Honda CR-V Maintenance and Repair

icvci

Why? Honda specifically states to use 5w-20. There is a Mobil1 0w-20 that I (and many here) have used. Why take a chance?

tomk17

icvci,
Main reason is that the Mobile 1 5-30 came in the cheaper convenient 5 Qt jug. Since the 5w is the low temp requirement which I'm meeting, and the 30W is the high temp rating (it protects a little better than the 20W), I'm not real concerned and neither should Honda They both meet the API ratings that Honda cites. I don't think there is much of a diff and I've seen several posts about it being fine to use the 5-30.

kizhe

tomk17: There were lots of discussions on usage of 5W-20 oil in 2002.
Check panel Honda CR-V at around ##5100'ths
(for example, a good post # 5103 by inky).
Inkie: Thank you for filter info.

sabrina9

I want the same thing you want - RELIABLE, ACCURATE reports to the NHTSA. You are right there are now five fire reoports pertaining to the oil on NHTSA. All except Jpalikas and UVA1972 and the unknown one. And the NHTSA site is horrendous to search, but someone must look at these when they come through

UVA1972 dealer must have been prettty good to volunteer to cover repairs after two months, cosidering some of the others happened on the way home from the dealer and the dealer took a pass. But that must be because the damage was fixable and a lot less than paying for a new vehicle.

luv2motor

I called my Honda dealer to set up an appointment to check the above recall issue. He told me that I didn't have to bring the car in. All I had to do was start the car, put the car in neutral and then try to remove the ignition key. If it came out, a problem. If it stays put, no problem. Is this all there is to it? It's a 2002 EX model.
Thanks

auburn63

Basicly but you have to do it over and over again about 6 times and quickly. If it never comes out you are good to go with no other repair needed. However, if you dont have a dealer do it there will be no record of you having completed the recall and if something happened I dont know where that would leave you legally and safety wise...Just my thought on it..

stevedebi

Recalls are by VIN. If your CR-V VIN is in that lot of numbers, they should perform the recall. Just because it isn't having the problem now doesn't mean it won't happen later.

Have the dealer show you the VINs affected by the recall, and insure yours isn't affected. If your CR-V is inside the lot of affected VINs, insist on having the recall repairs done and documented.

inkie

Thank you for acknowledging my message, I changed the oil on the 02 Crv today without any problems. Here is some info that you may be interested in so you don't have to wait overnight. Instead of all the wrap I used previously all I did was cover the CV boot and took a plastic pail cut a piece out of it and laid it on the brace below the filter. I unscrewed the filter to let the oil drip slowly the plastic strip being round funneled all the oil into the pan it was the easiest oil filter change yet. Also, I really studied that area and for the life of me can't fiqure where the oil went to catch fire unless its the converter which is quite a ways back. There is a wrapped cable nearby and some connectors but they are level with the filter. This is on an 02 maybe they changed configuration on the 03's.

inkie

Thank you for the heads up on the ignition switch recall. I will try the key removal as suggested. If its okay I don't have to rush to bring it in but I will, so it will be ducumented. Thanks again, Auburn.

sabrina9

According to UVA 1972, the damage was to
"transmission wiring harness, sensors, etc." I would think if the fire started on the catalytic converter,that would have needed to be replaced and it would hve been obvious. UVA also mentioned sparks coming out. I don' thinkk the cat con would make sparks - smoke maybe.
Is it possible that the oil splashed on these cables and some electrical short sparked the fire?
The inspector did not mention the cat convertor being burned on mine, either. The fire started higher. Is the cat converter under the seating area? If it was it definitely did not go on fire in mine. It would have likely surrounded the car with fire, which it did not. So those wires near the filter - could those have provided the spark for thefire?

kyfdx

I don't believe the dealer is correct. My '02 is subject to the recall, and I can't get my key to come out in neutral. There is still a fix for it, and my dealer doesn't have the parts. He said as long as I use my parking brake, I have nothing to worry about until the parts come in. Since I do this religiously, I'm not worried, but he didn't say anything about it being an inspection item and not a repair. If you have a recall on your car, make them do the work. My guess is they don't have the parts either. AND use that parking brake.

regards,
kyfdx

kizhe

Sabrina9: "Is it possible that the oil splashed on these cables and some electrical short sparked the fire?"
Pure oil is a good electrical insulator.
They put oil to some powerful transformers to cut (dissipate)the heat.
I do not know how motor oil additives affect
electrical conductivity, but I doubt they change it much.
When I was young, I was working in a remote area
of ... ,and we need to charge lots of batteries
on a daily basis. The charges we used were always over heated and burned frequently. I 'created' a durable charger by taking an internal transformer and the diode bridge out and putting them in two cans full of .. oil. Transformer was getting very hot and oil was boiling ..., a can with diodes was very hot too, but nothing burned. I think, I used transformer oil not motor oil, but I do not remember for sure.
My 'McGiver Charger' was holding up and survived all other charges we got.
I believe, we got to have a hot oil MIST to ignite oil, which, probably, happened if oil was to blame in these fires..

splitor

NHTSA contacted me last night. He said that NHTSA is trying to piece things together to see if there's anything wrong with the 2003 CR-V. I gathered all his contact informations and will keep in touch with him. I will post here once I have additional information from NHTSA.
He did confirmed with me that there are about 5 cases of fire that happened after the vehicle's oil change. So the # of fires posted to this newsgroup sounds legit. Also, if you haven't filed a complaint, you should definately do so. If you have already, be sure to get the complaint/report # from NHTSA or write the # down after you finished filling out the complaint form online.

Besides NHTSA, my auto insurance company's fire investigator contacted me. He concluded that the fire was caused by "double gasket" (old oil filter gasket was stuck to the engine, and the new oil filter was put on top of the old oil filter gasket). This is what someone mentioned before. But again, just want to let you all know about my auto insurance company's finding regarding the origin of the fire.

sabrina9

So, the old double gasket issue. Seems to be another theme.

Two questions:
Why is this happening all of a sudden? New filters? Seems surprising all of sudden Honda dealers forget to check for a gasket
What is your dealer gonna do about it?

At least we may know how to prevent this if you are going in for an oil change.
I am having my ins co check the gasket

stevedebi

Well, it could be that the UK plant is failing to lubricate the gasket, or is over-torqueing (is that a real word?) the filter. Or did it for a while, affecting certain VINs.

sabrina9

I think there was a post earlier that said the new filters required less torque. Perhaps they forgot. Sounds like Honda should release a TSB or other notice to remind the dealers to check the gasket. Since many dealers still do not know about this potential issue (see earlier posts), it is IMHO awful that Honda is leaving this to chance. Especially where this is still happening more in the last month than ever. Also, I am still curious what the real extent is.

auburn63

Most vehicles will get the inspection only as only a few will fail the test, however what the dealer that doesnt have the parts is trying to do is keep the customer from having to come back in case it does need the parts. The following is from th SB...Note: you can try this but to be sure the repair is done correctly and to get recognized by Honda as having the bulletin completed, have your dealer complete the bulletin...

INSPECTION PROCEDURE
1. Set the parking brake. Insert the key into the
ignition switch, turn the switch to the ON (ll)
position, and move the shift lever to Neutral. DO
NOT start the engine.
2. Turn the ignition switch back and forth between the ACC (l) position and back to the ON (ll) position five times. Then, while pushing the key in, quickly turn the ignition switch from ON (ll) to LOCK (0), and try to remove the key.
3. Repeat step 2 FIVE more times.
• If you cannot remove the key with the shift lever in Neutral, the key interlock is working properly. Go to step 4.
• If you can remove the key with the shift lever in Neutral, go to REPAIR PROCEDURE.
4. Center-punch a completion mark above the ninth
character of the engine compartment VIN, then
return the vehicle to the customer.

nospammailever

I own a 2003 CRV EX. I have a problem shifting into gear. At times it goes smooth while most times I have to wrestle with it to get the tranny into gear. I took it to the Honda dealer and they just lubed the cable. It worked fine for a few days but now I'm back to the same problem. Anyone have any experience with this problem?

shershberger

We own a CRV 2001. We are being told that the 2 fuel injectors are 'expiencing problems' and that the top end of the valves need to be cleaned. Has anyone had experience with this?
The engine light came on and it ran rough that is why we took it in.
$850.00 est. to repair ACK
thnx

luv2motor

Thanks to all for your advice on how to handle the recall. I'm taking it to the dealer this week for a NYS inspection. I'll take the recall notice with me to get it checked out & documented. I probably wouldn't have bothered with it, that is until you folks woke me up!
Thanks.

jar8

My dealer told me today that there is no plant for CRVs in England, that they are all assembled in Japan. She said the "s" Vin number is for another honda model, not the CRV, which is made in England. She said all CRV Vins begin with J. Is that the case?

andrelaplume

might even draw more attention to the subject from Honda...worked with the Toyota sludge issue...

stevedebi

Well, your dealer is not very informed. The CR-Vs are made either in England or Japan. It's possible she is thinking of the HR-V, which I believe is also made at the same plant (in a different section).

However, the NHTSA site is very plain when listing these cars and VINs.

fly2one

I am considering buying a 2002 CRV but I am uncertain how well the AWD works in 6-8 inches of snow. I need to decide between a Subaru or the CRV, I know the Subaru will work great in the snow but I would prefer to get the CRV because it is more comfortable. Can anyone help me out with some snow experiences in a CRV?
Thanks!

tomk17

fly2one,
I've had great success with the CRV in 5+" of snow BUT with real snow tires. Performance won't be nearly as good in snow with the stock "all-season" rubber. If you can swing it and think you'll have the V for a while, look at ebay for another set of steel rims to mount the snows on. Search on "crv wheel" and several sets typically pop up for less than $150. I have the Hankook W401 snows bought thru tires.com. $50 each includes shipping! Great tires despite the low cost. Don't even think about the Bridgestones which are twice the price although great tires. When you stop and think about it, snows are almost free. Over 80-90K miles your gonna burn thru 2 sets of tires anyway you might as well have the right ones on for each season. My 2 cents.

kyfdx

The CRV wouldn't be a good choice without winter tires.. That is a lot of snow.

regards,
kyfdx

varmint

Jar8 - Stevedebi is correct. There IS a plant in Swindon, England. The first generation CR-V (1996-2001) was assembled in Japan. However, when they switched to the new model in 2002, they began producing in both Sayama, Japan and also Swindon, England. Both of these plants ship vehicles to the USA. I think the UK-built models come through a port in Maryland.

arizonajoe

Guys - According to Edmunds, the CR-V has a 5,000 oil change interval, but a 10,000 oil filter change interval. I've never seen a stretched, separate interval for the oil filter. Is this the schedule you all follow?

kyfdx

Edmunds is wrong.. The service interval is 10K for both oil and filter.

regards,
kyfdx

kizhe

I change oil AND filter at 5k.
This cold weather,we get now, almost asking for
this schedule.

kyfdx

Honda's service interval for the CRV is 10K. For oil and filter. You are free to change more often.

regards,
kyfdx

kizhe

We discuss here in detail all sorts of motor oils, filters, maintenace schedules and other important stuff. Now, what about GAS?
Which gas is the best? I know the 'good' brands like Mobil,Texaco,Exxon,Shell... How their additives differ? Say, I will get gas from cheaper 'underdogs' like Gulf, Blue Star, Merit or Conoco? Sometimes you just got no choice but use these. Would it hurt my CR-V? I heard that all brands are almost the same - only additives are different. Some say 'they all come from the same barrel' :-). But why price is so different?

kizhe

10k for regular use. For severe conditions - 5K for oil?

kyfdx

They recommend changing all the 10K maintenance to 5K.. I personally change my oil (and filter) at 5K, while staying on the 10K service interval.. Just an extra oil change in between. Who knows if that is necessary, but try telling whoever is buying your car that you only changed oil every 10K.

regards,
kyfdx

kizhe

The most important parts of services (say, by first 50k) are
oil/oil-f,air-f changes, rotating/ balancing wheels. What's the rest?

arizonajoe

kyfdx - I assumed these maintenance schedules were ripped straight from the manual. The manual says something else? What are you doing at 10K above and beyond your 5K oil/filter change? Edmunds says the 10K mark for the CR-V is time to change the oil filter and rotate/balance the tires. At 15K, they say to change the air filter.

kyfdx

My manual isn't showing any service due at 15K. All the service intervals are at 10K increments. I do an extra oil and filter change every 5K.. For example: 5K, 15K, 25K... My manual shows the service intervals at 10K, 20K, 30K. I have an '02.

regards,
kyfdx

kyfdx

Don't ask me specifics... I take it to the dealer... LOL. But, I did read the manual.

regards,
kyfdx

autosaurus

Just got done driving through 5 to 6 inches of snow last night in NJ. Non of the major roads were plowed. As many little complaints as I have about this car, the one thing I can say is it was perfect in this weather. The combo of AWD, and ABL was great. THe CRV went through it all with no problem.

Snows might help some but for this it was perfect!

herzogtum71

Something has to be different. I have always been a frequent user of Mobil, but I couldn't run it in an '89 Nissan we had. Even with Mobil premium, the engine would ping on slight uphill grades. Never had a problem with any other brand in that car, even the non-major brands.

smiksell

The fluid in the windshield washer reservoir in my wife's 2003 Honda CR-V seems to have frozen, making the windshield wipers inoperable. Weather here is below freezing but fluid supposedly good to -20F. Have others had this type of freezup problem. (Dealer said it was fairly common and some form of washer concentrate might solve the problem after it thaws out. However, for an SUV to be disabled by 10 degree weather is a little disconcerting.) If there are other suggestions for dealing with this problem, they would be appreciated. Thanks, Steve

kizhe

Mine froze too. The probable reason - the tank body is not in the engine (warm) compartment, only top section of the tank is there).

inkie

This also happened to me when I first got my '02. This may help, my freeze up {primarily in the rear line} was caused by a weak solution in the car. Wait till it warms up and purge most of the solution than add full strength fluid.

sunangela

Michelin Rainforce tires ? Please comment.

sunangela

It has 80 k miles when I bought it. For the last 1000 miles, I am getting 20.5 mpg with 100% freeway going ~70 mph with no a/c and barely 20 mpg with mixed 75/25 driving. Wheels are aligned and I have inflated those Michelin Rainforce 205/70-15 tires to 32 psi. I really like to see 5mpg increase so I can manage to fill up only once a week. Is it possible? What should I ask when I bring in for next oil change at the dealer?

autosaurus

My washer nozzle on the driver side freezes alot..its been clod in NJ but not sure why one freezes and the other side doesn't. It also doesnt seem to have as wide a spray as my Civic had..a little weak, but ok.

MPG: FYI
with 1700 miles on my EX auto thus far, I ve gotten a high of 24 MPG (I think this was a error) and have averaged about 20. One fillup was 19MPG. This is in a new car, all highway driving -70 miles per day commute but I frequently warm up the car for about 15 minutes in the AM. My wife wont get into a cold car in the morning!!))

magrred

I am considering purchasing a Honda CR-V 4WD EX (automatic transimission) to tow 4 wheels down behind a motor home but became concerned that the owners manual strongly limited towing speed to 65 mph or transmission damage would occur. Does anyone pull this vehicle at highway speeds exceeding 65 mph??

theracoon

I have a '99 EX 5 speed which I bought new. I'm getting 28-29 MPG highway and 24-25 MPG mixed city (stop and go, with some longer stretches at aprox 40 MPH) driving. The MPG numbers are for summer. During the winter months here in Indiana the MPG is 2-3 MPG lower. I rarely drive over 65 MPH on the highway and use my cruise control a lot. Around town I try to accelerate smoothly, but am not a "jack rabbit" from a stop. Automatics get somewhat lower MPG numbers. I run my tires at 30 PSI.

Did the vehicle have the recommended 60,000 mile tune up and transmission fluid change (under the "severe" schedule). The tune up and transmission fluid change is also recommended at 90,000 miles. Have the valves ever been adjusted?

dagpotter

The cupholder in the front is stuck. Only pulls out to the first indent, cannot get the second part out. Anybody else had this problem? Solutions? Pain to take it to the dealer for this.

pascus

I just got my CRV yesterday. I have 2 questions. First, the manual mentions that holding the key in the door will unlock all doors, it doesn't. Is there a way to unlock all doors by putting the key in the driver's door? Also I got into my car and all doors locked auto matically, it happened once and now it doesn't do it anymore, why? Can anyone help me, or advice me? It's my first honda. Thank you in advance. (I have a 2WD LX, 04')