Honda CR-V Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • fussycrvownerfussycrvowner Member Posts: 179
    It sounds like the entry system thinks that the door is not closed all the way. Maybe there is a misadjusted switch in the door jam somewhere? The driver's door has a safety which will prevent the door from locking if it thinks there is a chance there may be a key left in the car. To test, try to use the power lock button in the door with the door open. If it doesn't lock, try again while holding the inside door handle out about halfway. If it locks, then it probably is the door switch and not the power lock itself.
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    "General recommendation is to follow the OWNER's MANUAL, to the dot, including the oil change frequency."

    Last I heard the 2007 owner's manual doesn't list an oil change schedule, so it would be hard to follow, "dot" or otherwise...
  • blueiedgodblueiedgod Member Posts: 2,798
    Last I heard the 2007 owner's manual doesn't list an oil change schedule, so it would be hard to follow, "dot" or otherwise...

    the 2007 Manual says to change the oil when the oil life indicator says to do so, not sooner nor later for the break in oil.
  • dmathew347dmathew347 Member Posts: 80
    Actually the dealer said i should bring in the CRV at the 5,000 mile mark to get the first oil change done. Afterwards, i should get the oil changed when the oil indicator states (15%).

    Does anyone know from recent experience how long you can drive before the indicator gets to 15% in normal city driving?
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    "the 2007 Manual says to change the oil when the oil life indicator says to do so, not sooner nor later for the break in oil."

    Yes, but that is not a schedule for changes, such as was published for the Gen 2.
  • fnamowiczfnamowicz Member Posts: 196
    I'm assuming that you do not own a 2007 CRV or have not looked in the owners manual. Otherwise you would not be asking such questions
    All your questions are answered in the owners manual in the part that deals with the maintenance minder starting with page 255.
  • fussycrvownerfussycrvowner Member Posts: 179
    Maybe the question for the Gen 3 is if it does any harm to replace the oil sooner than the maintenance reminder after the break-in oil is changed at the correct time? I have a Gen 2 which gives the following schedule: for normal use it states to replace the oil and filter at 10,000 miles. For severe use replace the oil only at 5,000 miles and the oil and filter every 10,000. I tend to do it more often since the reminder light comes on at 10,000 miles. I apologize if I am comparing apples to oranges here.
  • blueiedgodblueiedgod Member Posts: 2,798
    Maybe the question for the Gen 3 is if it does any harm to replace the oil sooner than the maintenance reminder after the break-in oil is changed at the correct time? I have a Gen 2 which gives the following schedule: for normal use it states to replace the oil and filter at 10,000 miles. For severe use replace the oil only at 5,000 miles and the oil and filter every 10,000. I tend to do it more often since the reminder light comes on at 10,000 miles. I apologize if I am comparing apples to oranges here.

    It is the same engine, so, I don't see how it is comparing oranges to apples, it is more like comparing oranges to oranges and apples to apples. Under the skin, the two (Gen 2.5 and Gen 3) are identical.
  • esteezeesteeze Member Posts: 102
    Had the 50K service done today (mostly oil change and miscellaneous small inspections), and I was told that "carbon buildup" was found in the throttle body. The suggestion was to do a fuel system cleaning (for a nominal $130 charge, no less). I've already had the throttle body replacement for the sensor failure at 35K. :sick:

    I already use Chevron fuel... beyond that, are there good additives to use to help with this problem.

    Thanks,

    Jeff
  • fussycrvownerfussycrvowner Member Posts: 179
    Sounds like the real difference is in how the maintenance reminder works. On the gen 2 it comes on around 10,000 miles. Could be that the Gen 3 has some sort of program which monitors driving style and tries to project engine wear? Sort of like the fuel mileage calculator may show a ridiculously high number when going downhill. :P
  • blueiedgodblueiedgod Member Posts: 2,798
    Sounds like the real difference is in how the maintenance reminder works. On the gen 2 it comes on around 10,000 miles. Could be that the Gen 3 has some sort of program which monitors driving style and tries to project engine wear? Sort of like the fuel mileage calculator may show a ridiculously high number when going downhill.

    The service reminder on Gen 1 and 2 is tied to the odometer.

    Gen 1 maintenance reminder is purely mechanical. It is a disk with Green, Yellow and Red sections. At around 5,000 miles, the disk starts showing Yellow, and at 7,500 miles shows red.

    On Gen 2, the reminder just counts the miles electronically. Starts flashing on start up at around 8,000 miles, stays on around 10,000 miles.

    Gen 3, indeed, uses driving history data to calculate oil life.

    Both, Gen 1 asnd Gen 2 have the capability to calculate instantenous and average MPG. It is just missing the read out. The EU versions have been getting MPG readout for years. For the US version, you can tap into the OBDII connections for the read out. I use ScanGaugeII to get the missing readouts, like MPG, engine load, air intake temperature, ignition advance/retardation, fuel pressure...
  • blueiedgodblueiedgod Member Posts: 2,798
    Had the 50K service done today (mostly oil change and miscellaneous small inspections), and I was told that "carbon buildup" was found in the throttle body. The suggestion was to do a fuel system cleaning (for a nominal $130 charge, no less). I've already had the throttle body replacement for the sensor failure at 35K.

    I already use Chevron fuel... beyond that, are there good additives to use to help with this problem.

    Thanks,

    Jeff


    Pure dealer's bunk!

    Since all CR-V's are fuel injected, having fuel system cleaned has no impact on the throttle body, or plate. The fuel never sees the throttle.

    If you have carbon build up on the throttle body, check the PCV valve and use quality air filter (not K&N, not Purolator, Preferrably Honda air filter)
  • esteezeesteeze Member Posts: 102
    Pure dealer's bunk!

    Yeah, that's what I suspected (dealer trying to profit from superfluous work); although, I didn't know enough about how the fuel system is connected (or not connected) to understand that the throttle body wouldn't benefit from a fuel system cleaning.

    I've always used Honda filters; but, I'll check the PCV valve. Is your thinking is that maybe the fuel/air mix is not optimal (for some reason), and that the carbon/soot is a resulting by-product?
  • georgew1georgew1 Member Posts: 31
    Jeff,
    Don't waste your money. The dealer is just picking your pocket. IF there is carbon build-up in the throttle body you will notice it with poor performance. Sticking throttle, erratic starts, etc. Even more interesting is they already soaked you at 35k. Be aware that most dealers will find "something" unexpected to bill you for when they do a routine checkup. The "If it isn't broke, don't fix it" saying works most of the time. Common sense goes along way toward keeping your car running well. Most dealers are looking out for themselves, not you.
    Enjoy
    George
  • esteezeesteeze Member Posts: 102
    Don't waste your money. The dealer is just picking your pocket. IF there is carbon build-up in the throttle body you will notice it with poor performance. Sticking throttle, erratic starts, etc. Even more interesting is they already soaked you at 35k. Be aware that most dealers will find "something" unexpected to bill you for when they do a routine checkup. The "If it isn't broke, don't fix it" saying works most of the time. Common sense goes along way toward keeping your car running well. Most dealers are looking out for themselves, not you.

    All good points. I've actualy wondered how they would have even noticed the "carbon buildup" in the throttle body given the type of maintenance I was having them do; the 50K maintenance is just oil change, tire rotation, etc. No inspection of the fuel or air intake systems are called out.

    Yeah, I'll just hold off on anything until the check-engine light comes on, or I start having noticable performance issues.

    PS: Fortunately, the throttle body replacement at 35K fell just inside the original warranty (which ended at 36K), so I didn't have to fork out any $$$ for that.
  • fussycrvownerfussycrvowner Member Posts: 179
    Not to mention TPS and MAP readouts for those pesky throttle body issues. I have an Actron SuperScan tool. I guess I could tape it to my dashboard and see what I'm missing. I'll just put it next to my GPS and get the whole driving experience. ;)
  • blueiedgodblueiedgod Member Posts: 2,798
    Is your thinking is that maybe the fuel/air mix is not optimal (for some reason), and that the carbon/soot is a resulting by-product?

    The only way for carbon, or anything to get to the Throttle body is through the filter or the PCV valve. With proper filtration, the dust entering the throttle body will be kept to a minimum. With properly functioning PCV valve, the oil entering the throttle body will be minimal as well.

    You can check for broken air ducts between the filter and the throttle body, or shake the PCV Valve to see if it rattles. Other than those two, there is no way for dust, or cabon in your case to enter the throttle body.
  • paulinctpaulinct Member Posts: 5
    I have a 2002 CR-V EX with automatic transmission that I bought new. It has 86,000 miles on it. I change the oil and filter every 4,000 miles. The transmission fluid has never been changed. I changed the rear differential fluid last year and that cured the grinding sound when making tight turns problem. I have BF Goodrich Premier Touring P205/70R15 tires that I have had on for about 10,000 miles. This noise was first noticed less than a month ago.

    Here’s the issue. My CR-V has a noticeable vibration noise and feel between 48 and 54 MPH, with the worst vibration being around 51-52 MPH. It seems to be independent of engine RPM. It vibrates at exactly the same MPH speed with the transmission in neutral (~800 RPM), in drive (~2000 RPM), and with the overdrive off (~3200 RPM).

    Has anyone else heard of or experienced this problem.

    Thanks,
    Paul
  • robo_geekrobo_geek Member Posts: 20
    rear brakes dragging? My 02 CR-V totally cooked it's rear rotors due to the rear brake issue that Honda issued the TSB about. Those overheated rotors have a rough surface that can cause noise/vibration.

    The propellor shaft is supported by a rubber mounted bearing. Therefore, a bad prop shaft bearing could make some noise. Call me crazy, but I believe you could unbolt/remove the prop shaft to confirm the diagnosis.

    Did you use Honda dual-pump fluid in the diff?
  • fussycrvownerfussycrvowner Member Posts: 179
    Rear brakes dragging will make the wheel quite hot and may smell of burning rubber. Bad wheel bearings tend to rumble at lower speeds in the 40MPH range. Other thing to check is if the tires are out of balance. A rough way to isolate which one is if the vibration is felt in the steering wheel or in the seat. If it is in the steering, then it may be a front tire. If in the seat, then a rear one. Best to have all 4 balanced and rotated to start with a clean slate. Other thing may be a tire out of round? :confuse:
  • blueiedgodblueiedgod Member Posts: 2,798
    My CR-V has a noticeable vibration noise and feel between 48 and 54 MPH, with the worst vibration being around 51-52 MPH. It seems to be independent of engine RPM.

    Have wheels balanced and rotate them regularly. One of the weights probably fell off.

    Replace the tranny fluid with Honda ATF 3 times with 10-20 mile drives in between.
  • don1999crvdon1999crv Member Posts: 2
    I have a 1999 CR-V with 138,000 miles. Have same problem between 40 and 50 mph. Have balanced and rotated tires twice. Still have same problem. Was told by a Honda Tech. that it could be a bent halve axle. Replaced right front axle which seems to be were the vibration is coming from. Still did solve the problem. If you find an answer too this problem, please let me know and I will do the same.
  • robo_geekrobo_geek Member Posts: 20
    surprisingly, on my CR-V the rear brake dragging was never noticed. I'm not the primary driver, and the car is mostly driven around town.

    The main advice is to check rotor surface condition and runout, since rough or warped rotors are fairly common, and can cause some noise/vibration issues.

    Obviously, you want to rule out tire/wheel problems first... :)
  • fussycrvownerfussycrvowner Member Posts: 179
    It may sound crazy but a rim may be out of round even though the tire is in balance. If re-balancing several times does not resolve maybe look for another shop more knowledgeable with related components or knows how to look at tires for wear patterns. A red flag is if the shop puts a bunch of weights on the tire.
  • mpzichmpzich Member Posts: 4
    I have a 2002 CRV and had a similar problem. It turned out to be the brand of tire. I had replaced the original equipment front tires with Bridgestone Turanza tires. This gave the strange vibration/howling noise between 45 and 50 mph. I then rotated the Bridgestone Turanza tires to the rear and replaced the front tires with Yokohoma Avids. That solved the problem.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,584
    I had to give up on the Turanzas... My tire dealer tried six different tires in different combinations, and still had vibrations..

    I ended up with the same crappy OEM BFGoodrich tires, which were serviceable, if nothing else.

    Finally wore those out, and got Nokian WRs.. Which after 4K miles are pretty darn nice.. :)

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  • fussycrvownerfussycrvowner Member Posts: 179
    I am having VERY good luck with the Goodyear TripleTreads. Traction is amazing and handling good. Currently have 15K miles with no issues. They like to run a bit harder then the door sticker specifies though. ;)
  • mercy1mercy1 Member Posts: 2
    In the past 9 months I have had three cracked wheels on my 2004 CRV (purchased new, now has 61,000 miles). The first two were replaced by the dealer (no charge) and that is what he wants to do with my current cracked wheel -- give me a replacement wheel. I told him that I wanted 4 new wheels, not like the ones I now have (which I believe are alloy wheels - they came with the car) since I am now paranoid, but a better wheel. He is checking with Honda to see what they will do in the way of 4 new wheels. And he said that to buy new alloy wheels would be $1000 for 4. I am willing to pay something for the new wheels but not $1000 !!. Has anyone had this problem with their wheels? Or are there any suggestions as to what a reasonable resolution would be between Honda and myself?
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    you've got options. geesh, if you live in the NE where there can be severe pot-hole issues: i'm sure you could get steel rims. are you hitting curbs? how are you cracking these things?

    for example (you could do more searching)...
    you could go aftermarket:
    http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/results.jsp?autoMake=Honda&autoModel=CR-V&autoYea- r=2004&autoModClar=

    or you could go OEM:
    http://www.handa-accessories.com/crvext02.html
  • mercy1mercy1 Member Posts: 2
    User 777, No I haven't hit anything ever (at least big enough to cause this type of damage), curbs, things in the road, or even speed bumps. I am retired, live in Arizona and most of my road trips are on the Interstate, except for trips around town. The tire installer (since the three cracked wheels resulted in three flat tires), Costco, thought maybe there was a batch of defective rims and I was lucky enough to have at least three of them installed when my car was new. I am hoping for some offer from Honda since there had/has to be something wrong with the original wheels. I will check the after-market sites.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    a call to honda corporate may be in order. too freaky to believe, but maybe there was a bad batch. or, the wheels got super-stressed during vehicle transport somehow.
  • fussycrvownerfussycrvowner Member Posts: 179
    At least the dealer replaced two of the bad rims and is offering a replacement for the third. It seems unlikely that the replacement ones would be from the same batch. Considering three replacements, to get four as an end result sounds like $250 out of pocket? Just out of curiosity, where was the damage to the rim? If it where the tire seats against the wheel, it sounds like a problem with the tire installer. Hope things work out for you.
  • terryp1terryp1 Member Posts: 55
    I'll get to the straight skinny first. I spoke with some guys at what is arguably the best independent autoshop in Alexandria, Va. They're not cheap. They're thorough. They don't cut corners. So I only use them when I have to.

    On the first oil change for my new '07 CR-V, here's what they recommend. And it goes against what Honda says. I'll explain this after detailing the regimen:

    -- Change the oil and filter between 1,000 and 1,500 miles. Do not switch yet to synthetic oil. Drive 2000 more miles and then change the oil and filter again, this time switching to synthetic. After that, change the oil every 4,000 to 5,000 miles despite Honda's scheduled 10,000-mile intervals.

    Why the difference from Honda's scheduling? The guys I spoke with are interested in the engine being broken in fully and correctly -- and then lasting a long time. They don't like the idea of bits and flecks of metal running through the engine for 10,000 miles before that first change.

    Honda, on the other hand, has to make allowances for the great majority of customers. Many of them would come here and complain of being ripped off by the dealer if they were asked/told to come in for an oil change after just 1,000 miles (heck, even if the dealer does the first one free, they wouldn't like the hassle.)

    Am I following the advice of my local guys? I don't need to. I expect the engine to hold up just fine for the duration of my extended warranty that spans 6 years/100,000 miles. I likely won't be keeping it that long anyway.

    But I expect the engine would last a lot longer than that extended warranty period with the break-in and maintenance my local guys recommend.

    So, should anyone want to try it their way, I suggest just doing it yourself or somewhere other than a Honda dealer, and keeping only records that indicate you have adhered to Honda's schedule. Leave out your extra expense and effort.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Some of us cynical types would say that the guys you spoke with are interested in making money doing twice as many oil changes as the manufacturer recommends. :P
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,584
    +1

    Of all the problems I've ever had with any car... engine wear before 100K miles has never been one of them..

    I'm thinking that internal engine problems due to poor oil change habits is about 1% of all vehicles. For those that actually follow the manufacturer's recommendation? Probably less than 1/10th of that..

    (All statistics pulled out of you-know-where)

    If you are trying to get 150K-300K out of your engine? Maybe you could try that hard... but, not me.

    regards,
    kyfdx
    (not the host here)

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  • mcdermottmcdermott Member Posts: 29
    TerryP1:
    I'm inclined to view the issue this way. Honda has invested literally hundreds of millions of dollars in engine and vehicle research over the years. As a result, they build superior vehicles today. Conversely, the fellows in your independent autoshop have invested...$...? Honda WANTS us to keep their original oil in the engine for the first 10K miles. I accept that Honda has good reason to insist on that. After that first 10K, Honda doesn't really care how often you change your oil, so long as you don't exceed 10K between changes, but they do state that changing oil more frequently than they recommend is economically wasteful, does not improve engine performance or longevity, and harms our environment. Given Honda's superb record, I can think of no good reason to deviate from their recommendations.
    The autoshop fellows' job is to sell oil changes. Unfortunately, even at my local Honda dealership, the kid working in the service department will look customers straight in the eye and say: "We recommend changing the oil every 3,000 miles." Well, his job is to sell oil changes too. I expect the kid knows perfectly well that's wrong information, but he's following orders and trying to keep his job. Sad, but true.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    folklore says honda places special stuff in their engine oil purposefully for the break-in period. changing it too soon may actually decrease the benefits of the engine working with the properties of the oil from the factory.

    i don't think anyone realistically believes you should go 10K between changes with regular motor oil. synthetic? possibly. if i'm not mistaken, doesn't your schedule indicate changes every 7500 miles?
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,584
    CR-V (and Accord) recommendation is every 10K for normal service... It's been that way since at least 2002 on the CR-V.

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  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    This a to each his own. If you take a look at the oil after 5K miles, you will recognize how absolutely filthy it is compared to new oil. An oil and filter change is really cheap, can be 15 bucks if you do it yourself and 10 minutes of time..... to 30 for a dealer or shop to do it. So if one does an extra 1 or 2 oil changes a year.....it's no big deal. Doesn't seem like a reason to run any additional risk of oil related engine failure.

    I'm personally still at the 3K limit for all my vehicles.
  • lzclzc Member Posts: 483
    The 2007 CR-V doesn't recommend changing oil at a specific mileage. The closest they get to that is to say have it changed after 12 months, if the monitor hasn't indicated it's time for an oil change before then.

    As I understand it, their maintenance monitor is based on engine revolutions. It will tell a stop'n'go city driver to change the oil sooner than someone who is primarily a highway driver.

    It makes sense to me. At best, mileage is a rough approximation of wear on oil. Engine revs may not be perfect either, but it's probably better than mileage. At 4,500 miles on my CR-V, the indicator says 70% left on oil life expectancy.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I don't think you can't look at your oil (or smell it) and tell how filthy it is. Motor oil holds stuff in suspension and should "look" dirty almost immediately after you change your oil.

    If you really care about your oil, you shouldn't be guessing - pay the $20 for an oil analysis.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    They don't like the idea of bits and flecks of metal running through the engine for 10,000 miles before that first change.

    Isn't that why you have an oil filter? I agree with the others, there are special additives in the oil when you buy the vehicle new to help during the break in period. Changing this too soon is not a good thing.
  • epaluchepaluch Member Posts: 6
    Lot's of great takes, thanks for everyone's input. What do folks think about changing transmission fluid? What's a proper mileage?
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    and should "look" dirty almost immediately after you change your oil

    FWIW: i change my oil in my honda ody and accord at around 5K or so. i think i have some insight into why you conclude this, but it doesn't have to be true...

    when shops change your oil, i suspect there is a good deal of used motor oil probably still in the pan and on the moving parts when they put the drain plug back in. hey, they don't want to wait forever and keep a bay occupied with a vehicle for it to drain do they? i can't blame them.

    FWIW: i always let my pan drain till it's dripping (takes another 5 min they don't have but i do have when i'm doing other stuff around the house)... then i run a tiny bit more (1/4 to 1/2 a quart more) through and wait again.

    this isn't necessary of course, but i personally do look at oil color as a sign the engine might uncharacteristically be mixing too much exhaust gases with the oil between changes.

    factually, as you said - there's no way you or i are going to be able to measure and assess suspension unless we got a real (really bad) problem, right? so i'm with you on the oil analysis statement.

    now then, through the majority of the 5K interval, my engine oil in both cars looks so clean against the sticks, it can sometimes be a challenge to guage the oil level (but i'm used to it). near the end, it tends to be amber. but the point is, it's not amber a day after i drive away from the service station.

    i'm not using oil color as a means of judging when to change the oil, but rather as a "differencing" indicator that something may be out of the norm.

    honda makes great engines!
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    fwiw: i've had honda techs tell me every 30K on the automatics. i know i can feel an improvement in shift quality following the change. other people may tell you every 60K...

    if your CRV has a rear-differential / 4WD model, i think you *may* need to have that fluid changed maybe as often as every 15K... i'm not positive about that though.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    I've changed the tranny fluid every 2 yrs with my 99 CRV, don't recall what my owners manual says, but I believe I'm doing it sooner than needed. The reason I don't mind doing it like that is because it's so easy, much easier than the engine oil & filter.
  • fnamowiczfnamowicz Member Posts: 196
    Read the owners manual. The maintenance minder will tell you when.
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    "folklore says honda places special stuff in their engine oil purposefully for the break-in period. changing it too soon may actually decrease the benefits of the engine working with the properties of the oil from the factory"

    It is not Folklore; the Honda Owner site does say this for the CR-V. It also said that for the last generation (which I owned). It recommended keeping the "factory" oil in as long as possible (up to 10K, of course). I kept mine in for 7500 miles, then used the "severe" schedule of 5K changes.

    If you have not gone to the Honda owners site, you should; they will have recalls, plus other information (such as the "factory oil"), specifically for your VIN.
  • aeadsaeads Member Posts: 3
    What does everyone think of using synthetic oil. We have a 2002 CRV-EX all wheel drive, auto.

    Also, Does putting your transmission in park everytime you stop at a stop light, etc. help with gas mileage? Does it do any harm to the tranmission, etc? IOW, are they any harms or benefits in doing so?
  • jim12jim12 Member Posts: 7
    Mobil 1 is a good choice in synthetic oil. Gas milage won't be affected by putting the car in park at every stop light. It may only create more wear on the transmission seals.
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