By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Jerry
Jerry
On July 26 my wife, her mother, and our 6-year old daughter were broadsided by an SUV going about 40 mph (maybe more). Never even braked. Hit right by the driver-side pillar, and bent both the floor panels and roof. Penetrated about 10 inches.
Although it was totaled, our Odyssey held up very well and protected my family. All walked away from it, although my mother-in-law had a broken sternum from the seatbelt.
So no more gripes from me about the Odyssey! Given its side impact crash performance, we went right out and bought another one, an '02 EX-L with the DVD, which was all that was left. (BTW, thanks to Pat Parrish at Anderson Honda in Baltimore!) We just picked it up on Wednesday and are very pleased.
I was pleasantly surprised by the major improvements over the '00: tranny is MUCH smoother and generally more fun to drive, four-wheel disc brakes, and lots of little foo-foo for not much more money. And the DVD, although we really didn't want it at first, is SPECTACULAR!! The most surprising change is that I swear the ride and handling have been tweaked a good bit. Seems to handle bumps more smoothly than our old one. In short, a real pleasure to drive.
Bottom line: I'll put up with some gripes (none so far, though) for a safe vehicle.
40 mph would protect you under most driving conditions.
The number one reason I bought an Odyssey is for its safety. A number of first person accounts here on this board, as well as the crash tests done by the independent institute, headed by Brian O'Neal, show its safety rating is excellent.
The impact actually moved the driver's seat over about 6 inches, with her in it, of course. Really odd because the seat wasn't tilted or anything. When I climbed in the car after the accident, I was amazed to find that the formerly pretty wide isle between the seats had been shrunk to about 5 inches. No way to raise the little picnic table any more!! The car appeared to really crumple in an intelligent manner.
One other lesson we learned was not to have loose items lying about the car. My wife had a heavy steel coffee thermos on the floor in that same isle. The impact threw it max 10 inches and left a large dent in its side (must have hit the seat support, or vice versa). I can't imagine what would have happened had that hit somebody in the head or even just the foot or leg. So from now on, we don't leave the drive way until everything is secured, including booster seats, ice scrapers, etc.
Mark
Everyone with aftermarket VCP's in your vans, please check your restraint setup!
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Just bought a 2002 EX-L in Canada. Love it.
Anybody know the following?
- if the climate control says "A/C on" does that mean it will always run until you turn it to "A/C off", or does it mean that A/C will be enabled when the system needs it?
- similarly, in "Full Auto" mode, will the system have the A/C on continuously (whether you want heat or not) or selectively only when it tries to cool the car
- also - does the rear climate control consist of a separate A/C unit for the rear (ie. 2 A/C units total for the car) or just a blower
These questions have obvious fuel efficiency implications. Thanks in advance for anybody's help.
While I'm at it - anyone ever try/heard of electronic rust proofing systems (pass a charge around the sheetmetal to deter corrosion)? We're planning on keeping Ody for v. long time (paid full MSRP, etc.etc. you all know the story...)Thanks.
When you turn Full Auto. It's just like your home A/C system it will turn on and off depends on the setting and inside temperature. For example, here is So Cal after Ody is parked under the sun for a while, once you turn on the engine with A/C in Full auto, It will circular inside air only and with full blast of power until it cools the inside down then turns to lower fan speed.
You must be joking about fuel efficiency to use A/C right? How hot do you guys get up in Canada? We have 90-100 F during summer all the time.
electronic rust proofing system? Sounds like a good idea. I have some questions. DO they install something on your Ody to keep sheet metal charged up all the time or just one time charge electrons deal? How do they hold the charges on the sheet metal surface? Aren't all the sheet metals grounded to chasic ground? BTW when you drive you Ody you will build up enough charges from your seat, you probably will get zapped quite often if your area is dry enough. I heard about people talking about to try to drain the charges ground to prevent ESD.
1. Re A/C, my question was prompted by this Government of Canada web site - I cut/pasted excerpts if you want to read it
It seems that some automatic climate control systems leave the A/C on all the time - not,actually, like a thermostat (which is what I assumed initially as well). Anyways, fuel penalty is up to 20% worse in city driving (see below). I think that's irrespect of the outside temperature and has more to do whether the A/C is on or not. Gas prices up here are 78.9 cents/litre or $3.07/U.S. gallon. Speaking of mileage, I got 23mpUSg at 62.5 mph (cruise), into a headwind, a canoe, 2 people, camping gear, and about 800 miles on the odo.
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/autosmart/howtobuy/q7.cfm
"Air conditioning saps power from the engine in two ways mechanically, to operate the compressor, and electrically, to run the blower motor. Operating an air conditioner in hot weather can increase fuel consumption by more than 20 percent in city driving. Acceleration is also affected.
Some of the more expensive vehicles have automatic climate control systems in which the air-conditioning compressor is on all the time (even in winter) to reduce the moisture content of the air in the car. It is estimated that these systems can increase fuel consumption by about five percent, so if you are in the market for one of these vehicles, look for a climate control system with an "economy" mode.
If you are buying a passenger van, you should be aware that some models have optional heating/air-conditioning booster systems for the rear seats. If the system consists of only an extra blower motor in the rear, it won't have much effect on fuel consumption. Another type of system, however, adds a second air-conditioning unit for the rear, almost doubling the impact on fuel economy."
2. Re. rust proofing - I saw the gadget that the local Mercedes dealer installs. It's an electronic unit about the size of a pack of cards, installed under the hood. Has a green light on it to show it's on, and everything. I think there's a second part to it as well. Called "Autosaver" and has a "lifetime warranty" against rust. $CDN599 installed,including paint and leather protectors.
Actually spoke with a friend whose company protects underground steel tanks against corrosion using this method. Tanks have 25 year life span. So far, no corrosion.
If the principle is good, the question is - how good are the automotive applications? I agree with your point re. sheetmetal components being grounded,etc. The system's only going to be good if the vast majority of the sheetmetal experiences an uninterrupted charge. Tried a Google search for "Autosaver" and "rust proofing" - not much there. No mention in Consumer Reports, so there is really little to go on here in deciding to blow the $ and forego the usual spray rustproofing.
Whew! Sorry re. the long post everyone.
Tyson
I don't recall exactly where I read this, but as I recall, you have to get a waiver form and find a certified mechanic to wire a switch in. You need to have a reason for disabling it to get the waiver, and I'm not sure what reason would be acceptable for a minivan (you do see off switches in pickups occasionally so the airbag can be disabled if you have a child carrier installed.
This link has some general info.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Total of 9 colors and these new convenience and safety features:
An intermittent rear window wiper with washer, power windows with automatic up/down driver's window, and a new "Wave" key (a key with dual toothed sides making it more difficult to copy and less likely to scratch surfaces) are among the latest enhancements.
time ? I don't recall any comments about it. My key also has dual toothed sides. It has a chip in it to start the van.
A replacement key in 99 cost $28. My guess is that the "new wave" key will cost much more. BTW I don't get the harder to scratch stuff either. I have remote key fobs.
http://www.hondacars.com./models/specifications.asp?ModelName=Odyssey
2-Speed/Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Power Windows w/Auto-Up/Down Driver's Window
I know that I think the current rear squirter is very weak and that the fluid doesn't hit much of the window. Couple that with the cracking spoilers at the washer outlet led to a new design.
We'll know soon enough.
Jerry
Can anyone tell me whether the 3rd row seat in either the 2002 or new 2003 model has its own heating/AC vents?
I know some of the larger vans have 3rd row seating capacity, but the temp. is never right. Either too hot, or too cold because the heat and air don't carry all the way to the 3rd row.
pumped to 32 psi all the time. Just read the manual
which recommends 35 psi. Is it true that I have the
tire under-pressured all the time? Have you always
pumped tires to 35 psi (cold tire)?
If you will look at the side wall of your tires, it says recommended maximum pressure cold, 35psi.
Normally you set your tires at the maximum pressure if you want to carry the maximum load. You don't normally set the tires at the maximum pressure however, as you get the worst ride and perhaps more noise that way.
The automotive manufacturers probably recommend the maximum pressure because that gives them the maximum gasoline mileage. That is important to them because they have to meet a US government maximum gasoline mileage, which is averaged on their entire fleet of cars, they make. The difference in mileage however, is not significant to the owner of the vehicle.
Also that would help save them from law suits, if someone overloaded their vehicle and the tires got hot and blew out. The problem with the Ford Explorer was that Ford, in order to provide a better ride, recommended a lower tire pressure, then the tire manufacturer, Firestone recommended. When the tires begin to fail and they got sued, they then recommend the higher Firestone pressures. The problem there however, was that the tires used on the vehicle were marginal as to their load carrying ability to begin with.
I have found that I get a much better ride, and maybe less noise, at 32 then 35. So as long as you don't carry a heavy load, I think 32 would be OK, if you check your tire pressure every month. All tires leak air through the rubber and so you do have to put air in them about once every 1 to 2 months. I might add however that I just checked my tires after 2 months and the pressure seems to have stayed about the same. I wonder what others of you have experanced with your tire pressures remaining the same, for long periods of time? Maybe they are making tires better these days in that regard.
I don't like to check the air in my tires very often so I actually put 33 psi in my tires and then check them about every 6 to 8 weeks.
The bottom line is that if a child is restrained properly in a forward facing car seat or on the seat (if tall enough), and the seat is as far back as it goes, the airbag becomes a non-issue. Even with the forward motion and stretch of the belts from the force of the crash, the passenger will probably not make contact with the airbag, or it will be slight (which will likely be helpful). It is still best to keep kids in back, but if necessary, the front is OK as long as it's not a rear-facing infant seat. Those are the primary reason two-seat vehicles offer keyed passenger airbag shut-offs.
I just picked up a silver car for myself. The dealer only had black and silver in stock. Deep down I preferred the black, but I've had 4 black cars (and one dark gray) so I've learned my lesson.
It is possible that your car was modified, after it left the factory, to have this feature, by some after market dealer. In that case you could consult dealers, that make remote starters, to see what the button sequence is.
Since anything is possible, it is also possible, but highly unlikely, that by mistake, that the car did come from the factory so that it would operate in that way. If that were true I am sure that Honda and Odyssey owners would want to know about it. So if you find out that your Odyssey does work that way, please let Honda know.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
These delays suck, but your dealer was correct.
Jerry
Noble Green does not appear as a color on the Honda Website. The two Green colors are Evergreen Pearl and Sagebrush Pearl. I have ordered a Odyssey in Sagebrush Pearl and the dealer told me that a December delivery would be the earliest we should expect the vehicle. Which green were you referring to?
Don
Not sure if you are familiar with the LATCH system. If not, you are really going to like it. Makes installation and removal of car seats a
snap. I bought mud flaps and installed myself. Cost about $50 and took 10 minutes. The cargo tray (fits in the 3rd seat well) is a must (about
$60). You should order this before you get your van and it should be the first thing you install.
Good Luck.
Also, has anyone had the back-up sensors installed. Can this be done by dealer? Cost?
Jerry
i personally prefer to commute in my mdx than the ody. i don't know about the 2001 mdx, but the 2002 is pretty quiet and feels a little smoother than the 2002 ody. the brakes on the mdx stand out in comparison to the ody. they both have good breaks, but i love the feel of the ones on the mdx.
the luxury feel of the mdx is very nice too. the ody is more of a spartan practical vehicle.
anyway, my point is that if you have kids or are planning to, the ody is the way to go. if you want a luxury vehicle with awd that gives you a nice view of the road then mdx is the way to go.
some of it may be image, but i think suvs are more fun to drive.
Is this good option or are we better having an aftermkt DVD system put in ?
I will know in about 4 weeks wether this unit can go into a NAV system. This unit should be the same as the unit for the 2003 Accord, and Pilot. I am hoping that we will be able to use it with CRV also.
Jerry