Hi all. After much research and test driving, we have decided to buy the 4WD EX CR-V. This is our first Honda purchase after nearly 20 years of owning Fords and Mercurys and it also is our first purchase of anything but a standard sedan. Therefore, we are very new to the Honda brand and to the world of SUVs. So, we have some questions about this purchase and we'd like to get some objective advice from you all before we buy probably within the next several days. I do appreciate you taking the time to read this and offering us advice on the following things:
1. Running boards. Are they useful? Sturdy? Worth the $439 Honda charges to have them installed? I am short, though I had no problem getting in and out of the CR-V during the test drive. But I have a small son and thought the running boards might offer him an intermediate step on his way out of the car. We are not handy, so buying running boards on our own and installing them probably would not be an option for us, unless it was very, very simple to do so. If it is simple, where can we find CR-V running boards and how much do they cost?
2. Body side cladding. Does the plastic body cladding Honda uses on the CR-V serve any useful purpose or is it all show? Is the plastic material the cladding is made of flimsy or durable? Does it discolor, scratch or otherwise look bad after a year or two? How does it complicate the cleaning/waxing of the car? Is it worth the $429 Honda charges to have it installed? Again, we are not handy and likley would never attempt to install cladding on our own.
3. Interior color. My first impression was to buy the sable brown interior, and that is the color that was in the CR-V we test drove. However, the black would show less dirt and stains, obviously. My only reservation is whether the black interior feels claustrophobic with all that black in there and whether it gets hot inside because of the darker cloth. Any feedback on those points from owners of the black interior would be appreciated.
4. Roof rack. We definitely want the horizontal bars on the roof rack but $249 seems awfully steep to get them installed. Can we find the same bars elsewhere on the market and install them fairly easily?
5. Road noise. The CR-V is somewhat noisy on the highway, though not terribly so. Those in the back seats complained of it more than those in the front seats during our test drive. The salesperson who rode with us on our test drive mentioned two things about the noise: First, she said, it is linked to the tire size and the tires that come with the car are about as small as they get for that car. Putting on larger tires, she claimed, would only increase the noise inside the cabin. Is this true? Second, she said, Honda could install a noise dampening product that she claims reduces the cabin noise by 35 percent. She said the cost would be around $300. Anyone familiar with this noise dampening product she is talking about and whether it works or is worth it?
6. Miscellaneous accessories: We are considering the hard spare tire cover and the cargo area cover. What is the advantage of the hard spare tire cover over the soft cover that comes standard with the car? Is it worth the $119 to replace that with the hard cover? And, does anyone out there use a cargo cover and find it is useful or really needed?
7. Finally, I currently have a 2-bike Thule bike rack that slides onto a 1.25 inch hitch receiver on the back of my car. I am concerned the spare tire on the back of the CR-V will prevent me from using this rack, if I have a hitch receiver installed on the CR-V. Does anyone out there have a hitch receiver bike rack working on their CR-V, or know whether this setup will work on the CR-V?
Again, thanks to all of you for taking the time to read this and provide us with some valuable feedback.
There are various places on the internet that sell genuine Honda accessories. Some, like this one http://www.handa-accessories.com/crv02.html, also have links to Adobe Acrobat documents of the installation instructions. Only you can decide if you would be able to handle the installation. The site link above isn't necessarily the cheapest place. I only include it because they have nearly all of the installation instructions available on their website. I have purchased accessories from them, but I'm not affiliated with them. Of course the prices you find on the internet do not include installation, but some dealers will come close to matching the internet prices if you ask. The dealer I bought my CR-V from matched the internet prices and didn't charge installation for my roof rack and trailer hitch. It's all part of the negotiation process.
1. Running boards. They would be useful to a shorter person or child in getting into and out of the CR-V.
2. Body side cladding. It's plastic, so it will scratch and wear over time. But it does provide some protection for the lower panels of the CR-V. It complicates and simplifies waxing, as it's less painted surface to wax but more plastic to have to avoid getting wax on. The cladding installation is not simple.
3. Interior color. Buy the exterior color you like. The window tinting on the EX will help keep the interior cooler.
4. Roof rack. See the link above for installation instructions and example pricing.
5. Road noise. The size of the tire won't necessarily increase the road noise. The type of tire will. Honda, as do most manufacturers, uses an inexpensive tire. Replacing the tires with a quieter tire will reduce the road noise. Use the Tire Rack link over to the lower left to research tires. Tire Rack provides ratings for various attributes, including road noise. The salesperson is probably talking about a Dynamat type product or a spray in sound damping material. Try the quieter tires first, then decide if you want something more. Most stereo shops can install similar materials.
6. Miscellaneous accessories: Some people like the hard spare tire cover, some like the soft cover, some even take it off and drive around with a bare, nekkid tire! I don't know of any advantage of one type over another. I love my cargo cover. I can stow things under the cover without worrying about someone seeing them and breaking into my CR-V to steal them.
7. 2-bike Thule bike rack. The Thule website shows 2 models of hitch mount bike racks that fit the CR-V. There are other companies that make hitch mount racks, too. They usually have a longer tube that fits into the hitch so that they clear the spare tire.
1. Running boards. They might be useful for a small child, but if you didn't need them to get in and out on test drive, you won't use them on the car either. They will only serve to get your pants dirty as they brush against them getting in and out. If you are intent on getting them, alternatively look at the step bars, as they serve the same purpose, and are much better looking IMO.
2. Body side cladding: All show. On darker colors they blend in, and definitely not worth the money.(I have a black CRV). On lighter colors, you'll have to decide if you like the look. Not really any functional purpose other than cosmetics and additional dealer profit.
3. Interior color: I may be wrong, but I'm not sure if there are any options here. I think each Exterior color comes with a set interior color. That said, I like the charcoal interior on mine much better than the lighter tan. The EX comes with a moonroof, and IMO, its not a claustrophobic feeling at all.
4. Roof rack: I agree with theracoon. Not too tough for even a novice. Be aware of increased wind noise.
5. Road noise: Size of tire is inconsequential. The only way to lessen it is to change to a more expensive all-season passenger car tire. Something along the lines of a Michelin MXV. Although the 205/70-15 size will limit your choices in better tires as most are 60 and 65 series. You weren't hearing things, the high road noise is definitely there. Stay away from dealer soundproofing. Its just cheap undercoating that is sprayed on bottom side of car. It adds weight and not much else. I'd live with the noise until the tires wear out. (50K miles) Then buy the better tires, or maybe you'll be used to it by then.
6. Hard spare tire cover: An aesthetic decision. More cost up front, more to repair in accident
You guys are posting very helpful advice for a number of us lurkers... I'm also buying a 4WD EX CR-V. I only have two questions left.
1) I know it is very subjective, but are there any color recommendations you owners could make about the exterior black or silver? I think black looks better when both are perfectly clean, but silver looks better after being driven around a few days without hitting the car wash.
2) Roughly how many miles should I assume will be on my new CRV when I pick it up? My last new car purchase - a Toyota Corolla - had 4 miles on it. Because of the low stock situation in my area, I am worried the dealership will let numerous people test drive my truck over the weekend. (and at the place I am buying, they don't even send a salesman out with the vehicle)
1.Honda Running Boards--Not needed. Vehicle sits low to ground and they do not look good on the CRV.
2.Honda Body Side Cladding. Try to stay away from that. It does not look good, is not needed unless you plan to go off-road with the vehicle (which this vehicle is not prepared for) and you may suffer durability issues.
3.Interior Color. I prefer Black. The lighter colors show dirt, and no matter how much you treat or spray the material they will show dirt.
4. Roof rack. If you need it, get it from Honda and make sure they install it before you accept delivery so that it is covered under their 3 yr warrenty.
5. Road Noise: What you see (or hear) is what you get. It will not get any better (or worse). That is the way they are designed. If your first impression is that it is too noisy (some people are legitimately sensitive to noise), do not buy this vehicle. There is no way to cure the noise and unfortunatley, the design of the car does not allow you to place a wider tire on it unless you want to deal with a speedometer that reads slower than you are actually driving. The exact tire size that is on the vehicle is limited and only available in 2 brands: The one on it (Bridgestone) and I think BF Goodrich. Also keep in mind that this vehicle is not a truck. It is a car. Honda has no truck bodis right now. For the CRV they took the Civic and placed a "brick" type SUV body on top. As a result you will get sway and wind noise.
6. Tire Cover: This is a personal decision. I prefer the tire with no cover at all.
7. Bike rack: No problem. Honda makes a trailer hitch for the CRV. So does U-Haul. I like the look of the U-haul CRV sport-hitch better, but if you have it installed by Honda (500.00) before delivery, it will be covered under the 3 yr warrenty. Make sure it accomodates 1.25 inches.
8. Other, get Honda wheel locks so no one jacks up your SUV, get a cargo cover so no one steels your stuff, get a Honda cargo tray for those muddy, rain days.
There have been a number of sporadic posts on Edmunds and elsewhere regarding this 160 HP engine. Some have indicated that at 30K miles performance will start to suffer and it will require valve work even though Honda says 100k tune-ups.
Is this isolated? Does anyone have any follow-up or additional info on this.
We have 2 CRVs, 2002 & 2003 and here's been our experience:
1. Running boards - useless, only for eye value. I am 5'2" and get in and out of the CRV just fine, without the running boards, or side step bars.
2. Body Side Cladding - a waste of money and difficult when it comes to cleaning the rest of the car. We wouldn't need them for anything, so again, it would be on appearance value alone.
3. Interior color - both of our CRVs have black interior. We very much disliked the Saddle interior, but that's all in what you like. We have found that with the tint and heat reflecting glass the CRVs come with, black is not awefully hot in the summer, etc. Also, the black does cover stains, etc. I take my cocker spaniel with me everywhere and her sometimes dirty feet get the seats dirty, but no ones knows but us!
4. Roof rack - we did not need, nor want, but I have heard from others that they are fairly easy to install, more on accessories in a bit..
5. Road noise - is nothing compared to the Ford Escape, but that's beside the point. We did not notice a particular problem with road noise, but we do keep the stereo cranked up most of the time! I'd be leary of the dealer's noise dampening product, I've never heard of such a thing! It was never offered to us in either of our buying processes.
6. Other accessories - we purchased these accessories for both cars: a) cargo cover to keep our goodies hidden, b) cargo tray to keep the CRV clean, we wanted something that would retain moisture (would be terrible if a bottle of bleach or something leaked onto the floor), you can hose it off and put it back in the CRV if it gets dirty, c) alarm with hood switch, speaks for itself, d) additional mudflaps, the CRVs only come with 2 mudflaps and we purchased the other 2, e) nose mask to keep the bugs, etc. off the front, but it does fit a bit snug and it's a two person job really to get it off and on, f) all season floor mats, to keep the sand and salt (from snowplows) out of our carpet!, again all you have to do is take them out, hose them off, let air dry and put them back in, g) door edge guards, to protect in case of door dings and finally h) wheel locks, gotta have 'em!
Now here's what we worked out with our local Honda dealer. They tried to sell us the accessories we wanted and I told our salesperson that I had found what I wanted online at either www.handaacessories.com and/or www.hondapartsforyou.com and/or www.4hondaparts.com and that we would purchase them and install them ourselves for much less money. They initially resisted, saying everything would be too hard for us to do (which I could only argue that we couldn't do the alarm system). So anyway, he mulled it over and agreed to sell us the accessories at the online prices and they would install them as well for free!
We did both CRVs the same way. That was our experience. Some others on the board may be able to help you with some of the other things you are looking for that we didn't need. All of the genuine Honda accessories can be purchased online for a fraction of the dealer price.
Oh, as far as the tire cover, I wouldn't purchase a hard one, a good bump and they will bust. Although we don't care for the ones we do have, as the dealer took the liberty of putting their name all over them, we are having custom ones made with our favorite sports team for each of us! Even the custom ones are cheaper than a hard one!
hello all, am also looking to buy "03 CR-V. Lot of good advice from above folks. Would like some feedback on the AWD system as in if it is really worth it or not. I have had good luck with 2wd cars in snow during typical Ohio winters. But not easy to find a 2wd CR_V. Any feedback is appreciated.
There have been a number of sporadic posts on Edmunds and elsewhere regarding this 160 HP engine. Some have indicated that at 30K miles performance will start to suffer and it will require valve work even though Honda says 100k tune-ups.
I think most of the posts about 30,000 mile valve adjustments are for the 1st Gen engines, and specifically the '99-'01 version. I played it safe and had the dealer check the valves at 30k miles. A couple of the valves were "off" but they didn't tell me which.
There is no way to cure the noise and unfortunatley, the design of the car does not allow you to place a wider tire on it unless you want to deal with a speedometer that reads slower than you are actually driving.
This isn't true. Wider tires have nothing do with speedometer errors. If you go with a taller tire, ie a greater diameter and therefore greater circumference, or shorter (smaller diameter and smaller circumference) it will cause the speedometer and odometer readings to be off. Quieter tires will reduce the road noise.
The exact tire size that is on the vehicle is limited and only available in 2 brands: The one on it (Bridgestone) and I think BF Goodrich.
Also not true. TireRack.com (see the link to the left on this page) shows 43 different tire models that are in the original size: 205/70-15. Included are models from all the major tire brands.
Please do more research before you respond to posts:
1. When someone replaces tires on an SUV--they replace them with SUV all-terrain tires of which there are only 2 brands in the exact size that came on the vechicle: Bridgestone and Goodrich. Tirerack has tires in 205/70-15 that would not be appropriate for an SUV. Additionally, Tirerack lists the same Bridgestone tire 3x under different descriptions but in the end, it is the same tire.
2. The only way to get to other brands is to take on a different size which as you correctly noted WILL EFFECT THE SPEEDMETER READING.
3. Before you respond again to this, go to the Tirerack website and do some research for SUV tires for 205/70-15. Do not include "highway" tires or studded snow tires or race tires--just all terrain SUV. Don't just count listings that are duplicates and triplicates b/c their webmanager did not clean them up--then let us know how many different brands of **SUV** tires are available for this vehicle in 205/70-15?
Well...you are only partially right. The Bridgestones that come on the 2002-03 CRV's are technically 'truck tires', but the BFGoodrich that you describe and that came on earlier CRV's are standard passenger car tires. In fact, the Duelers that come on the new ones are identical to passenger tires, and only differ in marketing. If you really want to see how much road noise a CRV can make, put some real all-terrain tires on it. If you look at 205/70-15 inch tires on Tirerack.com, you will find that they all have a P in front of the size. That designates them as passenger car tires, and they won't have the same aggressive, heavy lug tread pattern you see in the picture for the all-terrain tire.
As far as wider tires, you can certainly do that if you increase the aspect ratio and/or the diameter of the wheel, so as to achieve the same rolling diameter. For instance the 16X6.5 wheel for the Honda Pilot is a perfect fit as a replacement for the 15X6 wheel that comes standard. If you fit P215/60-16 tires to those rims, they are exactly the same diameter as stock, and the tread width is 0.4 inches wider.
If the CR-V is used for mainly on-road, rather than off-road driving as I believe a large portion of V's are, wouldn't all season rather than all terrain tires be suitable? There are many all season brands in the 205/70-15 size available at tirerack.
Yes, its worth it. I live pretty close to Ohio (3 miles), and it makes a big difference. Also, if you are concerned about resale values, 2WD models drop like a stone compared to RT4WD.
1. When someone replaces tires on an SUV--they replace them with SUV all-terrain tires of which there are only 2 brands in the exact size that came on the vechicle: Bridgestone and Goodrich. Tirerack has tires in 205/70-15 that would not be appropriate for an SUV. Additionally, Tirerack lists the same Bridgestone tire 3x under different descriptions but in the end, it is the same tire.
3. Before you respond again to this, go to the Tirerack web site and do some research for SUV tires for 205/70-15. Do not include "highway" tires or studded snow tires or race tires--just all terrain SUV. Don't just count listings that are duplicates and triplicates b/c their webmanager did not clean them up--then let us know how many different brands of **SUV** tires are available for this vehicle in 205/70-15?
Actually, what I've been reading here and other CR-V related websites, and in my own search for new tires for my '99 CR-V EX, is that the most popular CR-V replacement tires are Yokohama's. Even TireRack.com lists the most popular tires for the CR-V as (listed here in order of popularity according to TireRack.com): Yokohama Avid T4, Yokohama Avid Touring, Goodyear Aquatred 3, Yokohama Aegis LS4, and Bridgestone Dueler H/T. All of these are in the stock size 205/70-15, and only one of them could be considered an all-terrain tire (the Dueler H/T).
So it looks like most people don't buy all-terrain tires for their CR-V, at least according to TireRack.com. Nor do most people need them.
And if I limit it strictly to truck tires, since tirerack doesn't have a "SUV" category, there are 5 listings, of which 3 could be considered duplicates (Bridgestone Dueler H/Ts in Outlined White Letter, Raised Black Letter, and plain sidewall). The other two are Bridgestone Dueler H/L (not at all the same as the H/T) and BFGoodrich Radial Long Trail T/A. So there are 3 choices if I limit myself to truck tires.
Which of course makes you right, since there are only two brands listed as you noted, even if there are 3 distinct models of tires. But again, most people do not buy all-terrain tires as replacements on a CR-V.
2. The only way to get to other brands is to take on a different size which as you correctly noted WILL EFFECT THE SPEEDMETER READING.
The only way to get a truck or offroad tire in the other brands is to change sizes. But then most people, at least according to TireRack.com and my readings, don't buy all terrain tires for their CR-V.
I have a silver '02 CR-V and a '00 black Accord, and I would personally recommend silver if you live in a climate where cars get dirty frequently. Both of mine get washed at about the same frequency here during the winter and my silver V always looks better than my black Accord. Black is a difficult color to keep clean and looking nice, IMO. White would be a good choice too, especially if you want the black interior, as they now offer it that way rather than with saddle (as in the '02's).
Regarding some of OEM accessories, I have the cargo cover, the roof rack, the foglights, and the all season mats.
The cargo cover is nice because it allows you to cover up any items placed back there when you are parked, plus it stows down on the floor in a small notch when you don't need it. This notch holds it fairly securely, so it doesn't rattle around, or you simply remove it and store it someplace.
I like the roof rack's appearance and it is useful for my needs, but it does have limitations. It can only support up to 75 pounds, and it causes whistling noises at highway speeds. There are some aftermarket alternatives if you need to support more weight.
The foglights add some light down low and extend the effective lighting range more to the periphery. They don't work with just the parking lights, as they only come on when you depress the button on the dash and turn on your low beam headlights. I think they look great and add some more personality to the front of the V.
The all season mats are a must for me here during cold and wet weather and the Honda mats fit securely and cover the floor very well. I do believe there are several aftermarket choices here too, but I have no experience with them.
Side steps - IMHO, these are not necessary for anyone tying to enter the vehicle. However, Msomaha also noted that she will be purchasing a roof rack. If you are short, and will be responsible for loading things on top of the car, side steps will serve a useful purpose.
Valves - The valve issue that spread around the net was for the 1st gen 2.0L CR-V engine. This is not the same as the 2.4L engine used in the 2002-2003 CR-V.
I have found very few people who have actually had a problem with scorched or damaged valves. Many people freaked out over the idea, but only a few actually had the problem. There are many who have needed valve adjustments. This is normal. I just had mine done at 75K miles. Like the Racoon, I'd suggest having them checked sooner than the 100K mile recommendation, though 30K miles seems a bit aggressive to me.
Taykinitezy (nice handle!) - The AWD system works well enough and will improve your chances of selling the car further down the road. The costs of maintaining RT4WD are not very high and the system is very reliable.
I just picked up my 2002 CR-V from the dealer, after its 32000km service. This was a "Type C" service, and it cost me $198.87 Canadian. There was nothing wrong with the car, and the new parts were oil ($7.08), drain washer ($0.50), oil filter ($7.67), lithium grease ($1.65), silicone lubricant ($1.65), sandpaper ($1.62). I also had to pay a $2.00 "Environmental Recycling Fee". Did I get stiffed?
I live in central Alabama which has minor weather difficulties (other than hot weather). We have virtually no snow or ice and moderate rain. Is the 2wd Honda CR-V a good vehicle for this type of climate? I know the EX includes antilock brakes, alloy wheels, and a CD player. What other advantages does the EX model offer? I usually put 11-12k per year on a vehicle (mainly in-town driving). Thanks for your input.
The EX also has a moonroof, side airbags and rear privacy glass. The CD player is a six CD changer as opposed to a single disc player in the LX, and a six speaker sound system. (Four speakers in the LX).
I don't think you can get an EX in 2WD? If I'm wrong, I'm sorry... EX is well worth it just for alloy wheels and cd player. The ABS and keyless entry seal the deal for me.
I read recently (just can't remember where) that Honda is going to make the 04 CR-V bumpers stronger in response to the IIHS bumper test results. Has anyone else heard that?
While they're doing that, it would be nice if they got rid of the spare tire at the back and suppressed most of the road noise.
Honda tries to stay ahead of the competition and considering they are selling all they make they are still ahead. So there is little incentive to improve it. If Honda is smart they will listen to the people that might become customers.I have noticed Subaru and Toyota are offering all kinds of deals to get you to buy but not Honda.I like my CRV but with gas at $2.05 a gallon a hybrid engine version that gets 40 mpg would be nice.
My sincerest thanks to everyone who responded to my detailed message about the pros and cons of various CR-V attributes. Your advice, insights and opinions were invaluable to us. It helped us decide which options were worth it, which were not, and to take notice of some options we never had considered. We purchased our CR-V tonight, take delivery tomorrow, and are very pleased with how things turned out. We got an EX in Mojave Mist with front splash guards and the cargo area cover for $21,365, including labor/installation. We will be buying the other accessories we want at one of the Internet sites - wheel locks, cargo tray, cargo net and probably all-weather floor mats. Again, thanks to all of you!
I'd like to replace the center console with an aftermarket refrigerated console. I've read Jackbird's notes but don't know how to get sketches or notes.
In defense of the body side cladding: It has saved my CR-V from numerous parking lot dings including a major one on the rear panel from a shopping cart at wal-mart. It doesn't matter where you park, this was 6am and I was well away from all cars and carts. My hunch is that someone had some "fun" while rounding up the carts. In my opinion the benefits outweigh the costs. Of course I'm in a minority with a mojave mist anyway. Beauty is in the eye of the CR-V owner.
After many months of lurking, reading and doing the Edmunds thing, we finally got a '03 Mojave Mist automatic. Put our $500 down in November '02... after a double dealer trade it finally arrived late February. I ordered the Honda Alloy wheels and the 6 disc changer from the dealer at Internet pricing. Dealer did the installs and threw the Keyless entry in at N/C. Impressions so far.... excellent vehicle. Mileage has been in the high 20's with a mix of city/highway. Pure highway (had to take a road trip) netted over 30 with less than 1,000 miles. Definitely not as quiet as the Olds Intrigue, but doable. Seems more related to road surface, because on a stretch of new pavement it is quiet, but how much new pavement can you find??? Will definitely go with a quieter tire when these wear. Love the CD changer, but it isn't the Bose system from the Olds. Very fun to drive and park. This is our first Honda and we are extremely pleased with it. The dealership (Vidmar Honda in Pueblo, CO) has been excellent to work with and kept us informed as the search for an LX, Mojave Mist, Automatic went on. Thanks to all you here who shared your experiences and thoughts.
Thank you for your opinion jfavour - now I don't feel bad about buying the silver instead of the black! The roads are usually pretty dirty in upstate NY and I have been happy with my silver Corolla.
I think I'll wait on the cargo cover and the all season mats... as I can always buy these online.
I did want to post something pretty incredible. When I went to switch the insurance from my 99 Corolla LE to my new CRV, GEICO actually LOWERED my insurance rate! Sure it is only $18/year lower, but the V is worth about $16-$18k more! Not even to mention the surprise since I thought my rate was going to go up ~$100 year.
CivicW, I heard the same thing from the guy who sold me my 03 EX. The rear crash results and higher noise levels are the only things that I don't like about the "V", otherwise, it's an excellent vehicle. I've learned to ignore the noise level by putting up the volume when I pop in my "Steely Dan" CD (boy, am I showing my age!).
I love Honda's, but I feel like the CR-V may be a little girly and not tough enough. Am I just over concerned about this or would I been seen as a bit feminine if I drove a CR-V?
Edmunds target=_blank> published 76 Db for the CR-V at cruising speeds. I think Car & Driver published 70 Db. The C&D number seems a little low to me. They might have tested it on some pretty smooth roads. I expect the truth is somewhere between the two.
If you're looking for something a bit quieter, the Forester has always been rated well and some say that the Element has less noise than the CR-V. The Edmunds data for the Element seems a little mixed up, though. I think they reversed the full throttle and cruising measures.
Has anyone experience problems with the remote control, at times when I attempt to lock the car 1st press of lock button on remote all locks lock. 2nd press you should hear the horn beep, sometimes I can't get the horn to beep,but as I press the button the dome light blinks with every press. I thought I was pressing it too fast, or too far away.
I replaced the battery in the remote, switched the remote to the other new one that came with the car.
This only happens on occassion, one day while at a stop light I accidently locked the driver door with my elbow, the other 3 doors were already locked, then all the door lock solonoids starting clicking without me doing anything.
Join us tonight, 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for another round of automotive trivia and member-to-member chat. Test your skills (or multiple choice guessing ability) against other Town Hall members.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
It always amazes me what the dealer can charge for changing the oil/filter, lubing hinges, and cleaning rubber seals. At 32K km (what's that, 20K+ miles are so) it's not time for trans fluid ,spark plugs, or the air filters. They sure charge a premium for their inspections.
What services did your invoice have on it. And what was the sandpaper used for?
Here's the list (in the Maintenance Schedule booklet) for the "Type 3" (although I understand it is really called a "Type C") Service:
Replace engine oil & filter Lubricate all locks and hinges Inspect tire pressure & wear Inspect vehicle underbody Service all brakes Clean antenna mast Inspect all fluid levels Inspect function of all lights Inspect parking brake operation Inspect brake hoses & lines Rotate tires Inspect CV joint boots Inspect steering operation & suspension.
That's it! $198.87 Canadian? (That's about $130 US)
Oh, and I asked about the sandpaper and it was to "clean up the brakes", said the young girl who took my money. I didn't ask to see her mechanic's license.
Another beef I have: I took delivery of my CR-V on December 21, 2001, and the salesman took the Maintenance Schedule handbook and his ball-point pen, and changed the "6000 km or 3 months" to "8000 km or 6 months". Then he changed the "12000 km or 6 months" to 16000 km or 12 months", and so on. I was a little shaken, but he claimed a "misprint". The "misprint" continues throughout the manual. Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon, or am I just naturally lucky?
Whoa! I just realised, I got a maintenance Schedule booklet for a 2001 CR-V, didn't I? Can someone please confirm this before I visit the dealer with sixguns a-blazing?
Comments
1. Running boards. Are they useful? Sturdy? Worth the $439 Honda charges to have them installed? I am short, though I had no problem getting in and out of the CR-V during the test drive. But I have a small son and thought the running boards might offer him an intermediate step on his way out of the car. We are not handy, so buying running boards on our own and installing them probably would not be an option for us, unless it was very, very simple to do so. If it is simple, where can we find CR-V running boards and how much do they cost?
2. Body side cladding. Does the plastic body cladding Honda uses on the CR-V serve any useful purpose or is it all show? Is the plastic material the cladding is made of flimsy or durable? Does it discolor, scratch or otherwise look bad after a year or two? How does it complicate the cleaning/waxing of the car? Is it worth the $429 Honda charges to have it installed? Again, we are not handy and likley would never attempt to install cladding on our own.
3. Interior color. My first impression was to buy the sable brown interior, and that is the color that was in the CR-V we test drove. However, the black would show less dirt and stains, obviously. My only reservation is whether the black interior feels claustrophobic with all that black in there and whether it gets hot inside because of the darker cloth. Any feedback on those points from owners of the black interior would be appreciated.
4. Roof rack. We definitely want the horizontal bars on the roof rack but $249 seems awfully steep to get them installed. Can we find the same bars elsewhere on the market and install them fairly easily?
5. Road noise. The CR-V is somewhat noisy on the highway, though not terribly so. Those in the back seats complained of it more than those in the front seats during our test drive. The salesperson who rode with us on our test drive mentioned two things about the noise: First, she said, it is linked to the tire size and the tires that come with the car are about as small as they get for that car. Putting on larger tires, she claimed, would only increase the noise inside the cabin. Is this true?
Second, she said, Honda could install a noise dampening product that she claims reduces the cabin noise by 35 percent. She said the cost would be around $300. Anyone familiar with this noise dampening product she is talking about and whether it works or is worth it?
6. Miscellaneous accessories: We are considering the hard spare tire cover and the cargo area cover. What is the advantage of the hard spare tire cover over the soft cover that comes standard with the car? Is it worth the $119 to replace that with the hard cover?
And, does anyone out there use a cargo cover and find it is useful or really needed?
7. Finally, I currently have a 2-bike Thule bike rack that slides onto a 1.25 inch hitch receiver on the back of my car. I am concerned the spare tire on the back of the CR-V will prevent me from using this rack, if I have a hitch receiver installed on the CR-V. Does anyone out there have a hitch receiver bike rack working on their CR-V, or know whether this setup will work on the CR-V?
Again, thanks to all of you for taking the time to read this and provide us with some valuable feedback.
Regards,
Carol
Omaha, Nebraska
1. Running boards. They would be useful to a shorter person or child in getting into and out of the CR-V.
2. Body side cladding. It's plastic, so it will scratch and wear over time. But it does provide some protection for the lower panels of the CR-V. It complicates and simplifies waxing, as it's less painted surface to wax but more plastic to have to avoid getting wax on. The cladding installation is not simple.
3. Interior color. Buy the exterior color you like. The window tinting on the EX will help keep the interior cooler.
4. Roof rack. See the link above for installation instructions and example pricing.
5. Road noise. The size of the tire won't necessarily increase the road noise. The type of tire will. Honda, as do most manufacturers, uses an inexpensive tire. Replacing the tires with a quieter tire will reduce the road noise. Use the Tire Rack link over to the lower left to research tires. Tire Rack provides ratings for various attributes, including road noise. The salesperson is probably talking about a Dynamat type product or a spray in sound damping material. Try the quieter tires first, then decide if you want something more. Most stereo shops can install similar materials.
6. Miscellaneous accessories: Some people like the hard spare tire cover, some like the soft cover, some even take it off and drive around with a bare, nekkid tire! I don't know of any advantage of one type over another. I love my cargo cover. I can stow things under the cover without worrying about someone seeing them and breaking into my CR-V to steal them.
7. 2-bike Thule bike rack. The Thule website shows 2 models of hitch mount bike racks that fit the CR-V. There are other companies that make hitch mount racks, too. They usually have a longer tube that fits into the hitch so that they clear the spare tire.
Good luck!
2. Body side cladding: All show. On darker colors they blend in, and definitely not worth the money.(I have a black CRV). On lighter colors, you'll have to decide if you like the look. Not really any functional purpose other than cosmetics and additional dealer profit.
3. Interior color: I may be wrong, but I'm not sure if there are any options here. I think each Exterior color comes with a set interior color. That said, I like the charcoal interior on mine much better than the lighter tan. The EX comes with a moonroof, and IMO, its not a claustrophobic feeling at all.
4. Roof rack: I agree with theracoon. Not too tough for even a novice. Be aware of increased wind noise.
5. Road noise: Size of tire is inconsequential. The only way to lessen it is to change to a more expensive all-season passenger car tire. Something along the lines of a Michelin MXV. Although the 205/70-15 size will limit your choices in better tires as most are 60 and 65 series. You weren't hearing things, the high road noise is definitely there. Stay away from dealer soundproofing. Its just cheap undercoating that is sprayed on bottom side of car. It adds weight and not much else. I'd live with the noise until the tires wear out. (50K miles) Then buy the better tires, or maybe you'll be used to it by then.
6. Hard spare tire cover: An aesthetic decision. More cost up front, more to repair in accident
Hope this helps
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
1) I know it is very subjective, but are there any color recommendations you owners could make about the exterior black or silver? I think black looks better when both are perfectly clean, but silver looks better after being driven around a few days without hitting the car wash.
2) Roughly how many miles should I assume will be on my new CRV when I pick it up? My last new car purchase - a Toyota Corolla - had 4 miles on it. Because of the low stock situation in my area, I am worried the dealership will let numerous people test drive my truck over the weekend. (and at the place I am buying, they don't even send a salesman out with the vehicle)
1.Honda Running Boards--Not needed. Vehicle sits low to ground and they do not look good on the CRV.
2.Honda Body Side Cladding. Try to stay away from that. It does not look good, is not needed unless you plan to go off-road with the vehicle (which this vehicle is not prepared for) and you may suffer durability issues.
3.Interior Color. I prefer Black. The lighter colors show dirt, and no matter how much you treat or spray the material they will show dirt.
4. Roof rack. If you need it, get it from Honda and make sure they install it before you accept delivery so that it is covered under their 3 yr warrenty.
5. Road Noise: What you see (or hear) is what you get. It will not get any better (or worse). That is the way they are designed. If your first impression is that it is too noisy (some people are legitimately sensitive to noise), do not buy this vehicle. There is no way to cure the noise and unfortunatley, the design of the car does not allow you to place a wider tire on it unless you want to deal with a speedometer that reads slower than you are actually driving. The exact tire size that is on the vehicle is limited and only available in 2 brands: The one on it (Bridgestone) and I think BF Goodrich. Also keep in mind that this vehicle is not a truck. It is a car. Honda has no truck bodis right now. For the CRV they took the Civic and placed a "brick" type SUV body on top. As a result you will get sway and wind noise.
6. Tire Cover: This is a personal decision. I prefer the tire with no cover at all.
7. Bike rack: No problem. Honda makes a trailer hitch for the CRV. So does U-Haul. I like the look of the U-haul CRV sport-hitch better, but if you have it installed by Honda (500.00) before delivery, it will be covered under the 3 yr warrenty. Make sure it accomodates 1.25 inches.
8. Other, get Honda wheel locks so no one jacks up your SUV, get a cargo cover so no one steels your stuff, get a Honda cargo tray for those muddy, rain days.
Let us know what you decide.
Is this isolated? Does anyone have any follow-up or additional info on this.
Thanks, I will stay tuned for your responses.
1. Running boards - useless, only for eye value. I am 5'2" and get in and out of the CRV just fine, without the running boards, or side step bars.
2. Body Side Cladding - a waste of money and difficult when it comes to cleaning the rest of the car. We wouldn't need them for anything, so again, it would be on appearance value alone.
3. Interior color - both of our CRVs have black interior. We very much disliked the Saddle interior, but that's all in what you like. We have found that with the tint and heat reflecting glass the CRVs come with, black is not awefully hot in the summer, etc. Also, the black does cover stains, etc. I take my cocker spaniel with me everywhere and her sometimes dirty feet get the seats dirty, but no ones knows but us!
4. Roof rack - we did not need, nor want, but I have heard from others that they are fairly easy to install, more on accessories in a bit..
5. Road noise - is nothing compared to the Ford Escape, but that's beside the point. We did not notice a particular problem with road noise, but we do keep the stereo cranked up most of the time! I'd be leary of the dealer's noise dampening product, I've never heard of such a thing! It was never offered to us in either of our buying processes.
6. Other accessories - we purchased these accessories for both cars: a) cargo cover to keep our goodies hidden, b) cargo tray to keep the CRV clean, we wanted something that would retain moisture (would be terrible if a bottle of bleach or something leaked onto the floor), you can hose it off and put it back in the CRV if it gets dirty, c) alarm with hood switch, speaks for itself, d) additional mudflaps, the CRVs only come with 2 mudflaps and we purchased the other 2, e) nose mask to keep the bugs, etc. off the front, but it does fit a bit snug and it's a two person job really to get it off and on, f) all season floor mats, to keep the sand and salt (from snowplows) out of our carpet!, again all you have to do is take them out, hose them off, let air dry and put them back in, g) door edge guards, to protect in case of door dings and finally h) wheel locks, gotta have 'em!
Now here's what we worked out with our local Honda dealer. They tried to sell us the accessories we wanted and I told our salesperson that I had found what I wanted online at either www.handaacessories.com and/or www.hondapartsforyou.com and/or www.4hondaparts.com and that we would purchase them and install them ourselves for much less money. They initially resisted, saying everything would be too hard for us to do (which I could only argue that we couldn't do the alarm system). So anyway, he mulled it over and agreed to sell us the accessories at the online prices and they would install them as well for free!
We did both CRVs the same way. That was our experience. Some others on the board may be able to help you with some of the other things you are looking for that we didn't need. All of the genuine Honda accessories can be purchased online for a fraction of the dealer price.
Oh, as far as the tire cover, I wouldn't purchase a hard one, a good bump and they will bust. Although we don't care for the ones we do have, as the dealer took the liberty of putting their name all over them, we are having custom ones made with our favorite sports team for each of us! Even the custom ones are cheaper than a hard one!
I think most of the posts about 30,000 mile valve adjustments are for the 1st Gen engines, and specifically the '99-'01 version. I played it safe and had the dealer check the valves at 30k miles. A couple of the valves were "off" but they didn't tell me which.
This isn't true. Wider tires have nothing do with speedometer errors. If you go with a taller tire, ie a greater diameter and therefore greater circumference, or shorter (smaller diameter and smaller circumference) it will cause the speedometer and odometer readings to be off. Quieter tires will reduce the road noise.
The exact tire size that is on the vehicle is limited and only available in 2 brands: The one on it (Bridgestone) and I think BF Goodrich.
Also not true. TireRack.com (see the link to the left on this page) shows 43 different tire models that are in the original size: 205/70-15. Included are models from all the major tire brands.
1. When someone replaces tires on an SUV--they replace them with SUV all-terrain tires of which there are only 2 brands in the exact size that came on the vechicle: Bridgestone and Goodrich. Tirerack has tires in 205/70-15 that would not be appropriate for an SUV. Additionally, Tirerack lists the same Bridgestone tire 3x under different descriptions but in the end, it is the same tire.
2. The only way to get to other brands is to take on a different size which as you correctly noted WILL EFFECT THE SPEEDMETER READING.
3. Before you respond again to this, go to the Tirerack website and do some research for SUV tires for 205/70-15. Do not include "highway" tires or studded snow tires or race tires--just all terrain SUV. Don't just count listings that are duplicates and triplicates b/c their webmanager did not clean them up--then let us know how many different brands of **SUV** tires are available for this vehicle in 205/70-15?
I did the research two weeks ago and it was TWO!
Thanks.
If you look at 205/70-15 inch tires on Tirerack.com, you will find that they all have a P in front of the size. That designates them as passenger car tires, and they won't have the same aggressive, heavy lug tread pattern you see in the picture for the all-terrain tire.
As far as wider tires, you can certainly do that if you increase the aspect ratio and/or the diameter of the wheel, so as to achieve the same rolling diameter. For instance the 16X6.5 wheel for the Honda Pilot is a perfect fit as a replacement for the 15X6 wheel that comes standard. If you fit P215/60-16 tires to those rims, they are exactly the same diameter as stock, and the tread width is 0.4 inches wider.
kyfdx
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
3. Before you respond again to this, go to the Tirerack web site and do some research for SUV tires for 205/70-15. Do not include "highway" tires or studded snow tires or race tires--just all terrain SUV. Don't just count listings that are duplicates and triplicates b/c their webmanager did not clean them up--then let us know how many different brands of **SUV** tires are available for this vehicle in 205/70-15?
Actually, what I've been reading here and other CR-V related websites, and in my own search for new tires for my '99 CR-V EX, is that the most popular CR-V replacement tires are Yokohama's. Even TireRack.com lists the most popular tires for the CR-V as (listed here in order of popularity according to TireRack.com): Yokohama Avid T4, Yokohama Avid Touring, Goodyear Aquatred 3, Yokohama Aegis LS4, and Bridgestone Dueler H/T. All of these are in the stock size 205/70-15, and only one of them could be considered an all-terrain tire (the Dueler H/T).
So it looks like most people don't buy all-terrain tires for their CR-V, at least according to TireRack.com. Nor do most people need them.
And if I limit it strictly to truck tires, since tirerack doesn't have a "SUV" category, there are 5 listings, of which 3 could be considered duplicates (Bridgestone Dueler H/Ts in Outlined White Letter, Raised Black Letter, and plain sidewall). The other two are Bridgestone Dueler H/L (not at all the same as the H/T) and BFGoodrich Radial Long Trail T/A. So there are 3 choices if I limit myself to truck tires.
Which of course makes you right, since there are only two brands listed as you noted, even if there are 3 distinct models of tires. But again, most people do not buy all-terrain tires as replacements on a CR-V.
2. The only way to get to other brands is to take on a different size which as you correctly noted WILL EFFECT THE SPEEDMETER READING.
The only way to get a truck or offroad tire in the other brands is to change sizes. But then most people, at least according to TireRack.com and my readings, don't buy all terrain tires for their CR-V.
Steve, Host
Regarding some of OEM accessories, I have the cargo cover, the roof rack, the foglights, and the all season mats.
The cargo cover is nice because it allows you to cover up any items placed back there when you are parked, plus it stows down on the floor in a small notch when you don't need it. This notch holds it fairly securely, so it doesn't rattle around, or you simply remove it and store it someplace.
I like the roof rack's appearance and it is useful for my needs, but it does have limitations. It can only support up to 75 pounds, and it causes whistling noises at highway speeds. There are some aftermarket alternatives if you need to support more weight.
The foglights add some light down low and extend the effective lighting range more to the periphery. They don't work with just the parking lights, as they only come on when you depress the button on the dash and turn on your low beam headlights. I think they look great and add some more personality to the front of the V.
The all season mats are a must for me here during cold and wet weather and the Honda mats fit securely and cover the floor very well. I do believe there are several aftermarket choices here too, but I have no experience with them.
Enjoy your new CR-V's everyone!
Valves - The valve issue that spread around the net was for the 1st gen 2.0L CR-V engine. This is not the same as the 2.4L engine used in the 2002-2003 CR-V.
I have found very few people who have actually had a problem with scorched or damaged valves. Many people freaked out over the idea, but only a few actually had the problem. There are many who have needed valve adjustments. This is normal. I just had mine done at 75K miles. Like the Racoon, I'd suggest having them checked sooner than the 100K mile recommendation, though 30K miles seems a bit aggressive to me.
Taykinitezy (nice handle!) - The AWD system works well enough and will improve your chances of selling the car further down the road. The costs of maintaining RT4WD are not very high and the system is very reliable.
There was nothing wrong with the car, and the new parts were oil ($7.08), drain washer ($0.50), oil filter ($7.67), lithium grease ($1.65), silicone lubricant ($1.65), sandpaper ($1.62). I also had to pay a $2.00 "Environmental Recycling Fee".
Did I get stiffed?
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
The Racoon did forget the bed feature, though!
kyfdx
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
While they're doing that, it would be nice if they got rid of the spare tire at the back and suppressed most of the road noise.
considering they are selling all they make they are still ahead. So there is little incentive
to improve it. If Honda is smart they will listen
to the people that might become customers.I have noticed Subaru and Toyota are offering all kinds
of deals to get you to buy but not Honda.I like my CRV but with gas at $2.05 a gallon a hybrid
engine version that gets 40 mpg would be nice.
We purchased our CR-V tonight, take delivery tomorrow, and are very pleased with how things turned out. We got an EX in Mojave Mist with front splash guards and the cargo area cover for $21,365, including labor/installation. We will be buying the other accessories we want at one of the Internet sites - wheel locks, cargo tray, cargo net and probably all-weather floor mats.
Again, thanks to all of you!
Thanks,
Anyone?
http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/low_speed_smsuv.htm
The Element suffered less than 1/3rd the damage. The trade-off is the spare tire is a donut, though.
If they could extend the bumper a few inches, maybe just beyong the reach of the spare, it might do a lot better.
-juice
I think I'll wait on the cargo cover and the all season mats... as I can always buy these online.
I did want to post something pretty incredible. When I went to switch the insurance from my 99 Corolla LE to my new CRV, GEICO actually LOWERED my insurance rate! Sure it is only $18/year lower, but the V is worth about $16-$18k more! Not even to mention the surprise since I thought my rate was going to go up ~$100 year.
xtremespeed1 "Honda CR-V vs.Toyota RAV4" Mar 19, 2003 3:35am
If the look really bothers you, add some aftermarket accessories to toughen up the image. Or, take a look at the Element.
Does an SUV have to guzzle gas and have a brutally harsh ride to be considered manly? Go test drive an XTerra and you'll see what I mean.
-juice
Edmunds target=_blank> published 76 Db for the CR-V at cruising speeds. I think Car & Driver published 70 Db. The C&D number seems a little low to me. They might have tested it on some pretty smooth roads. I expect the truth is somewhere between the two.
If you're looking for something a bit quieter, the Forester has always been rated well and some say that the Element has less noise than the CR-V. The Edmunds data for the Element seems a little mixed up, though. I think they reversed the full throttle and cruising measures.
2nd press you should hear the horn beep, sometimes I can't get the horn to beep,but as I press the button the dome light blinks with every press. I thought I was pressing it too fast, or too far away.
I replaced the battery in the remote, switched the remote to the other new one that came with the car.
This only happens on occassion, one day while at a stop light I accidently locked the driver door with my elbow, the other 3 doors were already locked, then all the door lock solonoids starting clicking without me doing anything.
Thanks Tom F
Join us tonight, 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for another round of automotive trivia and member-to-member chat. Test your skills (or multiple choice guessing ability) against other Town Hall members.
http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html
Hope to see you there!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
What services did your invoice have on it. And what was the sandpaper used for?
-juice
Replace engine oil & filter
Lubricate all locks and hinges
Inspect tire pressure & wear
Inspect vehicle underbody
Service all brakes
Clean antenna mast
Inspect all fluid levels
Inspect function of all lights
Inspect parking brake operation
Inspect brake hoses & lines
Rotate tires
Inspect CV joint boots
Inspect steering operation & suspension.
That's it!
$198.87 Canadian? (That's about $130 US)
Oh, and I asked about the sandpaper and it was to "clean up the brakes", said the young girl who took my money. I didn't ask to see her mechanic's license.
Another beef I have:
I took delivery of my CR-V on December 21, 2001, and the salesman took the Maintenance Schedule handbook and his ball-point pen, and changed the "6000 km or 3 months" to "8000 km or 6 months".
Then he changed the "12000 km or 6 months" to 16000 km or 12 months", and so on.
I was a little shaken, but he claimed a "misprint".
The "misprint" continues throughout the manual.
Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon, or am I just naturally lucky?
Whoa! I just realised, I got a maintenance Schedule booklet for a 2001 CR-V, didn't I? Can someone please confirm this before I visit the dealer with sixguns a-blazing?
Edmunds Maintenance Guide and see how it compares.
Steve, Host