Older Honda Accords

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Comments

  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    My 2002 Accord EXV6's headlights go out 10 seconds after shutting down the engine. It's standard. What are you people talking about. It doesn't have the 'adjustable' delay on my Caillac, but if you don't want to turn your lights on and off, the Accord will do it for you.
  • bklynguybklynguy Member Posts: 275
    On the current Accord you have to turn the lights on yourself. On cars which have the automatic on/off headlight feature (like the Camry & Altima), the lights go on automatically when the sensor detects a lower than optimal light level. Some people think it's one more unnecessary feature which adds to the cost of the vehicle, but why have Toyota and Nissan added it to their respective vehicles ?
  • lexielexie Member Posts: 45
    I have a 05 Accord VP. It has everything that I need but if I could change one thing, I would add power locks but I am not sure if it it can be done and not have my warranty voided. The silver moldings around the windows also look very nice. I have the black rubber molding and if it does not cost too much to change it, I would consider changing it out. I checked the H and A Accessories website and did not see it there. Is it possible to change it? Worth it?
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    lexie:

    As you are no doubt aware, the Value Package (VP) model is an Accord DX with an Air Conditioner. There is about a $2,500 difference between that model and the Accord LX that adds (among other features) Power Mirrors, Power Windows, Cruise Control, Variable Speed Wipers, Map Lights as well as Remote Entry System with Power Door Locks.

    I believe that due to the complexity of dismantling the doors to install the appropiate components, you will not find any Honda dealer willing to tackle the job of adding power door locks. Even if you can find some kind of local body repair shop or customization shop willing to attempt such a job, the cost of doing so (plus the cost of the components) would easily exceed the cost of a brand new LX. Then you have to consider what problems could be caused by the work.

    My recommendation: Don't consider it any further.
  • sports96sports96 Member Posts: 4
    I recently purchased the 2005 Accord EX 4 Cylinder and love the car. I was just wandering if anyone has had any problems with the car yet. I seem to have a little rattle in the driver side door that I cant find. That is the only thing that I have found so far. I have the Sunroof and was wandering if you would recommend the Sunroof guard or is that just a waste of money. Someone told me that it would keep rocks from hitting the Sunroof.

    Thanks for the help.
  • mrbill1957mrbill1957 Member Posts: 823
    I have the 04 EX-L 4 cyl and I also love the car. My only complaint would be the ride. It seems to be too choppy of a ride on poor roads. I realize it's a tradeoff with better handling. What ever happened to adjustable shocks?

    I thought the Honda Sunroof guards were big and ugly. As far as protecting from stones, what about your headlights, hood, windshield etc. They are bigger targets then the sunroof. I personally have never heard of a sunroof being broken from a road rock. Being parallel to the ground, stones would have a better chance of sliding across, then getting a direct hit. I would opt for a smaller wind/rain deflector if an after market one is available.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    The ride will improve as the tires break-in. Also, check the tire pressure--the COLD pressure should be 32 psi in front and 30 psi in the rear (check what the proper tire pressure is before using those numbers).

    The Accord is a firm-riding car compared with a Camry, but many owners consider that an advantage :D ........Richard
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    No problems with my '04 Accord EX-L--great car!

    There is a plastic sunroof wind deflector thing that covers about half the opening and is supposed to suppress wind noise. I don't know if it works or not, but it doesn't look very good IMO.

    Even if it works, it covers so much of the sunroof's area that it cancels the value of having a sunroof at all.

    If the sound you hear in the door could be a nominal squeak and not a hard rattle, try spraying WD-40 on the 2 weather strips around the door and the door opening.........Richard
  • bobstbobst Member Posts: 1,776
    I beg your pardon!!

    For those of us young and energetic enough to drive a MANUAL TRANSMISSION, we love having the handbrake in the center console.

    If we have to start on a steep hill, we use the handbrake to hold the car steady while we ease up on the clutch and press on the throttle.

    I made sure to teach this skill to both of my kids when they were learning how to drive, and I will probably teach it to my grandkids in a few years.
  • mrbill1957mrbill1957 Member Posts: 823
    Bob, you read my mind!!! Was working thru my mind on how you would use another foot pedal when clutching on a hill!! If the emergency brake pedal had an auto release, it would be useless!!!
  • mrbill1957mrbill1957 Member Posts: 823
    Actually I've been running the tires 1 psi lower then they recommend.

    I'm coming from an 88 Accord with 185 70R 13 tires that have 26 psi in them (per manufacturers's spec) Obviously, the 205 60 R 16 tires on my 04 Accord will give a stiffer ride just with the size difference.

    By the way, my Accord came with Michelin Energy MXV4 tires. Anyone else get something different from the factory? I do have a while before I need tires, but I would be interested if anyone else has found a smoother ride with a different tire. I also wonder how well these tires will do in the snow.

    Thanks

    MrBill
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Deft and quick footwork was the rule when I was given instruction.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    bobst, I'm surprised at you! That isn't a "skill". That's a wimpy way to start a stick on a hill!

    I grew up in a town with STEEP hills and there were lots of them. None of us would have EVER grabbed the parking brake.

    We didn't slip our clutches or roll backwards either.

    THAT is a skill and that's how I taught my son!

    Not the bobst I thought I knew!
  • lastwraithlastwraith Member Posts: 350
    Yes, but it costs near $200 just for that equipment for a '92 Accord (one of the easiest years to swap out electronics for). $200 for what basically amounts to an interface cable is absurd. For that I can buy a whole new headunit.
  • lastwraithlastwraith Member Posts: 350
    Majestic Honda and some others online have mp3 compatible cd players available as optional....so they were available at least as options at some dealers. Also, even just stopping to look at the 2005 Accord shows that an mp3/wma compatible cd player is available. Not to mention the fact that a few DVD Nav systems also have the ability to play mp3 encoded discs already.

    As for some factory cd players being able to play CDRWs, Honda is not alone...many other ones can also play CDRWs. It's actually becoming rather common now, I don't see why you are so surprised. Also, for whatever reason the manual almost never says even if the players are CDRW capable, probably because much of it depends on the type of RW disc or the fact that everyone is taking heat at this point for anything having to do with burned music.
  • bobstbobst Member Posts: 1,776
    I don't use handbrake starts too often, but it sure is nice to know it is a technique I can rely on if I am stopped on a steep hill and someone pulls up close behind me.

    Instead of using the handbrake and being gentle, I guess it would be kind of fun to rev it up to the redline and dump the clutch, but I only use that technique if I am test driving a brand new car. ;);)

    Not really. I could never be mean to an automobile, one of God's finest creations. Fords don't count as automobiles, do they?
  • emetz700emetz700 Member Posts: 5
    The Michelin Energy MXV4 tires are near the top of the list for this class of tires. I live in Milwaukee, and when it does snow I had no problem compared to past front wheel drive cars I've owned.

    As far as the ride goes, PSI is the first thing to check. Car tires DO NOT break in, but over many years can degrade. Shocks are what "wear in" progressively over their life, and over time you wont notice them getting soft until you drive a newer car than yours.

    Still not satisfied with the ride? You'll need a new car, because the Michelin Energy MXV4 tires are classified as "grand touring" which are generally very quiet, long lasting, and easy riding tires.

    Personally, I consider the ride to be a perfect balence...slightly tight with a nice highway ride.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    Not convinced that tires don't break-in:

    "As far as the ride goes, PSI is the first thing to check. Car tires DO NOT break in, but over many years can degrade."

    See website below:

    http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=5

    I think a brand new Accord will ride better after a few hundred miles. Mine did............Richard
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    No, Fords :lemon: don't count........Richard
  • ruby2zdyruby2zdy Member Posts: 2
    I've had Honda Accord LX's since 1990. They're wonderful. However, my 2003 has some flaws I would fix if I were designing it (are you listening, Mr. Honda?).

    1. When you get it the car, as soon as you lock all the doors, the ilght around the keyhole goes off. If you were being chased at night, you would need to have that light there to help you get away fast.

    2. Apparently the automatic seat height adjustment was removed from the '05 (I have it in the '03 but it shows up as extra on the '05). WHY????? I have a bad back in several places and need that on long trips.

    3. The metallic green should be available with grey seatcovers. For that matter, all colors should be available with grey seat covers. Beige gets dirty. Why not let people choose which color they want - you could charge an extra $1000 for the special order. How difficult is that?

    OK, that's all I would change. Is that asking too much, Mr. Honda? Please? I want to buy an '05 but will be forced to buy the EX to get the autmatic seat height adjustment. I don't want the moon roof, I don't care about alloy wheels, I just need what was already on the '03.

    ruby2zdy
    Olympia WA
  • mrbill1957mrbill1957 Member Posts: 823
    I'm puzzled what you mean by Automatic Seat Height Adjustment?

    My 04 EX-L has electric seat height adjustment, but nothing is automatic about it, you still have to push a button. Are you talking about menory seat adjustment? Now that's something I would like to see.
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    mrbill1957:

    If you read ruby2zdyl's entire post a bit more closely you will find your answer.
  • bobstbobst Member Posts: 1,776
    I agree, Ruby.

    We have an EX 4-cyl with cloth interior, so we have the button to make the seat go up an down. Since my wife is shorter than I am, this feature is wonderful. The LX model should at least have a manual seat height adjustment.

    I agree, the grey cloth would be nicer than the black cloth we have now. However, we didn't like the colors that came with the grey interior.
  • kingrkingr Member Posts: 62
    The 05 Accord LX has a manual seat height adjustment. A hand lever on the bottom left of the seat, every time you crank it up the seat raises a little.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    1. When you get it the car, as soon as you lock all the doors, the ilght around the keyhole goes off. If you were being chased at night, you would need to have that light there to help you get away fast.

    What kind of neighborhoods are you hanging out in that you are concerned about getting chased? Also, if I were getting chased I'm not cranking my head down looking for the ignition - it would come pretty naturally!!!
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    That was my first thought too.
  • jimthsjimths Member Posts: 14
    Here is an option which I finally implemented on my 2005 Accord LX-4 - I was pretty desperate at first when it turned out that factory stereo is completely incompatible with anything on the aftermarket - I was yearning to add an mp3-capable CD-changer from Alpine (CHM-634) but no such luck.

    Here goes the only option available to us poor sods with "bad luck" to buy a new Accord and with burning desire to add a an mp3 option without paying thru the nose for a single-CD mp3 player (of course if you are willing to completely replace your head-unit that will work too but I really didn't want to do that and I am guessing a lot of you guys are of the same opinion):

    Step 1. Buy SNHOND3 interface from Soundgate (for instance, from www.logjamelectronics.com) and make sure you buy correct version - depends on whether you have navigation or not (I don't). Another interface you can use is HON/SNY ITI v.1 or v.2 from BlitzSafe (but it is the same interface just with a different brandname sticker on it). Cost: $95-100

    Step 2. Buy Sony 6-cd mp3-capable changer - the only one available now is CDX-T70MX which was discontinued by Sony in the US in 2003 but you can still buy it on eBay (new, unopened items! - I was loathe to buy a refurbished item, some company in CA sells them a bit cheaper). Cost: $150-180

    Step 3. Go to a local Tweeter or CircuitCity or some other installation place or do it yourself. Cost: from $0 to $60.

    Short testimonial: so far it works fine on my Accord - with a couple of small obvious quirks such as displaying only two last digits of a 3-digit track or blank when it hits track # 100 or 200 etc. Also buttons 1-4 don't do anything, 5 and 6 work as Disc+, Disc-. But this is inevitable - there is only room for two digits under track number and it is not clear what buttons 1-4 should do (I have some ideas but they obviously would not be implemented for wide use).
  • rfrfrfrf Member Posts: 31
    I have heard people say the same thing about seatbelts, and the answer is the same...

    You have to survive the creash first! Seatbelts must be engaged and doors must be locked to prevent secondary impact and being thrown from the vehicle.
  • uncommonmanuncommonman Member Posts: 65
    Update:

    1. I wrote a letter to Mr. Koichi Kondo, CEO of Honda, complaining about the terrible seats (yeah, yeah, I know - our opinion) in this car, and also about just being waved off by customer service, and his office just forwarded my comments to customer service anyway. Talk about the fox guarding the hen house! Apparently the CEO does not want to hear from Honda customers. Anyway, "Herbert" called me, and to make a long story short it seemed he was reading from a script or something. The seats are not "defective" and there's no recall on them, so buzz off buddy. He said ALL Accord seats were built at the same plant, so they are all the same. I told Herbert maybe there was a design defect with the seats. Bottom line, we're stuck with this boat anchor. It's been sitting in the street for 13 days straight now while my wife drives her beautiful, COMFORTABLE, GMC Yukon. I told her to dump that trash bucket Honda.

    2. Yesterday I ran into a guy I worked with over a decade ago, and he asked me about my old Corvette and we got talking about cars. Unprompted, he told me he was relieved to get rid of his Honda after 3 years and he got a new Toyota two months ago which he loved. I asked why and he said he couldn't stand those terrible seats in the Honda.

    It ain't just a few of us folks. Those seats are HARD and uncomfortable for more people than you know. My wife is parking the Accord at the airport this week, and I hope somebody steals it! ;-). I hate that car.
  • bobstbobst Member Posts: 1,776
    My advice is to read the Bible, specifically Jesus's beautiful Sermon on the Mount.

    He says, "If thy eye offend thee, pluck it out." That is really, really great advice.

    You told your wife "to dump that trash bucket Honda." EXACTLY!!! Get rid of the thing.

    Remember, WWJD : What Would Jesus Do?

    I think Jesus gave some great advice, and I am not even a Christian.
  • mastromastro Member Posts: 39
    I agree. If I hated my car that much I would definitely replace it. Sell it yourself for less of a loss than with a trade in. I gaurantee you'll find a seller at a reasonable price. I would rather take a financial loss than live day to day with that kind of anger and frustration. :mad:

    It's funny though, I've got an '05 EX V6 and love the seats. I like them better than my Volvo S60 and Suburban. I liked my Corvette's racing seats a little better...only a little better.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    Dump it! You hate the car and will never be happy, so sell it while it's worth something and buy another car AFTER you spend enough time in the seats of any replacement car to be sure that it's comfortable for you.

    You're in the decided minority here--many of us bought our Accords because the seats were so GOOD among other reasons why we chose the car. Good luck..........Richard
  • bimmer4mebimmer4me Member Posts: 266
    I thinks it's time you turn the page and put a period on it and move on.
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    Please stop Trolling. This is the second go-round and it has gotten very boring.
  • lastwraithlastwraith Member Posts: 350
    "It ain't just a few of us folks. Those seats are HARD and uncomfortable for more people than you know. My wife is parking the Accord at the airport this week, and I hope somebody steals it! . I hate that car."

    So you would rather have someone steal the car, have your wife stranded at work, and have to deal with your insurance company than go and have the seats replaced for her with comfortable aftermarket models? Your wife is a lucky woman.

    To add insult to injury, you come into an accord board and expect sympathy with that after we have given you multiple solutions to your problem. Bravo.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    We've done all we can to help uncommonman's seat problems. It is time we wished him well and that we move one.

    There is nothing to be gained by continuing to discuss it here.

    Uncommonman, we do hope this has a happy ending for you and your wife. Best of luck to you.
  • tom98037tom98037 Member Posts: 2
    ABOUT to buy a 2005 Accord sedan. At 6'4" I feel a bit claustrophobic in the EX, whose front seat headroom is 2 inches less than the LX. The moon roof would be nice, if I didn't brush my head against it. That's with the seat all the way down. So the LX looks like the answer -- just need to decide between the V6 and the I4.

    But why are V6 LX's so hard to come by? Far as I can tell, they're a good deal and they have some nice extras over the I4: 240HP (vs. 160), 6-CD changer, 16" tires (vs. 15"), power-adjustable (8-way) driver's seat, steering wheel radio controls, traction control, electronic brake distribution, drive-by-wire throttle, and security system. The down side, which I'm willing to tolerate, is the considerable extra $$$ and lower MPG. I test drove both and the V6 was noticeably quieter and had way more muscle. Not sure if the seat (a hot topic of late) was different between the two. Anyone out there have a current-gen V6 LX? How do you like it?
  • joniemilyjoniemily Member Posts: 3
    fju2112 - I didn't see your reply to my car noise until now. First, thank you for your advice. Second, you say I should have any additional road noise I am using the same tires, but they needed to replace one of my wheels. I hear a lot of road noise (unless it's the wind I'm hearing)., At some point, it's hard to tell. I just know it's not a quiet ride. I went with the insurance adjuster to a Honda dealer where they test drove the car. The service people said that Honda's are not a quiet ride. At that point the adjuster said "case closed", there was nothing else to be done.
  • joniemilyjoniemily Member Posts: 3
    fju2112:

    Having trouble finding the TSB you're talking about. Can you tell me exactly where to look. Thanks.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    You could also try this page Maintenance Schedules, Recalls, and Technical Service Bulletins as well as asking a couple of very helpful mechanic members in our Technical Service Bulletins discussion,
  • kippikippi Member Posts: 16
    I bought a 2005 4cyl LX AT sedan a couple of weeks ago--it has about 650 miles on it at this point. So far, so good. Any maintenance tips for keeping the car in top shape--e.g., are their any sort of interior or exterior treatments anyone recommends? Also, I'm a little concerned about groceries and such loosly placed in the trunk. Anybody have problems with things falling over, etc? Any solutions? Is the Honda cargo net worth installing?

    Oh, and about the auto headlight discussion here--is there any problem if one sets the headlights to "on" and leaves them there? They seem to turn themselves off after a few seconds; this doesn't drain the battery, does it?
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    Congrats on your new Accord--it's the best car in its class (of course, we Accord owners are biased).

    Your car has the cloth interior and there's not much to do but vacuum it as needed and don't spill anything on it. Don't let anyone smoke in your car, either--ashes burn through the velour fuzzy stuff.

    If you drive your car often enough it's unlikely that leaving your lights on until they automatically shut off will drain the battery enough to strand you. Still, I think it's best to turn the lights off before you leave your car. Just my opinion.

    There is a cargo net you can buy to hold grocery bags upright in the trunk--I think it requires drilling holes, etc. But there are also cargo carriers that are folding box-like things that you can use to keep things confined within the trunk of your car. I think they have velcro strips on the bottom to hold them in place so don't required any special installation. See site below for an example:

    http://stacksandstacks.com/html/73057_trunk-organizer-folding-cargo-bag.htm

    Hope this helps.............Richard
  • dmbst68dmbst68 Member Posts: 50
    Does anyone know Honda's model code for the 2005 Accord Sedan EX-L automatic with Navigation?

    thanks
  • kippikippi Member Posts: 16
    Thanks, Richard. Those "trunk organizers"look like a much simpler solution to the grocery bag problem than the relatively expensive cargo net.
  • louise56louise56 Member Posts: 21
    Does anyone know Honda's model code for the 2005 Accord Sedan EX-L automatic with Navigation?

    dmbst68

    The model number is CM5675JNW

    Louise
  • louise56louise56 Member Posts: 21
    We just bought an EX-L, automatic. We live in the San Diego area and our last car was stolen, so we are very interested in security! LoJack doesn't help because it takes 30 minutes to get a car over the border and if you're at the movies or mall your car will be in Mexico before you can call the LoJack people. (Our last car was found in Mexico, stripped). Do you think the EX-L has sufficient security or should we buy something else? Are wheel locks a good idea or a hassle if you need to change the tire? Any other accessories favorites of this board, like splash guards, door edge guards? Thanks!

    Louise
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    Louise:

    The security that you are seeking is probably going to be elusive. Honda is no better or worse than most other brands in that regard. If someone is determined to expropriate your car, and they are in the business of doing so, they will be off with it in a minute or two.

    The only thing you can do is to make their job harder, so that they will abandon your car if the job takes too long. Although it is probably not a commercial product, the best solution that I've read of is to install a simple manual fuel cutoff valve (petcock-style) in a location that you can reach from the driver's seat. It should one that you can turn off when you park and turn on before you turn your key in the ignition switch. It should be mounted near the floor and disguised so that its purpose will not be obvious.

    The fuel line should be cut between the front and rear of the car, and the appropriate tubes would be routed up into the passenger compartment to the valve, and back down to continue forward to the engine compartment.

    With that arrangement, the thief would be able to start and drive the car only a couple of blocks before they ran out of fuel. They would not figure out what happened or how to re-start the engine and would abandon the vehicle, looking for easier pickings.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    Blane:
    Good suggestion. I thought it was very difficult to defeat the computerized key and engine cut-off security system built into new Accords. Have many been stolen because the built-in security is inadequate?............Richard
  • bimmer4mebimmer4me Member Posts: 266
    IMO the security system in your Accord is sufficient. You can spend more money on alternative security...however, many cars are stolen via tow truck.
  • louise56louise56 Member Posts: 21
    Thanks Blane, Richard and bimmer4me for the security advice. My Accord does have a security sticker on it and a flashing red light by the audio, so hopefully that will be a deterent as well.

    Louise
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