Honda Odyssey 1999 - 2004

stever · June 2003

Do you get lost once you park your NAV Ody?

wco81 "Lexus RX 330" Jun 19, 2003 4:44pm

And here's an old link with some dealers selling aftermarket warranties, Bbhavsar - try a Discussion Search here for more recent stuff.

billg7 Feb 8, 2001 7:27pm

Steve, Host

wpalkowski · June 2003

If you only put a lighter capacity Class II hitch on it, and not the 3500 lb Class III, and kept your receipts for the bike carrier, I wouldn't think you'd have a problem in case of a tranny failure. Honda only requires the Tranny cooler if you're towing up to 3500 lbs. A Class II would still carry weight of bikes but you wouldn't be able to tow the heavier load.

andrewtran71 · June 2003

Thanks for the link, Steve.
Once I park the Ody, the destination is right there so there's no need for NAV after that.
I mean who parks miles away from their destination and walk to their destination?
PDAs in cars can be dangerous.
Besides, they just don't make the car look cool because they are not part of the car. A built-in NAV is part of the car and so it makes the car look sophisticated and cool.

jrdowney · June 2003

I looked through the last 150 posts and saw only a couple references to tires. Sorry for what I'm sure is a repeated question but what are people putting on the Ody? We have just over 36000 miles (trouble-free I might add) and are looking to purchase tires before the next winter.

Thanks,

Jim d.

stever · June 2003

You can also try a "Search This Discussion" for tires for more results.

Steve, Host

davb1 · June 2003

I went with Michelin X-One last summer (2000LX) significant improvment over stock Firestone. Good ride, better handling. Real good in snow. High mileage rating from Michelin. Sam's Club did not carry the size in their Michelin branded tire. Michelin does have a new tire out that looks a lot like the x-one, but is a little less expensive.

janerose · June 2003

Need to purchase Honda Odyssey EX in Houston Wednesday, help, who has been there/done that? Best price? Where?

tylerapex · June 2003

Can someone tell me if there is an outside temperature on any of the 2003 Odyssey models? There is no info I could find on Honda's website, but some other website said that it was only on the EX-L models.

Thanks!

andrewtran71 · June 2003

No, but you can get one installed at Alta Mere or other 3rd party for about $200-250 and it takes about one hour to install.
I don't know if the Honda dealer will install one.

auburn63 · June 2003

The EX-L has an outside temp display with its climate control system and the Navi...

lapvn · June 2003

Where on the EX-L is the outside temp gauge?

I have a 2003 EXL-RES and can't recall reading this anywhere

ycz · June 2003

Just bought a LX month ago. Now the van has about 1000 miles. Plan to have a long trip (at least 10 hr drive). I was told that I should not
drive too fast on highways on a new van (less than 60m/hour). Is this true? And Why? Thank you
in advance for your reply.

dako_tian · June 2003

In the olden days (more than 10 years ago) there was supposed to be the "breaking-in" period on a new car, during which time you were supposed to "take it easy" -- meaning to avoid jack-rabbit starts, hard braking and overly-fast speeds.

Even then, there were plenty who disagreed, instead adhering to the drive-it-from-the-start-the-way-you-will-later school of thought. Their theory was that if you baby a new car then you'll create a dog; if you want responsive power then teach it to do so from the get-go (a technical term). These theorists were obviously all men with undiminished testosterone levels. ;-)

With the new materials, engineering and lubricants, the breaking-in period has become less important. The only (still debated) remaining recommendation seems to be to avoid long periods of driving at the same speed for the first thousand miles or so. Apparently, the theory is that you don't want to wear the engine and drive train in a set pattern initially. I'm not sure even that applies.

And, in any case, as you have passed the magic 1000 mile mark, I think you can rest easy and enjoy your vacation. If it will make you feel any better though, you can move the cruise control setting up and down a few mph every hour or so.... ;-)

ycz · June 2003

Thank you very much for the information. We love our new Ody. The only problem for me is that I don't get chances to dirve it much since my wife is the primary driver. I will have my time when on vacation. Thanks again.

andrewtran71 · June 2003

Yeah, really, where is that outside temp display?
I have the Ody w/NAV.

dougd7 · June 2003

While you should treat the new vehicle somewhat gently the main concern during the break-in period is to get the valves and rings to seat properly. The first 20 miles is the most crucial. Check the following link, it is written for motorcycles but basically applies to all engines.

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

lapvn · June 2003

Does anyone know if there are options that we can program into the Ody's system to changed some defaults?

Still waiting an answer in regards that outside temp? Maybe this is one of those HIDDEN options?

auburn63 · June 2003

Sorry wasnt on for 2 days I will check tomorrow, I know there is a test procedure for the outside temp sensor that I seen in a manual but didnt see the display option so I will check into it..

auburn63 · June 2003

Maybe the Accord and Pilot are the only one with the outside temp display and all the others just use the sensor for the climate control. I will check but in the mean time sorry for the confusion on the matter....

clpurnell · June 2003

Check the Oddysey pricing thread out. send e-mail requests to, Goodson north and west, Gillman and Russel & Smith all will go 2k+ off msrp just send out the e-mails and pick the best price/most convenient

auburn63 · June 2003

The new car prep guys tell me that the Accord and Pilot are the only ones they know of with the outside temp display on the dash.

pmarvin · June 2003

About 18 months ago, the clock light died. After reading the posts here, I decided that I could live with it until I needed the dash disassembled for some other reason. About 4 months ago, the heater-A/C light died. As I already had a small flashlight on the drink shelf - no problem. Tonight, at 10PM, on the far side of town, I got in *Homer* to go home, and, bingo - no lights on the dash at all! The resident flashlight got me home. This will get very old, very soon! I checked the fuse list in the book and it says that the fuse for the dash lights ALSO covers the back-up lights. Guess what - I HAVE back-up lights. Now where do I go? Is this a case of needing the drivers side multiplex module replaced? Any ideas greatly appreciated. [FWIW - a 2000 EX with 158K miles.]

stever · June 2003

Try the Honda Odyssey Problems discussion too.

Steve, Host

billg7 · June 2003

I have never had the dash lights go out in any car and that is about 500,000 miles of driving, for the four cars I have owned. I would think that they use LEDs now a days, for the lights, which would have a very long life and almost never fail.

I was wondering however, since you have put a lot of miles, 158,000, on your Odyssey, could you please tell us what has failed over that period of time, other then normal maintenance items. It would be interesting to know as those items would also be more likely to fail on our Odysseys as the miles go by.

auburn63 · June 2003

The cars effected for that multiplex issue were all 99 and 2000 Odyssey EX  From VIN 2HKRL1...YH500001 thru 2HKRL1...YH570161. If you fall within the range of VIN then it could be your problem, if not or if you have had it done then I have seen a few dimmer switches act the same way..Good luck

npkb · June 2003

I recently purchased a 2003 Ody LX. I was disappointed with the gas mileage until 3 weeks ago. The van had about 2500 miles and we set out on a road trip. We drove about 3K miles and I was amazed that on our trip back we got about 28 miles per gallon off this sucker! No kidding!

I couldn't believe it so I did the same for the next tank of gas and I got about 27mpg.
Presently I'm getting about 23mpg for the drive to work and running errands(30%city+70%hwy).

I think MPG has a lot to do with your driving. Cruise as much as possible, keep the RPM low (don't press accel pedal too hard) and, if possible, let it shift to the top gear sooner. (cross 48MPH and it shifts to 5th gear and stays there till you go below 40MPH)

BTW, I'm usually pretty good with measuring mpg - I top off and divide trip counter by gallons filled. Also, I only use 93 Octane grade gas (preferably Shell) in my van.

Now, I do have my share of the complaints with the minivan (roadnoise/windnoise/stiff ride) but MPG ain't one of them.

Similar experiences anybody?

dchopp · June 2003

I too get 28 mpg on our trips to Ohio from Pa. and that is with the climate control in Auto. I use the 89 octane gas in my 2002 EX.

billg7 · June 2003

The Odyssey is a heavy car at about 4000 pounds, so on city stop and go driving, you are not going to get good gas mileage. However, on the highway its weight is not much of a handicap and it gives very good mileage.

The LX had those Firestone tires which have more noise then the Michelin tires on the EX. You get a lot more noise on concrete then asphalt. The cross bars on the roof rack add significantly to the noise, I think.

On my EX I have never been able to find a concrete road, where I live, and I do not have the cross bars. I and my passengers have never noticed excessive noise.

The ride in a new car can be bothersome at first as you are not use to it and it is different from the car you were driving. After a while however you get use to it, the ride seems fine to you, and it is not a problem. The ride in the Odyssey is faster but small oscillations. In the Ford minivan, Windstar, it is slower and larger oscillations. The Ford is considered to have a very good ride, but I prefer the Odyssey ride which is listed by Consumer Reports as one step below it, at good, and have ridden in both cars. I think the difference is a matter of preference and what you are use t.

dave594 · June 2003

I just put new Michelin X Radials on my Ody LX, replacing the Firestone Affinitys. Big surprise is the tire noise on the Michelins. I find they're much louder than the Firestones on all types of road surfaces. Now I'm wondering if I have defective tire(s).

stever · June 2003

I put X Radial Plus tires on my van a couple of years ago and they were a bit quieter than the OEM Generals that came on my van.

But they are tread rated for 80,000 (?) miles so the tire compound is probably a lot different than your Firestones were. I doubt that they are defective though.

You may want to ask the dealer about a swap while they are still "new."

Oh, and check out this recent post:

andrewtran71 "Honda Odyssey vs Toyota Sienna" Jun 30, 2003 9:00am

Steve, Host

garyw · July 2003

We bought an EX cloth last week and want to put in leather. The dealer will arrange it but I want to see if I can avoid it. They said price will be $1200-$1300.

Need help on who to call, price, pitfalls, things to ask for etc. Any and all experience is appreciated.

garyw · July 2003

We just finished a 1000 mile trip in our new Odyssey (23 MPG at a constant 80 MPH).

The drivers seat has no place to rest your left arm. It needs a left armrest. Has anyone put one in or have a suggestion besides a pillow.

robr2 · July 2003

Look at:

www.classicsofttrim.com and www.katzkin.com

They are the 2 most common aftermarket sources for dealers I believe. They both have locations nationwide you can contact directly.

Good Luck

mplsavant · July 2003

Anyone out here have a good shop who has installed sunroofs in Odyssey's in the Twin Cities.......Thanks

lapvn · July 2003

I pointed that out to two other people with Ody's and they said that you use the area on the door. I told them you can't because it set at a different level than the right armrest. Then they thought I was nuts for even asking.

Robr, thanks for the link, I too will look into that.

garyw · July 2003

Baloney to those who say you can use the door rest. Maybe if you are 5-foot tall but not for a six footer. I'm 6'2".

I am going to ask the leather installers if they put a drivers seat armrest in for me.

I even considered making one that would fit in the hole on the door rest.

As for the leather install it appears there is little competition to the two companies noted earlier.

scruplek · July 2003

I have a 99 Odyssey approaching 105,000 miles. Changing the timing belt is recommended at 100,000 miles and costs $800. Is this a crucial maintenance issue?
Thanks,
Scuple k

clpurnell · July 2003

you better change it if it goes while driving you will be out 3-4x $800. Next time buy a model with the chain not as high maintenace and more reliable.

wpalkowski · July 2003

Just to add a little more info. Honda engine is what's called an interference design. In order to make engine shorter and get lower hood line, they design the cylinders to be shorter. There is a compromise; when the valves open down into the cylinder, they momentarily occupy the same space as the piston before it reaches the top dead center position. It's up to the timing belt to coordinate everything, so that the valves close and get out of the way before the piston comes up to the very top of the cyclinder. If the timing belt breaks, the valve train gets smashed, the pistons get damaged, and you end up with a very expensive engine rebuild. So if you're the gambling type you can defer the timing belt maintenance, but the odds aren't worth it.

grandtotal · July 2003

I don't really think engine designers design interference engines to save height. It may have that effect but I think it's much more to do with improving the shape of the combustion chamber.

donbroer · July 2003

I purchased an armrest that fits on the window between the glass and the metal part. I have a 2000 Ody. I purchased the arm rest from J C whitney. Less than $10. It worked very well on the trip my brotheer in law and I took to Alaska the summer of 2000

user777 · July 2003

Sorry. This may seem like a silly qn. I recently purchased an LX. Does anyone have useful pointers on car washes for a new owner? Is it necessary to remove the antenna? Thanks very much.

wpalkowski · July 2003

Only silly question is the one you don't ask. Don't know about antenna, however, have heard of problems with top gasket on windshield. The high pressure water streams in some car washes are too intense, causing the molding/gasket material to be bent upwards. While the windshield doesn't leak, people experience a howling noise at highway speed as the airflow over the windshield & roof gets interrupted by the raised edge of the gasket. Evidently damage isn't always obvious, and victims have had to live with noise for quite some time before it gets sorted out. There have been several irate posts here in past couple of years by folks driven insane by the noise. ;-)

billg7 · July 2003

It says in the Odyssey owners manual that the antenna is made to go through car washes. Sometimes the car wash will remove the antenna and sometimes not. It is easy to do, as they just unscrew it. I have never told them to remove it.

I have taken my Odyssey through maybe 20 car washes, and maybe 10 of those times with the antenna on, and it always comes out with no problems. On my other car I had a problem as it would bend it, so I would keep a very small wrench, in the glove compartment, I bought just for that purpose, to remove the antenna.

As far as the high water pressure bending the seal. I have not had that happen. Perhaps with those "Touch Less" car washes, which use only high water pressure to wash you car, and no rotating cloth, do you have that problem. I have found no problem with the rotating cloth, as to causing scratches, as opposed to the rotating hard brushes of years ago.

I just got my owners manual out of the car and it says under Appearance Care> Exterior Care> Washing> NOTICE:
"The radio antenna on your vehicle does not need to be removed when you use a "drive through" car wash. However, if you remove the antenna, make sure to re install it and tighten it securely using an appropriate tool."

user777 · July 2003

billg7,
I appreciate your posting. I think I read somewhere in the manual (between drives)

that removal of the antenna was recommended.

One car wash I went to suggested to me that they do this, and reinstall it when your car exits the wash. That's a wash though with people at the front end, and back end pre-washing portions of the car, and toweling it off. They used a system of sweeping cloth brushes on the top, and rotating cloth brushes on the sides.

Looking at the antenna, it wasn't clear that it came off easily.

I'm glad to hear you haven't had a problem with the seals for the windshield, but your statement about those "touchless" washes with the high-pressure water does have me concerned.

It's been a long time since I've owned a new vehicle...First time through with a rotating brush...

There must be a term for a new car owner that's appropos here.

Thanks again.

gucci3 · July 2003

Honda's maintenance manual insists that genuine Honda coolant be used in my 2000 Odyssey. It even says if I have to use a different brand in an emergency to flush it out ASAP and replace with Honda coolant.
Is Honda coolant that much different from others? Has anyone had any bad experience by not sticking to Honda coolant?

dave594 · July 2003

A few messages back, someone mentioned the dealer wanting $800 for a timing belt change? That sounds pretty outrageous to me. Usual charge just to change the belt is about $300. Does that $800 include other maintenance?

jminor · July 2003

My local Honda service center charges $525 for the CR-V timing belt . . . that seems high too but I couldn't find an estimate on the Edmund's maintaince page to verify.

crkeehn · July 2003

The Mitchells manual lists 4 hours labor to replace the timing belt in a 2000 Odyssey LX. The belt itself will be an additional $45.80

stever · July 2003

My reading of the Maintenance Guide shows the belt costs $47.00 and labor is $146.85. (link). (That link should point to a 2002 Odyssey LX, and labor is probably cheaper in my Boise zipcode than most places).

There's a footnote there reminding you to look at the water pump while the belt is getting replaced. Naturally there's no estimate that I can find off-hand for what we think that should cost, but the labor wouldn't be much more.

Steve, Host

Honda Odyssey 1999 - 2004

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