The blue "courtesy light" turns on when you switch on your parking lights. So, I guess it's a reminder switch. But I doubt a weak light in that position is likely to be seen much. I don't notice mine, I know.
Your instincts are correct -- it's not a reminder light -- it is ambient lighting. Several Honda and Acura models have had overhead LED lighting for a couple years (not to mention many other brands). It comes on when you have the other interior/dashboard lighting turned on (which just happens to be on when the parking or head lights are on) and provides ambient light over the center dash/console area. It is not an indicator/reminder light.
Yes they are the easy to change U-hook style. Didn't get a good look before with all the ice and snow build up. Deffinitely two different sizes, no biggie I guess since I think the winter blades are sold in single pkgs. I changed one side with a spare winter blade from another car, seems to perform poorly in the upper left driver side in snowy weather.
The tricky part looks like it's going to be changing the original summer insert. It's surrounded on three sides by a plastic housing with some kind of aero deflector or something on it. Don't see how you can change the rubber insert, unless you have to buy the whole arm from the dealer.
>> . . . it's not a reminder light -- it is ambient lighting.
Have you seen this light? It's far too weak to provide any ambient light imo. From page 121 of the owner's manual: "The courtesy light comes on when you turn the parking lights on. To adjust its brightest, turn the Select/Reset knob on the instrument panel."
While Honda doesn't explicitly tell us the light's purpose, even at the brightest setting it's barely visible. It's almost as useless as the indicator for daytime running lights. Tiny matter, though. Overall, it's a very well-designed SUV.
Honda's website (which I linked earlier) calls it an "ambient console light" and in my Accord, it provides a VERY faint glow, only enough to illuminate the cupholders slightly. Any more and it would be distracting.
It's designed to bathe the center console area with just enough light to see everything in the dark, but not too much that it ruins your night vision (which is why a bright light would not be a good idea). My wife's 04 Acura TSX has it as does my 07 Acura RDX, and it works very well. I even installed one in my previous 05 Subaru because I liked the idea so much. The Acuras use blue LEDs, but I used a red LED in the Subaru because red is good for preserving night vision. It allowed me to read maps/directions, look at CDs, etc, without flipping on the regular interior lights.
This idea has been around on many vehicles for about 5-6 years. Keep in mind that the light is just one of *many* interior lights that come on at night for illuminating everything from the instrument cluster to dashboard controls to switches on the door. None of the lights are strong -- they are all meant to enhance night readability of controls and instruments without ruining your night vision. They all come on with the parking lights and head lights, but that doesn't mean they are all there to tell you the parking lights or head lights are on. The overhead LED is just one more interior light. Heck, my cup holders light up (also with LED) when the parking lights are on, but I doubt Acura meant that to be a reminder/indicator light! Though a glowing bottle of water is pretty hard to ignore!
You convinced me! No so much because it works to "bathe the center console" with light (it doesn't), but because it makes no sense as a parking light indicator (despite what the owner's manual says--what do they know!).
Plus, turning on the parking lights also switches on many dash lights, the faint blue one above is hardly needed as a parking light indicator.
I went into a darkened garage to double check my sense of it's brightness. At best, it's a mood light, which may explain a lot. While unappreciated by this male, after all, I'm not--I'm told--Honda's target customer.
There is currently no rear-seat DVD entertainment system (like the one for the Odyssey minivan) offered from Honda, but there are aftermarket systems available if I had to guess. I have a portable one that attaches to the rear side of the front seat. It cost less than $200, versus about $1500 for most stock systems (again, like the one in the Odyssey). I have used it on trips in several different cars; something you cannot do with a built-in system.
Over the last week I saw two new 07 CRV's about 125 miles apart that were a different color than I've seen on the Honda website or the CRV brochure. The color was kind of a khaki green, something like the one the Pilot has. I am 100% sure these were 07 CRV's (who could mistake that nose and the curved rear side window?) Any ideas what's up?
I know Green Tea metallic - I've seen it on a number of cars including one I sat in at the dealer. The two cars I saw in this kind of brownish, khaki-ish green were one in Kingston, NY the other in White Plains, NY. I saw the cars clearly - now I'm really confused. I was kind of getting excited because I miss the dark green Honda used to have in th CRV and am hoping they make a mid-year addition to the color palette with something I like before I am forced to buy one (probably September when my current lease ends). I just don't know.
...I have a portable one that attaches to the rear side of the front seat. It cost less than $200, versus about $1500 for most stock systems (again, like the one in the Odyssey). I have used it on trips in several different cars; something you cannot do with a built-in system.
I agree. We got a 9" from Best buy for around $175 after rebate. Works anywhere there is a 12V source, or even through an entire movie on its battery pak.
Came in real handy when we have lost power a few times.
A reporter aims to talk with a Honda devotee who currently owns a Honda and previously owned a Honda. Please respond to ctalati@edmunds.com no later than February 28, 2007 with your daytime contact information.
We are looking for an SUV (like most people considering the CRV - the RAV4 - the Lexus RX 350 - and maybe the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Lexus 350 would be #1 but I don't feel like spending $40,000! The Santa Fe looks good on paper but I don't like the fact that it still has a negative view and depreciates more than the others. That leaves the CRV and RAV4 - the CRV seems better suited for us but all I have read is that people complain about road noise while it's on the interstate/freeway. So my question to 2007 CRV owners: is the noise tolerable or is it so bad that you wished you bought the RAV4 instead?
Read it - thanks. We actually are getting two new cars: I just got myself the Lexus IS 250 (which I love) and now we're looking for an SUV - haven't had time to test drive it yet.
I have owned the CRV for two days now. I did find the RAV4 more noisy than the CRV. Lexus would be better than the CRV any day. But the CRV is much more value for money. That said in two years when we replace our Odyssey I will again look at the RX350 and the CRV. The only thing that i am not comfortable is the lower gas mileage on the Lexus.
I did find a bit of a noise when I test drove it. But now having driven around 250 miles on the CRV I have not noticed it! No doubt the satellite radio is distraction.
Here is food for thought (which I don't completely understand): the 2007 CRV was just redone - so why am I reading that the 2008 model will also be completely new - I'm not sure if I read a new engine but it said it would have more horsepower.
I have an early 2007 (bot the first week of October 2006) CRV-EX-L with AWD. I am wondering if I have the rear axle problem. Often when you round-the-corner you get a noise and a light on the dash flickers for a few seconds or two.
Exactly what IS this rear axle problem? Or is this just the stability control?
jerry, where have you been reading about CR-V road noise? are you sure the complaints were aimed at the 2007 models? fwiw, i find the noise levels to be very well-tamed for this type of vehicle. it is, in fact, significantly quieter than our '01 odyssey, my old '94 accord, and my sister's previous-generation CR-V. honestly, i'm fairly picky but i don't see road noise in the new CR-Vs being an issue.
i was considering the RAV4 but, after having lived with the CR-V's easy upward-opening rear hatch, i don't think i could've lived happily with the RAV4's side-swinging rear door. YMMV.
If your foot is on the brake, you'll feel a shudder in the pedal when stability control is engaged. You may hear it, too. Not sure if a light on the dash will appear.
I'd expect that you'd only experience that when rounding a corner dangerously fast or when the road is slick with rain or snow. There is no problem here, it's just the system saving your bacon.
If the problem is the rear axle, you'll hear a "groan" from under the vehicle when making tight turns. For example, if making a three point turn or trying to squeeze into a parking space. This would happen on dry pavement.
The problem stems from the way the AWD system works. The AWD system uses a hydraulic fluid which flows back and forth between two pumps. When that fluid breaks down, it no longer flows properly. Honda apparently had a bad batch of fluid which breaks down far too quickly. That's what the recall is all about.
I went into Consumers Magazine and looked up user reviews of various cars - it seemed like at least a few folks commented on the road noise for the 2007 model.
green tea metallic is one of those colors i can't get a handle on. it looks different in every photograph and different in person every time i've seen it...it really depends on the light, the viewing angle, and the setting. not once when i have seen it does it look like it does in the brochure.
re: 2008 CR-Vs, honda used to be on a 4-year generational makeover schedule for most of their vehicles but, nowadays, it is 5 years. since the 2007 CR-V was a new design, you can expect only relatively minor year-to-year changes until the 2011 redesign.
I guess I got the idea that they were going to increase the HP for 2008 - if it were significant I would wait. I agree, I don't expect major changes for a few years.
Out of 4 comments by Consumer Reports readers on the new CR-V, one complained of road noise. And he didn't even own the car. He test drove it only. He did, however, make a point of recommending people instead buy the BMW X3. OK, a low- to mid-20s priced car probably isn't the equal of the BMW version.
Another comment was from someone who thought the noise level was average for all cars she'd experienced (my view). My 2007 model is much quieter than both the 2006 version and the 1998 Accord, which the CR-V replaced.
I am not trying to start argument - we are seriously thinking of getting the CRV. I wasn't comparing the CRV to a Lexus or BMW - the only thing I mentioned in my comment was that we were considering the RX 350 - never meant to imply that I considered them in the same class. I just bought a Lexus IS 250 and the dealer said he would give me a great deal on the RX 350 - however, it would still be $10,000 more than the CRV! Also, there is the gas mileage to consider.
As far as the road noise - I was asking - trying to get honest opinions because of what I had read from the opinions on Consumers (and by the way, there were far more than four comments - those four comments were posted under 2007; however, some people with a 2007 CRX gave their opinions under the 2006 Year - looking at them all together was why I asked for opinions here).
Point taken. I went and looked at the other CR comments posted under the 2006 model. Frankly, I'm surprised. But the couple of posters who mentioned road noise were also glowing in their overall comments about the CR-V. All seemed to be satisfied owners.
As to noise, we also have a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. If there's a difference in noise between the two models, it's slight.
Best bet is to go on a long test drive and judge for yourself. Try to include a rough road if possible and a long freeway stretch. Good luck.
i'd appreciate if anyone else here with an '07 CR-V would try this and report back here so i can see if this happens to everyone. while underway, if we open the right rear window (keeping all other windows and the moonroof closed), we get the strangest buffeting inside. it is like a loud "woof-woof-woof sound". it starts to go away if we crack another window, etc.
btw, i shave by a cold mountain stream with nothing except my Buck knife :surprise:
That buffeting is very common on a number of small suv's. That is exactly why I didn't buy a Highlander a number of years ago. We were on the final test drive on a highway (my wife driving since it was going to be her vehicle), and she hit the wrong window button putting down the window. It about blew out our heads with the buffeting. I was saying 'shut the window', but she didn't know which button to put it back up, so we drove a while that way. The salesman was in the back seat.....and after the window was finally back up said, gee...that was pretty bad. Needless to say, we didn't buy the car.
Yes, we to have experienced this very annoying phenomenon. Its hasn't warmed up enough in our area yet to have the need to have the windows down for more than a second or two. But I will try the suggestion of the fellow poster to crack open the opposite side window to see if it relieves the buffeting.
Both our 03 CR-V and 03 Pilot do the buffeting with just one of the back side windows down 2 or more inches. I don't think they do with a slight crack for fresh air.
Comments
Yes it does. I forget the page number. It indicates that the parking lights are on.
I should make a video of me trying to change the wiper blade inserts on my 1982 Accord... Of course, I'd need about 3 hours of tape... :surprise:
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Your instincts are correct -- it's not a reminder light -- it is ambient lighting. Several Honda and Acura models have had overhead LED lighting for a couple years (not to mention many other brands). It comes on when you have the other interior/dashboard lighting turned on (which just happens to be on when the parking or head lights are on) and provides ambient light over the center dash/console area. It is not an indicator/reminder light.
The tricky part looks like it's going to be changing the original summer insert. It's surrounded on three sides by a plastic housing with some kind of aero deflector or something on it. Don't see how you can change the rubber insert, unless you have to buy the whole arm from the dealer.
Have you seen this light? It's far too weak to provide any ambient light imo.
From page 121 of the owner's manual: "The courtesy light comes on when you turn the parking lights on. To adjust its brightest, turn the Select/Reset knob on the instrument panel."
While Honda doesn't explicitly tell us the light's purpose, even at the brightest setting it's barely visible. It's almost as useless as the indicator for daytime running lights. Tiny matter, though. Overall, it's a very well-designed SUV.
This idea has been around on many vehicles for about 5-6 years. Keep in mind that the light is just one of *many* interior lights that come on at night for illuminating everything from the instrument cluster to dashboard controls to switches on the door. None of the lights are strong -- they are all meant to enhance night readability of controls and instruments without ruining your night vision. They all come on with the parking lights and head lights, but that doesn't mean they are all there to tell you the parking lights or head lights are on. The overhead LED is just one more interior light. Heck, my cup holders light up (also with LED) when the parking lights are on, but I doubt Acura meant that to be a reminder/indicator light! Though a glowing bottle of water is pretty hard to ignore!
Plus, turning on the parking lights also switches on many dash lights, the faint blue one above is hardly needed as a parking light indicator.
I went into a darkened garage to double check my sense of it's brightness. At best, it's a mood light, which may explain a lot. While unappreciated by this male, after all, I'm not--I'm told--Honda's target customer.
In fact, my concern would be the screens are so big they may block your view!
They have cheaper/smaller ones but not with free installation, or at least not that I noticed.
-juice
I agree. We got a 9" from Best buy for around $175 after rebate. Works anywhere there is a 12V source, or even through an entire movie on its battery pak.
Came in real handy when we have lost power a few times.
Kip
We didn't come from a Lexus though, so our standards will be different.
I did find a bit of a noise when I test drove it. But now having driven around 250 miles on the CRV I have not noticed it! No doubt the satellite radio is distraction.
Where are you reading this?
Exactly what IS this rear axle problem? Or is this just the stability control?
i was considering the RAV4 but, after having lived with the CR-V's easy upward-opening rear hatch, i don't think i could've lived happily with the RAV4's side-swinging rear door. YMMV.
I'd expect that you'd only experience that when rounding a corner dangerously fast or when the road is slick with rain or snow. There is no problem here, it's just the system saving your bacon.
If the problem is the rear axle, you'll hear a "groan" from under the vehicle when making tight turns. For example, if making a three point turn or trying to squeeze into a parking space. This would happen on dry pavement.
The problem stems from the way the AWD system works. The AWD system uses a hydraulic fluid which flows back and forth between two pumps. When that fluid breaks down, it no longer flows properly. Honda apparently had a bad batch of fluid which breaks down far too quickly. That's what the recall is all about.
-juice
re: 2008 CR-Vs, honda used to be on a 4-year generational makeover schedule for most of their vehicles but, nowadays, it is 5 years. since the 2007 CR-V was a new design, you can expect only relatively minor year-to-year changes until the 2011 redesign.
Another comment was from someone who thought the noise level was average for all cars she'd experienced (my view). My 2007 model is much quieter than both the 2006 version and the 1998 Accord, which the CR-V replaced.
Next, we compare the Honda Fit with the Mercedes-Benz S-class!
-juice
Next, we compare the Honda Fit with the Mercedes-Benz S-class!
-juice
I agree!
I hate apples to oranges comparisons.
-juice
As far as the road noise - I was asking - trying to get honest opinions because of what I had read from the opinions on Consumers (and by the way, there were far more than four comments - those four comments were posted under 2007; however, some people with a 2007 CRX gave their opinions under the 2006 Year - looking at them all together was why I asked for opinions here).
As to noise, we also have a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. If there's a difference in noise between the two models, it's slight.
Best bet is to go on a long test drive and judge for yourself. Try to include a rough road if possible and a long freeway stretch. Good luck.
I gotta try one of those Mack III razors!
The wife is always complaining that the chain saw wakes her up when I shave in the mornings.
Kip
btw, i shave by a cold mountain stream with nothing except my Buck knife :surprise:
Always open a second opposite window.
Kip
-juice
Please DON'T post any pictures! :sick: