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Comments
Often they'll bundle in some accessories one may or may not want. Lexus dealers do this too.
One nice thing about Honda/Acura is how they don't offer as many option packages.
http://www.carmax.com/dyn/compare/comparevehicles.aspx
I have no idea where you live, but you could probably pick up a cheap airline ticket, throw away the return trip and save quite a bit of money if you've got the time for a road trip over the holidays!
Good Luck!
1. Is there any way to program the seat belt reminder beeper to stop beeping??
2. Is there any information on the largest tire that will fit on a stock pilot? I am looking to put on a more aggresive tread, maybe a 265 or 31 inch.
2. I would check with the Tire Rack guys. Be careful not to go overboard.
If you are thinking all terrain or mud terrain, there are plenty in the 235/70-16 size. That size was first used on the 94 Land Rover Discovery and now can be found on Jeep Liberty to Pilots.
When the outside air temp drops, so does the air pressure in your tires. Mine tires will drop about 2 lbs per every 15-20 degrees F drop.
We're predicted to drop below zero over the next couple of days, from 40 degrees when I last checked the pressure. I know I'm going to be between 4-6lbs light in each tire by Christmas morning.
The worst (short term) thing you can do to a tire is drive it when it's under inflated.
This will eventually destroy the sidewalls on the tires (remember the Ford Exploder with the Firestone under inflated tire disaster)?
Happy Holidays.
-Pete
I have VTM4 and to use it you set it while stopped and put gear on 2 or 1 - this locks the wheels and makes it 4 wheel drive. Does the light on VTM need be on for all wheel drive to work or does all wheel drive work as soon as you start your car automatically sending power to wheels that lose traction?
All wheel drive is all the time. When you start out the rears get more power than when moving at 40 MPH where they little or none. The light doesn't need to be on and if the fronts slip the rears get traction. However if 1 rear is on ice, you have an open differential in the rear and you will just spin 1 of those tires.
If you press the button and get the light, both rears are locked and you get the same power applied to both wheels so even if both fronts and one rear is spinning, you will move forward.
So when driving in snow, you don't need to do anything, the system will route power as required and I think you will be happy with the performance. If you get stuck on an ice patch or need a little extra to get through a snow bank, you can lock the rears by hitting the button.
The 18mph restriction only applies when you manually engage the "VTM-4 Lock" mode by pressing a button on the console. This works in 1st, 2nd, and reverse gears and forces power to the rear axle. The Lock mode progressively reduces the amount of torque allocated to the rear, to the point where it disappears at 18mph. This mode is used primarily for extricating oneself from a sticky situation.
Under normal cruising (at speeds below and above 18mph), the VTM-4 system drives the front wheels only. However, when slippage is detected, the system can and will route torque to the rear to drive the rear wheels. In that sense, the Pilot is like other "full-time AWD" vehicles that do not drive all the wheels all the time, but don't automatically engage all the wheels as needed.
It just has the extra "Lock" mode which is useful for extrication, as well as an anticipatory mode where it will engage the rears when accelerating (to prevent slippage on launches).
There is probably little torque applied to the rears at 40 MPH, how often do you spin your wheels getting traction at that speed? Even in offroad conditions, over 20 MPH 2wd will get you through, there is enough car momentum to keep you moving.
I agree with the above comments regarding salespeople. I often test drive new cars/trucks for fun. I read all about them on the web and then have to drive them. I know about all the problems, true costs, accessories, wind noise, etc. I have friends that take me car shopping...it is fun to undermine the salesperson during the process to hopefully get as much of an upperhand as possible. Usually I can do circles around them regarding the information...and they do it for a living. I have even practiced going all the way to the sale before backing out, this was prior to my last purchase (I don't do this all the time, because that is just unfair to the salespeople). The only upperhand they really have is knowing how much the car really costs them if you do your homework. While I am on my high horse...I think something should be done about car salespeople outright lying to you. As far as I know there is no advisory board, no one gets a license or has to take a test to sell cars...the day someone actually regulates that industry would really change things. If other industries tricked consumers, lied, didn't honor deals, etc the way some dealerships and salespeople do, there would be legal action. Ok off my horse.
There was a web article, I cannot find it anymore, about how the MDX VTM system was specifically designed for snow and tested in the himalayas. I think you will be pleased with the Pilot AWD system. I have an Isuzu with a "real" 4x4 system and a MDX...both are about the same in snow...which is very good, if not great.
Gotta do your homework (as you obviously do).
Steve, Host
Yeah, we do run into time wasters like yourself.
I won't even comment on the rest of your post except to say you are correct. There are, indeed salespeople who know little about their product.
I just hope I don't get you as a "customer".
Seriously, I think you need a hobby.
tidester, host
Hobbies, I have a few. I test drive 3/4 cars a year. Reading about cars on the internet is one my hobbies and it is great to get a chance to test drive something you read about. Next up is the new Nissan Pathfinder...which too has a chance to replace my Isuzu. Typically I bring my 5 year old with me so it can almost qualify as babysitting :-).
I think the Integrity's are poor on wet and snow. I am looking to replace them with a better light all terrain.
My previous SUV, an Isuzu Trooper came with Bridgestone Duelers, then I put on BFG AT's ($$$) and then Kumho Road Venture AT's.
I may put the Kumho's on the Pilot next. They were a great compromise between price and performance, a good value.
What are you folks replacing the Integrity's with?
-Eric
SUV owners care little about fuel economy, Fukui says. "If they look for fuel efficiency," he says, "they could shift to a car."
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101529
Instead we went for a Tahoe with 61 inches of rear seat. Its not that much larger. The Tahoe is definitely more of a truck than the Pilot but it tows our camper probably better. Gas milage isn't that much different. we get 18-19mpg highway. The Pilots fold flat 3rd row is better.
Highlander was smaller than the Pilot.
We looked at a lot of different models.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Sure its a difference but its only maybe 100 to 150 bucks a year (based on 10k miles per year)
--jay
We are actually VERY rarely on the open highway with the Pilot and, therefore, didn't discover that highway number until a recent trip. My wife spends over 80% of her time in city driving and manages to average right around 20 mpg on a consistent basis. Pretty good for a mid-sized 7-passenger SUV, IMHO.
Out of curiosity, do you find your Tahoe mileage to be typical of owners?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
14-18 is whats on the sticker for the 5.3 and I think the 4.8 is listed at 15-19mpg.
Notice however I didn't give you my city mpg numbers. :O They are closer to 14-15 and less if my wife lets it warm up. For the past 3 weeks its been around 10F. So it spends a bunch of time just idling. I think we had a 12mpg once or twice.
we got the 23mpg in Yellowstone last summer. I guess our Tahoe likes a nice steady cruise at 45mph. 3 tanks in a row and filled up at the same pump too. Very pleasant suprise.
The biggest reasons we didn't get a Pilot was obnoxious sales person and location of dealer ship. 30 miles to closest dealership. just too big of pain to get regular maint. done.
--jay
I have too many friends that have American cars/trucks that has had too many problems. The most recent being a friend with a 02 Tahoe where the fuel gauge read full twice and it ran out of gas. Brought it to the dealer and they made some crazy excuse saying that he had too much stereo equipment and TV's in his truck that he hooked up wrong to mess up the fuel gauge. I mean come on! Also, I always had a Japanese car/truck (92 Integra, 98 Montero Sport, 03 ES300, 04 Sequoia) so I'm a little biased. The Pilot and MDX seems to be the widest for average size SUV's. Dpn't know where else to look...any other suggestions?
The rub with the center position in the MDX is the seatbelt is very vertical, so it doesn't fit across the shoulder as one would think it should, overall the back seat in the MDX (and I am sure the pilot) is very roomy.
As for MPG we get 15 around town and over 23 on the highway. I don't bother checking on the highway anymore, but the increased mileage on the highway is great for road trips because it minimized stops.
The pilot did fit three across, but it ws tight and we dislike using the third row unless absolutely necessary since it takes up a lot of cargo room. Stop by a honda dealer and try it out. Take the infant seat and child seat and see if you fit. Other thing is your wife won't sit back there too long since you oldest child will be able to help out soon with handing toys and snacks.
Granted this is a mini van but how about Toyota seinna (le-8)? Some models have 3 across in the second row. Middle seat moves forward so it can be reached from the front. The new Honda Ody has a 3 across option too but I think the middle seat is a joke, but haven't seen it in person. better mpg and cost less than a SUV.
--jay
I guess imagery is powerful indeed. Guilty here too - my wife drove an Odyssey for 5 years and now has a Pilot, refusing another minivan.
But the MDX IS a wagon/van! It's based on the Odyssey, it just doesn't have sliding doors. We are considering one due to it's van like qualities.
Also, does anyone know if the Pilot will have curtain airbags in 06?
That said, given all of the '05 changes, it is a good bet that they will. They have said all of their vehicles will have them by end of calendar year 2006.
http://www.hondanews.com/CatID1000?mid=2005011134476&mime=asc
I would expect side curtain bags this time around. Still a little surprised they didn't make it to the 05MY.
So, they could hold off till 07MY but with the 06MY being the typical mid model cycle (MMC) refresh for the Pilot and VCM being mentioned as being offered on the (some?) 06MY Pilots I would expect curtains. Wonder what else will be done? Amber directionals? Clear lenses?