear and tear.
Same with the Accord's engine. It'll last a long time even if the engine is abused, but with proper care, it'll last longer. I'll say it one more time so it sinks in: the purpose of changing the oil is to never have oil that needs changing!!!
Toyota used their recommendation of severe intervals as a crutch when the whole sludge thing came out so I can see why some people might be apprehensive of the 7,500-10,000 mile intervals. But there is no indication that any Honda engines require more frequent oil changes than the factory recommends.
Except just now when modredabyss reporting that he found contaminents after 5k miles.
I'm not sure what is recommended for the new Accords, but I suspect that it is 80,000 miles or more. Unless it's a sealed transmission, I'll probably stick with my 30,000 mile routine.
Oridinarily I would agree but in past cars I have had I might notice this if I were looking at the headlights at night. However, This is fairly obvious while driving the car. Dashboard lights seem to be unaffected.
Just because he thought the oil looked dirty to him, doesn't mean that it is damaging the engine or would have if he kept driving it to the recommended interval.
There had been test done several years ago by Consumer Reports showing that changing the oil at 3,000 miles did not increase the engine life compared to changing at whatever the normal interval was back then.
If you want to only have oil that looks like it is brand new, then that is your want. Having pretty looking oil is not the purpose of changing oil and is wasteful. If you drive under the normal conditions, there is no reason to change the oil more frequently than the manufacturer recommends.
What about oil black synthetic oil that you doesn't change appearance during a normal oil change interval?
You listed a few things you would not get in an Accord EX-L w/navi that you do get in the Passat. My Accord EX V6/navi has the following you listed as not on the Accord:
-Trip computer comes with navi (mpg, miles-to-empty, etc.)
-heated seats (2 levels)
-Outside temp
-Head airbags (along with side and curtain)
-traction control
-auto up/down for driver's windows (but not passenger)
Admittedly, some of these might not be on the EX-L 4cyl.
I agree that heated side mirrors should be there. All they have to do is route a heat vent into the door.
I was comparing a Passat 4 cyl 5 speed to an Accord 4 cyl 5 speed (EX).
EX-L, 5 speed:
Head Airbags - not available
Trip Computer - need $2k Navi option
Outside Temp - need $2k Navi option
Traction Control - not available
Heated side mirrors - not available (on any model)
And adding heated side mirrors isn't as easy as adding a "vent". It's an electronic element that sits behind both left and right side mirrors. It melts snow, drys rain, etc. on the mirror itself. I use it very frequently when it's snowing/raining out.
Again, I'm not slamming the Accord. I received the '03 Accord Sedan broucher in the mail on Saturday. I like the interior overall, but the dash board itself looks a little plain.
-Craig
-Craig
The instrument cluster looks plain. Nothing I'm going to see in person is going to change my opinion.
The pictures of the Passat instrument cluster in their brochure look cool (again, IMO). And in person, I felt the same way.
Ambient lighting is something that would be nice (and a welcomed addition to the Accord). The W8 has that, and I hear the parts to put that into our "lower" Passats is under $100.
Again, overall, the Accord interior is nice. My wife would love it over the Passat. She actually dislikes my Passat and likes the '96 Accord EX trade in better. But that's why she has her car ('01 RX300), and I have mine.
-Craig
Thank you for your time.
Story in a nutshell:
I have a friend whose Subaru broke down shortly after being repaired at the dealership. At the time of breakdown, he was told the car engine was destroyed because the timing belt had snapped/broken. Since the dealership had just worked on it, he is trying to get his money back, and money for a new engine. Now the dealership contends that there is not an issue with the timing belt, but that the engine threw a rod. Here is my question: Isn't it true that, for an INTERFERENCE ENGINE (such as the 2.5L flat four in my friends Outback...) a snapped/broken belt will INDEED CAUSE the engine to throw a rod?
Thanks again,
alpha
What happened to Edmunds "Ture-Cost-to-Own?" I have not been able to get it for a couple of weeks. Might it have moved to a new address?
This is something you could do while we wait to see if anyone here can help.
Thought the oil filter media at 3 to 4K had very little stuff in it-reason to change is the additive package dissipates.
Honda says should be able to go 10K between oil changes under normal conditions?
If so, please tell Honda about the findings you've gathered from reading the car magazines. If the oil filter is so full of grime at 2800 miles in theses specific Hondas with the 10,000 mile oil change intervals, then they need to know about it and change the interval.
Does anyone here have any experience using the voice commands?
Also has anyone used the cell phone accessory? Does it integrate well with the stereo system?
The first FAQ relates to when the severe driving maintenance schedule should be followed:
Follow the "severe" schedule only if you drive in one or more of these conditions most of the time:
* Trips of less than 5 miles (less than 10 in freezing weather).
* Extremely hot weather (over 90 degrees F).
* Extensive idling or stop-and-go driving.
* Trailer towing, driving with a car-top carrier, or driving in the mountains.
* Muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
The second FAQ concerns the first oil change on a new car:
Your Honda engine was delivered with an oil that is specially formulated for new engines that have not yet developed their "natural" wear patterns and may contain minute particles from the manufacturing process. American Honda strongly recommends this special oil be left in the engine long enough for these wear patterns to develop, usually until the first maintenance interval specified in your Owner's Manual, based on your specific driving conditions.
I'm not sure what the mileage for the Accord is.
-Craig
The rear view will still have to grow on me.
The outside temp replaces the miles when you hit the knob and stays that way till you hit it again.
The range of brightness is limited, everytime it rains and the lights are on in the daytime I have to turn the brightness up for it to be decently visible and that setting is too bright at night. a light sensor would be a major improvement.
Otherwise its quite attractive.
I an shocked at how well this thing can understand speech without being trained by the user. In omparison, my cell phone cannot even accurately pick a match for phone numbers when I train the thing with my own voice.
One thing I find annoying about the Accord voice recognition: it only works when the screen is on the map display. If you have the radio or A/C screen up, it ignores any commands whether they be for navigating, changing the radio station, or the A/C settings.
Is the phone accessory even available yet?
Instead, it's a smaller, slower, sportier car, not available with the Accord's heralded powerful V6. The 'premium' amenities available overseas are standard here, which supposedly justifies it's $7000 hike over the Accord (despite being less substantial in size) and it's Acura badge.
You decide for yourself. I like the car (hey, I'm all for sporty), but I think it's somewhat ridiculous for the car to be sold for that price as an Acura.
One thing I find annoying about the Accord voice recognition: it only works when the screen is on the map display. If you have the radio or A/C screen up, it ignores any commands whether they be for navigating, changing the radio station, or the A/C settings.
There has to be some reason they did it this way (probably safety related), but it eludes me.
On our '01 RX300 Navi system, we can't set any destinations while the vehicle is in motion. While I can see this as a safety issue, it should allow it to be set if someone is sitting in the passenger seat. The sensor is already there (to flash the "seat belt" light).
-Craig
The sport sedan market is limited and they don't plan to sell many of them. But it is a welcome addition to the Acura lineup. Size of the car really has no bearing on content and price. A well made anything will cost more.
By the way the 94-97 Accord was the same worldwide and we still bought em like hotcakes. Just as the A4, 3-series, C-class. It's just that you can get strippo versions in Europe with itty bitty engines and roll up and down windows. That's why there are no strippo TSX's, it cuts into brand prestige.
I was already aware the TSX was rebadged European/ Japan market Accord and that are some design differences despite the fact they most likely have a lot of parts sharing.
I wish Car and Driver would pit one against the other to see how they compare. If a nicely equipped Accord EX V6 sedan can outrun the TSX with only a marginal difference in handling, then why pay more for for a smaller car? Yes-- the TSX may be able to out corner the Accord at the limit--- but will the difference be noticeable under real world conditions? Would the extra 1-2 mph around a slalom or an extra 0.02 g's skidpad grip and a few electronic bells & whistles be worth an extra $3-4 k in a significantly smaller package? Besides, I have heard the V6 Accord has better fuel efficiency than the TSX. In the hands of your average driver, I bet the differences are not that big of a deal. Even with a professional driver behind the wheel of each, I'd bet the differences in performance will not be as widely spaced as the marketing hype will lead you to believe. The Accord may be bigger and heavier, but it certainly is no lard butt in terms of handling. It may be a "softer" ride, but it ain't a Buick.
I'd love to see how the $3-4K difference can be justified between such similar yet differently marketed products. When our yearly auto show in Raleigh, NC comes next week, the wife & I plan to heavily scrutinize the Accord and TSX as potential replacements for my elderly 98 Olds Intrigue (104K miles and going strong!).
Isn't it wonderful to have so many choices?!
I suspect it will have very little to do with measurable performance and everything to do with driver feel. Different strokes for different folks. The difference is- Honda charges much more for the TSX in America, but not in Europe. I'm bitter, cause I'd love Honda to offer us a [reasonably priced] sporty sedan.