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Comments
BTW, did any one call American Honda asking technical questions before? How was the experience?
Hopefully those who feel invincible and would not lock their cars while driving(in good or bad areas) either with auto or manual locks may escape future events like that.
Life is a journey for all of us and there are lots of unsavory events waiting to occur if we don't take the necessary precautions. Time always tell...
it's probably a good bet they don't expect you to have all the time in the world...they probably want to make sure that your ownership experience (assuming its a new car) starts out well.
they aren't going to make any money from you driving with you and verifying that the system is going through an ABS self-test when you first drive off (assuming that's what it is).
but, they should be able to verify it isn't something that is wrong with the car, and that all is normal (again, assuming that's what it is).
just a thought from another owner.
We have an AM radio station in the Raleigh area that has a weak signal. I am able to get it in my other vehicles but not in the new 38k van?
Anyone else have this issue?
Have you heard of this?
So the basic radio quality in both stinks. The radio reception is further erroded by the diversity antenna in the window. This makes the antenna very directional making station pick-up spotty, scratchy, clicking as the tuner tries its best to hold onto a station. I haven't seen a radio with this poor performance since the 60's.
One thought is to dump the window antenna and just mount a traditional antenna on the fender. It looks like the previous generation antenna 2001-4 should fit. Remove the plastic front right fender lining and drill a hole in the fneder. I just need to find the time. Has anyone done this.
Owners shouldn't have to futz with this stuff. I either listen to one strong AM station, CD's, but I can't take FM due to the poor reception as you drive and make turns.
If I drive my 2005 Odyssey at sustained speeds of 80 mph, especially on hot summer days with AC running, will the original radiator/transmission cooling be sufficient, or is it best to add an accesory cooler? I know heat is a big killer of automatic transmissions, and am wondering if it makes sense to add a cooler even if I won't be pulling a trailer, just to extend transmission life. Or will the new maintenance minder consider the speed and temperature and tell me to change transmission fluid or even oil earlier?
BTW, what causes those sounds in cars in general?
Everyone else who chooses to be an attractive, vulnerable target makes me(or you for that matter) safer!
It comes down to differentiation from the others who choose to be "heros" for criminals.
As my uncle says, "Heros die on the beach, while the commander is safe on the ship at sea"
I see your point of view. A cooler tranny lasts longer.
Even though I have no plans to pull a trailer, I intend to install a tranny cooler in my Ody by next summer.
A friend gave me a brand new aftermarket oil cooler which will fit nicely infront of the radiator.
The owners manual is also very misleading on this issue : "US EX and Touring models only - Your audio system is capable of receiving XM Satellite Radio anywhere in the United States, except Alaska and Hawaii..." Now if this stated that it was capable of receiving XM once it was hooked up by the dealer, then I would understand. However, this document clearly states that anyone who owns an EX or a Touring model WILL have a working XM Satellite Radio.
I am thinking of filing a lawsuit over this - anyone else interested? We could make it a class action lawsuit.
Your beef should be with your dealer. Suggest he sell you the XM receiver--or whatever parts are needed--for his cost, and install it for free.
Would you rather that it didn't check itself?? It's a little noise that lasts a couple of seconds - is it so bad?
All vehicles make noises when cooling down. It's the sound of metals contracting as they cool and water dripping from condensers.
I've noticed this in my '01 Ody...
usually after a fill up.
I don't think you can start a class action suit - that's usually a decision reserved for the court system. If enough people have the same suit, the court will make that decision.
But that's all we need is another class action suit that'll get 1 or 2 plaintiffs a free radio, the lawyers a few million dollars, and every one else who is dragged into it whether they want to or not a $10 certificate good on a $100 accessory purchase. What a waste.
The operative word here is CAPABLE. Clearly that implies something additional must be done to make that operative.
I am thinking of buying the 2005 Touring model with Navigation, and I want to use my iPod by connecting it to the minivan's stereo through a Neo iON interface device (www.mp3yourcar.com). The local Honda dealer successfully installed and tested the iON and the iPod in a 2005 Odyssey *without* the Navigation System, but can't find a way to do it on the model *with* the Navigation System, other than by using an FM modulator (which degrades the sound quality). A traditional cassette adapter won't work either because, I am told, there is no option for a cassette player on the model with the Navigation System.
Has anyone had any experience with this, or come up with any solutions -- maybe piggy-backing the iPod connection through the the XM input or installing a splitter cable with a switch? I would greatly appreciate any help. Thanks.
thats probably what it is.
No, Honda's statement implies that the EX and Touring are equally capable of receiving the XM radio signal, and they are not.
Suck it up, take responsibility for your actions (or inaction), and buy the tuner and antennas to make your XM work.
Oh wait, Honda doesn't like to share TSB info so that's a dead end. <g>
Steve, Host
Would this be common practice? Why would they deliver an earlier version when the new is available?
Unless you bought the Odyssey with Navigation, then your window sticker will show "XM Radio Compatible", which means the antennae and converter must still be installed in order for the XM to work.
Your salesman should know this!!
The responses I've read so far say it'll wear off with time or it's because there's an tighter seal on the van, making the last thing you close on it that much harder. Like how you need to press the lid down on an airtight container.
XM "Ready" states that the AUDIO HEAD UNIT is capable of recieving and processing XM radio channels, and no additional "Delphi" or other hardware reciever is needed, as would be the case of you installing XM on a 1995 Ford.... unfortunately in the business we see this all the time and it boils down to "selective hearing". The consumer takes what they want or expect the dealer to mean and runs with it, and when they are mistaken they cry foul.... do some research, ask the questions, be an informed consumer.
P.S. - on the other hand, if you were TOLD otherwise then you have right to be upset, unfortunately not all of us Honda sales folkses do our training and really care about our product and the knowledge to successfuly inform our customers...=)
Good luck!
I have somewhat the same problem. I was under the impression that the most recent version for the Pilot Nav was introduced last Fall. Now, having bought the vehicle just this week, I have learned that the "new" (2.20) version's release has been delayed and that it will be out "sometime in January." My unit was presumably built Christmas week and has the "old" version (2.11C). I'm not happy to have a brand new vehicle with a version that will be superceded before the month is out. Replacement cost is $185.00 plus shipping - yikes!
The only thing I know to do is to complain to Honda when I receive the satisfaction survey. With a bit of luck, perhaps I'll even get a call from them.
mr_t
XM-Ready means:
1. One must add an external XM receiver and XM antenna with additional cost to receive XM programs. Don't forget the $10.00/monthly recurring payment
2. The head unit (made by Clarion) has input connections for XM's Audio and data (program info., see item 3)
3. The head unit can display the XM program information (channel names, song names, ...). Try to do it with non-XM ready radio to see if you can see anything
4. The head unit allows switching different Audio sources namely AM, FM,XM, CD,Tape,... I doubt that you can do the same flawlessly with non-XM ready head unit(radio)
So, to make XM-ready head unit, it takes a bit more work than adding an aftermarket CD changer in the vehicle using a FM modulator.
In the near future, we'll find auto makers who actually add XM Tuner inside a head unit just like what they are doing now with AM/FM tuner. That will make clean up all confusion and anger. At that time, they probably will call the radio "AM/FM/XM/CD"
JNT
1. It has antenna pattern embedded in the right side glass to make vehicle stylist happy at expense of reception quality. It also helps with wind noise issue associated with the good old whip antenna on the front fender. Typical glass antenna is not so great for AM/FM reception (with some exceptions).That is why there are some vehicles having a short AM/FM antenna on their roof(like cellphone antenna). This is a compromise between the true whip and the glass antenna
2. This vehicle has no FM diversity. There are many types of FM Diversity systems out there. Their main purpose is to improve FM reception by having at least 2 FM antennas for the radio to work with. You probably find them in Toyota and Nissan vehicles along with some German vehicles (VW, Audio, BMW, MB). GM is also using them in some Caddy models. It cost more to have FM Diversity.
3. Typical Honda Audio tuning tends to favor High Fidelity FM vs. Low Noise. With High Fidelity, the FM Audio has more boost for TREBBLE and more Stereo Separation. This setting is wonderful when one listens to strong local stations without interference (Reflections, vehicle noise, Strong adjacent station,...). But the drawback is one will hear more Stereo Pop noise, High frequency noise under lousy listening conditions. On the other hand, there are car makers who tend to favor LOW-NOISE at the expense of Fidelity. In the case, people will complain that FM sounds to dull. So, it is the trade-off game.
4. This vehicle is not the worst one, believe me. There are some really BAD ones out there.
JNT
Touring - the XM radio module sits in the wheel well area in the left rear and it is standard. The subwoofer is mounted under the passenger seat. The 360 watt amplifier is in the right side passenger footwell. The signal from the radio goes to the amp and then to the speakers.
EXL- is XM capable, ie it will display the station/song info on the dash but you need to install the XM radio under the drivers seat. The basic radio however is the same as in the touring, just slightly different faceplate.
The window mounted diversity antenna is common to all the models. It has a little amp just under the rear window. there is a unique 3 pin cable running back to the radio. THIS MEANS THERE IS NO CONVENTIONAL FEMALE PLUG AT THE BACK OF THE RADIO THAT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO INSTALL A MAST ANTENNA ON THE FENDER LIKE IN THE 04. HENCE YOU ARE STUCK WITH THE DIVERSITY ANTENNA. AND THE RADIO SENSITIVITY IS JUST AS CRAPPY IN THE TOURING AS IN THE EX AND EXL, AND I ASSUME THE LX IS NO DIFFERENT.
The RES and Nav features do have more pin connectors in the back of the radio unit but I can't imagine the radio electronics are any better or different.
BOTTOM LINE - THE RADIO IS A PIECE OF CRAP, THE RECEPTION IS TERRIBLE AND YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. Since everything is connected via unique pin connectors there is a snowball chance in hell that you will be able to install an aftermarket radio.
On the EXL, I had the dealer install the Honda aftermarket subwoofer (it seems to have its own amp but the amp does not power the speakers). $350 later while the bass is slightly better, the general sound still stinks.
Bottom line, you can't get rid of the diversity antenna. The radio reception in both FM and AM is piss poor and directionally dependent. I have been retreating to the CDs but the sound quality is still poor. Since the difference in the Touring is only the amplifier and subwoofer, it stands to reason that the poor sound quality generated by the radio is just more amplified as a recent poster noted.
Tonight I had to go into the 3rd. row for something while the CD player was on, and I couldn't believe how really poor the speaker quality was back there. You don't hear this in the drivers seat but seems to be acceptable to my under nine crowd.
I am getting about 21 miles to the gallon all hi-way on the first 2 fillups. After break in what can I expect?
At least in the North, most people probably never opened the 2nd. row windows since we bought in the late fall.
I wonder if drivers in the sunnier climes can comment.
I think Honda will have a real problem when the weather turns warmer and everyone will want to open windows.
The dealers suggestion was to install outside window shields.
While the drivetrain, steering, handling and braking are terrific I keep thinking I should love this van. Why do I have to listen to this road noise,
crappy radio speaker quality and reception, buffeting wind noise from second row windows,
no third row windows to relieve pressure and provide silent ventilation,
The grey plasticy interior is not kid friendly. In my 6 week old van the scuff marks are showing up everywhere and don't go away with plastic cleaners or polishes
Good luck. I test drove a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT and it had this ear buffeting problem with all windows up, that is even more of a problem (though I think that was just a problem on that specific vehicle, not all GC SXTs.)