Honda Accord (2003-2007) Maintenance and Repair

thegraduate

That's not surprising. They'd charge you for an hour of labor (at my dealership they want $85/hr) plus their price for the filter (probably over $30).

kiawah

Nope, running on synthetic....good for another 4500 posts

mrbill1957

Some Hondas/Acuras, the cabin filter takes a little longer to replace. I did one on an 02 MDX, and you actually had to cut out a piece on the dash.

The Accord has to be one of the shortest times of all. Once you've done it, in reality, the time is probably less then 10 minutes, and that includes emptying and replacing the stuff in the glove box.

I would argue if they were going to charge an hour for labor.

Mrbill

elroy5

$130? That's highway robbery. It takes NO tools to change it.

blane

Over the years there has been controversy in these forums regarding the appropriate time for the first oil change for new Honda vehicles. I just found the following in a Honda Service News from about a year ago:

Factory-Fill Engine Oil Looks Dark? It’s Normal

At PDI, does the factory-fill engine oil look less like Texas Tea and more like Oklahoma Crude? Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with the engine. The engine oil looks that way because of molybdenum (that’s “moly” for short), a special lubricant applied by the factory to critical engine components during assembly.

When the engine is test-run, that molybdenum mixes with the engine oil, turning it a dark metallic color often within the first 5 minutes of running. And just how dark that engine oil turns seems to vary between vehicle models, engine types, and engine assembly plants.

What’s really important to remember here is this: Don’t change the factory-fill engine oil because it looks dark; just make sure it’s at the right fluid level. To ensure proper engine break-in, the factory-fill engine oil needs to remain in the engine until the first scheduled maintenance interval.

rlommbardi

I too needed a new cabin air filter - one dealer wanted $90.00 the other wanted $70.00
I went on line - bought it for $19.00 and put it in my self ---- took the glove compartment out and put it in...nice and easy ..... rl

markob

How easy or difficult would it be to add cruise control to an 05'
Honda Accord VP? Is the car CC ready? Any idea how much it should cost?

Thanks in advance.

cnh

Thanks, but the problem is it won't unlock, no matter what I do to the the steering wheel. Do I need to replace the ingition lock cylinder, or , as someone else suggested, the steering switch? The key won't turn, and the steering wheel will not move more than a 1/4 of an inch.

thegraduate

Are you trying BOTH at the same time (wiggling the wheel and trying to turn the key)?

I'm just trying to save you some $. :P

cnh

Yes. I also unlocked the shift lock release to make sure it was actually in park. I lubricated the key; I used both master and valet keys, I checked to make sure the steering fuse was still good...

altair9

I just changed the AC filter. Glad I decided to do it myself. It took five minutes or less. I am sure a tech at honda could put it in in less than 2 minutes. The charge for this item by the dealer is obscene. The filtert did need changing though, pretty dirty.Bill

sr1945

Thank you hondalova for the reply. Took my 08 in and they heard the rattle, but could not go further in taking out the trunk liner until they get more clips to replace the ones that will be taking out to make a better diagnostic of the rattle and where its coming from. Gave them a full report, and some of the members experiences with their rattles to the honda dealership. Nice to have this information from you guys.

Will keep the members informed so if you have a similar experience, you can copy and give the techs some additional information as to what it might be.

grampy1

The cabin air filter in my 2007 accord is a piece of cake. I found a description on the web how to do it after reading here how much a dealer charges. (Ripoff) Now i have to checkout the filter prices at auto stores.

bvdj84

Okay, this may sound silly, I am sorry, but really what does the cabin filter do? I have an 06 accord, Should I change mine? Does it need it? Thanks! :confuse:

Also, what about the air filter, really how often should I change it?

elroy5

The cabin air filter filters pollen, dust, and other particles that could otherwise go through the airconditioning system (vents). Yes, it can get dirty very quickly, depending on how much dust there is in your area. The owner's manual should have all the information as to when to change the air filter. Look in the Maintenance section. Since your car has the "maintenance minder" system, there is no set time or mileage interval for changing the filters.

tallman1

I changed my cabin filter at a little more than 30k miles and it was pretty dirty. It is very easy to do and I highly recommend it.

I can't remember how often to change the air filter but it is a longer interval than the cabin filter. As Elroy said, the Maintenance Minder system will tell you. See your owners manual for the codes.

IMHO, the cabin filter can wait until 30k. My MM showed to change it much earlier. It really depends on where you drive and how dirty the air gets.

elroy5

It finally happened. My radio display went dim today (03 EX V6 50,000 miles/4 years two months old). I am very glad Honda extended the warranty on the displays (7 years/100,000 miles) , because I would have been dishing out some coin otherwise. I just hope the techs don't leave stuff loose in there and cause a rattle or worse. Wish me luck.

user5

I bought Honda Civic in Nov and have another Honda Accord 2004. I am in Southern California and wonder, because of the fire ashes and dust:

1) How often should I change the air intake filter. Is it easy to do? How do I know if it needs changing - by looking at it. Is there any recommendation?
2) Go to the dealer to get it changed or change it myself.
3) Buy it from Honda dealer or go to Kragen and buy a used one.

Thanks.

thegraduate

Sorry to hear that. Good luck with a speedy and well-executed repair.

Has anyone heard of ANY display problems past 2004? I have a 2006, and am not sure what changed, only that they don't seem to have the problems the early ones did.

elroy5

The warranty extension notice describes it as a "printed circuit board defect". Seems like a new circuit board, like the one's in later year Accords, should solve the problem with little chance of it happening again. At least everything else (radio/A/C) still works, so we don't have to ride in silence until it's fixed.

thegraduate

Good to know. I didn't know the actual problem, just that my dad's 2003 developed the problem literally within a day of him getting rear-ended and selling the car for his 2005.

elroy5

I think initially they were changing out the entire head units, until they found out exactly what the problem was.

chucko3

I guess any day for my 03EXV6 now.
47307 miles / 5 yrs and 2 days old.

elroy5

I guess if it's going to happen, you want it to happen before you get to 7 years. I doubt you will hit the 100k mile mark first (considering the present mileage).

wise1

My 07 SE has multiple interior rattles and I've taken it to the dealer 2 x and each time the technician goes deaf!!! I've been told that some rattles can't be removed!!! Have any of you had any rattle issues worked out?? The car now has 7800 miles on it and I'm frustrated with it!!!Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. :mad: :sick:

thegraduate

The only thing I can suggest is to try a different dealer.

Where are your rattles? Let me guess, one of them is the door panel/window of the driver's door.

rlommbardi

I know that a rattle can devlop in one area and make noise in another.... It must echo somehow..... look for any lose items in all areas...cup holder - glove box..door area's .... check the seat belt...it sometimes hits the side...good luck rl :surprise:

wise1

You are close, its the front passenger door or side airbag area it seems?? That is the most consistent one but there are others that are more intermittent. The guage cluster has more than one rattle and there are some noises coming from the back seat dashboard area also. I've been to two dealers already and sad to say I expected the runaround I got. Just like I said a couple months ago, it's WILL Honda acknowledge the problems and get busy fixing them!! The tech. that I made the appointment with for next week said if the rattle isn't ongoing and consistent they can't be worked out!! The same tech was suppose to have tightened down all bolts, nuts, fasteners at the last appointment but the main fastener in the middle of the dash was loose in a matter of days. I'm feel very uneasy about them taking apart the whole dash which is what they said they would do. Will that mean even more rattles?? I suspect there is something lose in the side airbag passenger side front seat but I can't say for sure, you would think they would have a stetoscope so they could isolate even the less obvious rattles. Any suggestions?? :sick:

jabbey

Hello,

I would really appreciate any comments or opinions anyone can possibly share with me about the following Honda Accord quandry. My 2003 Accord V6 Coupe had a leak in some A/C line (sorry I can't remember what they called the line) that the my dealership service department repaired. About a week after the repair, I noticed that the A/C fan was not blowing at full speed when it was set in the "Auto" mode, in order to quickly cool the vehicle down to the set desired temperature. The fan will go full speed in the "Manual" mode.

I took my Accord back to the dealer and after checking my concern out, they told me that the fan never comes on full speed in the "Auto" mode. This does not jive with my memory. I distinctly recall the A/C going full blast in "Auto" mode when the interior temperature was higher than the set desired temperature. One possibility is that my recollection happened when there was an extreme difference in temperature between the existing temperature and the desired temperature. I currently noticed the lack of full fan speed in "Auto" mode this fall, when there was not a big difference between the existing and the desired temperature. However, the dealership service technician is telling me that the A/C NEVER goes full blast in "Auto."

Impressions?

Thank you for any feedback,

Jabbey

elroy5

My fan seems to go to full speed in auto mode, but only if I turn the dial all the way down to low (full cold). It will blow pretty good without turning it to low setting, if the temperature difference is great, but it will take longer than if I turn the temperature knob to low. If you turn the temperature knob to low, the re-circulate light should come on, and the fan should blow at full speed.

rlommbardi

I would suggest to go back to the dealer or find someone you know who has a HONDA and see if it does the same thing as your does....rl :P

chucko3

That technician is full of it.
The fan goes full blast the moment you put the A/C in AUTO.
Also it puts the system into recirculation mode.
If you turn off the recirculation, the fan slows down.

What is the outside temperature?

panzerleader

Well I am back with an update. Now have almost 16k on the car. Yes same problems are still on this car that the 2003 and 2004 had. Rattles out the ying/yang. Windows screech going up. The famous pull in the steering. (Will be replacing the tires as this was the case on the 2004. Solved with Bridgestone LSV which are no longer made) Last MPG was 35mpg on highway w/o AC on. My O4 4 cylinder 5spd Japan built got almost 40 mpg at 70 mph w/AC on. But still hoping milage will improve with break in around 30k miles. By the way had the headlight dimming problem on the 2004 and was told the same BS as everyone else.Have not noticed any electrical problems on the 07 yet. Still running Royal Purple 5-20 in engine with a Pure One Oil Filter. Will be changing manual transmission oil to Royal Purple. Honda Dealers are using regular Motor Oil in Trans when changed, so much for specifying Honda Trans Oil. Was thinking of an 08 Accord but NO 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANS IN SEDAN. Also NAV screen set forward w/o touch screen feature. Anyway glad I did not get G-35 with gas prices going up BUT will look at other cars next time.

tallman1

Have any of you had any rattle issues worked out??

Sorry you are having rattle issues. I've had a couple of them fixed in my 06. The dealer did a great job of tracking them down and getting rid of them.

concept15

I have a 2006 Accord that has the manual seat adjustment. I can take it up to the highest it will go but after 20 minutes of sitting on it, it then looses its lift and the seat then goes all the way down to the floor. The Honda dealer replaced the rails under the seat, but that did not work. Has anyone had the same problem???

panzerleader

Hello, have been having an argument with a friend who has a 07 Accord 6 cylinder Sedan with auto trans. He says ALL 2007 Accord 6 cylinder Sedans both manual and autos have the VCM. I say no, I believe that my 6 speed manual sedan does not. Is this correct? I have a drink bet on this.
Thanks

thegraduate

ONLY THE HYBRID Accord for 2007 has VCM. For 2008, All Accord V6 Sedans are Automatic, and have VCM. Manual Equipped V6 Coupes do not have VCM, but the Auto V6 Coupes do.

arbys

I have a new 2007 Accord EX-L. Two things:
1. I basically drive the car 80% of the time on the highway, and I am only getting 2-mpg on average. This seems way low. Anyone getting something this low?
2. Does the steering wheel shake a bit once you exceed 80mph? I don't if it's just the awful roads in NJ! Thanks.

thegraduate

2 MPG is low. What did you mean to type? V6 or 4-cyl? Average hwy speeds?

panzerleader

Exactly what I thought. Thanks. Chris

arbys

Sorry, 20 MPG. 4-cyl. I average about 70mph on the highway. Thx.

blane

2 was more impressive than 20.

tallman1

I'm trying to decide if 2 or 20 is worse. At least with 2, I know you made a mistake. :shades:

If you have driving even halfway normal at 70, you should be getting far better than 20.

bvdj84

Your steering wheel should never shake, my 06 SE is so smooth at fast speeds. BUT, I have noticed that when its close to getting my tires inflated to specs, it does ride slightly different, but I probably would be the only one to tell the difference. I can totally tell, because when I get them all rotated and inflated it rides better, only in the sense, that I can tell the difference. Its so slight that anyone else would be like, um okay. But, that makes sense, low tires, lower performance. Make sure your rotating your tires, and it'll keep it all good!!

bj02176

I had that on my 2003 Accord lx, what a nuisance, I just lived with it. I'm sure it could have been fixed under warranty though. I'd put it up to the highest point and it would sink all the way down again. I traded it on Ford Fusion which had no problems with seat adjustments. I'm with a Santa Fe now, the manual seat adustment stays where I put it.

atlantabenny

Crunching noise and sensation of major components moving about in the car's front section when accelerating was diagnosed as broken motor and tranny mounts. Car is an 03 V6 coupe with 82k miles. Dealer and independent shop quoted at $730 and $550, respectively, but $740 was negotiated down to $412 with dealer. Attempted full/partial "goodwill repair" via dealer, with negative result. Dealer basically allowed the concession price of $412.

This isn't a common problem per the dealer, but it has been one too many in my case, having had the rear engine mount replaced under warranty at 20k.

Car has been driven very responsibly - no jack rabbit starts ever (I've been sole driver since new).

Negotiate if ever this happens; in the first place, Hondas shouldn't even have this type of problem at sub-100k miles.

user5

I had to get the Honda Mount changed. Mount seems like such a passive component, can't Honda design a better one? I haven't heard this kind of problem on other cars.

I would like to hear other's experience and how much does it cost to change a Mount?
Does anybody know what causes a mount to fail - bad design, bad materials, bad roads, bad driving. ..?

elroy5

My father's old 1970 Chrysler New Yorker used to break motor mounts often. It was a case of too much power (440 cubic inch engine) for the engine mounts to handle. If you put the accelerator to the floor, the power and weight of the car combined to overpower the mounts. And these were not vibration calming mounts like are made today. Full throttle takeoffs, and hard downshifts are very hard on mounts, which is why I try not to floor the accelerator at low speeds or from a complete stop.

user5

I have a Honda Accord 2004. I am in Southern California and wonder, because of the fire ashes and dust, How often should I change the air intake filter. Is it easy to do? How do I know if it needs changing by looking at it. Is there any recommendation?

elroy5

Here's a link on how to change the cabin air filter. Check it out. If it is dirty, change it. No tools are required. Have fun!

http://www.micronair.us/assets/pdfs/85.pdf