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2001 - 2006 Honda CR-Vs

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  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    You'll have to turn them off yourself. There is a chime to remind you. And, light comes out of the headlights as a visual reminder. ; )

    That was my moms big complaint when going from a Catera to a Civic EX. Of course, she doesn't mind saving $100+ a month in car payments, 100+ a year in insurance, a boatload at the pump (Catera took Premium too.) and the fact that the Civic hasn't seen a service center in the two years she's owned it.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    She doesn't change the oil? :o)

    Tim: Subarus do that, auto-off headlights that is. They give you a parking light switch at the top of the steering column for when you actually intend to keep the lights on. I think that's common in Europe, for when you parallel park on a narrow street.

    -juice
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    That parking light switch got me the other day. I wiped down the dash and then noticed, a couple of hours later, that the lights were on. I was ready to call for help on Town Hall when I found the switch pictured in the owner's manual.

    It's pretty well hidden up there!

    Steve, Host
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    About 3 people have come to Edmunds asking why they could not get those lights off. It's the first thing that comes to mind, and it's always been that switch.

    -juice
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    Nope, she doesn't change the oil. I do, in my garage.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I figured, just teasing. Good for you. Don't forget to recycle that oil.

    -juice
  • timhondatimhonda Member Posts: 24
    Thank you for letting me know there is a chime when the lights are left on. I'm hearing impaired and didn't realize there was a sound. Also, my 2001 Odyssey has auto-off headlights so I thought all Honda models had that feature.
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    I knew you were kidding. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I really respect your opinion and your level-headed nature on these boards.

    Our family has owned an oil recycling company since the mid 1950s. I've got all the bases covered. (On this at least.)
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    Apologies for my smart aleck comment regarding the lights. There is a tone if you leave your lights on. I don't drive our CR-V daily so I don't remember exactly what it is.

    I have wondered if some of the goodies from the Odyssey, like the auto lights and variable speed wipers, would work in the CR-V. I own a Mazda Protege5 and the stalk that controls the variable wipers from a 626 can be used to replace the stock one in the Protege5.

    Anyone? Varmint?
  • timhondatimhonda Member Posts: 24
    Thank you for letting me know there is a chime when the lights are left on. I'm hearing impaired and didn't realize there was a sound. Also, my 2001 Odyssey has auto-off headlights so I thought all Honda models had that feature.
  • timhondatimhonda Member Posts: 24
    No apologies needed, really. Your feedback did help.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Edmunds is great, you gotta admit they do a good job filtering out trolls relatively quickly.

    Do Hondas still give you 4 quick beeps when the keys are left in the ignition? Do Acuras also do that?

    -juice
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    I don't know if Acuras do it but, Hondas still do. I'm supposing this isn't news to you but, the 4 beeps represent morse code for the letter "H".
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Didn't know that, actually. Neat.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://earthrenewal.org/morse.htm

    Did that search to find out about Acura. They would be Beep-Beeeeeeeep.

    -juice
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    Yeah, it is pretty cool. They took an extra step to make something that could be completely meaningless have meaning. Here's a cool time waster from Tom and Ray at Car Talk that works the Honda beeps into a riddle.

    http://cartalk.com/content/puzzler/transcripts/199801/answer.html
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    So then Acura would be dit-dah.

    -juice
  • sabrina9sabrina9 Member Posts: 148
    Mine did
    beep beep beep
    beeeep beeeep beeeep
    beep beep beep

    just before I dove out. I wish I had your chart handy at that time (LOL)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My dad had one of those talking cars, a Mercury Cougar. '86 I think. That thing was so ridiculous.

    The door is ajar

    Who says is that way?

    The lights are on

    Duh, I meant for them to stay on.

    One of your cylinders is misfiring, you've lost compression, get a real car next time

    Too bad it couldn't say that last one!

    -juice
  • jimmytjimmyt Member Posts: 4
    I am considering buying a CRV in the next few months. I would like to know when the new models
    come out. Does anyone know when this will happen?
    JimmyT
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    Most likely, October or November.
  • bluemalibu2000bluemalibu2000 Member Posts: 25
    Does anyone know how long you should wait before waxing a new CR-V for the first time. Mine was built 1/04 and I bought it Feb 28. One time I thought they would say to wait at least six months on a new car, but am not sure whether that still applies.
  • inkieinkie Member Posts: 281
    You can go ahead and wax it at your convienience. I am sure you having a blue Malibu your familar with waxes... FWIW I get good results on Honda finishes with Zymol and 3M liquid Wax.
  • tomk17tomk17 Member Posts: 135
    I agree it's OK to wax the new car but I would not use a wax with a "cleaner". I used one of the liquid carnuba waxes. Don't use a product that says "cleans and polishes".
  • hondawannabehondawannabe Member Posts: 4
    Anticipating delivery of my new '04 EX 5 speed anyday now & need to make a decision on undercoating & rustproofing. I've been thinking that the undercoating could help cut down on the road noise associated with this vehicle & rustproofing might be advisable since I am currently living in the midwest, where road salt is an issue. My Honda dealer doesn't offer this service in house, but rather, refers this work to the local Ziebart dealer.
      I'm curious as to what other readers of this thread may have done with their CRV's in this regard......Thanks
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 264,504
    Every rustproofing job I've seen just introduces more holes into the car through which water can penetrate. I think it is virtually useless. Look at most cars ten years old or less.. It is hard to find rust, unless there is body work.

    Undercoating may decrease sound levels, if it is done properly, but I wouldn't bet on it. What it will do for sure is increase weight, and may compromise the ability of your exhaust system to dissipate heat if done incorrectly.

    regards,
    kyfdx

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Honda's using galvanized steel, so my only concerned would be panels that were damaged or scratched. Just touch them up or have them repainted promptly.

    -juice
  • tcasboytcasboy Member Posts: 214
    Sounds like the dealer is getting a kickback from the Ziebart dealer for referrals. I would pass. I've heard that adding the undercoating just adds more places for corrosion to start that the rustproofing can clog up holes that are there to let water drain out. Your new vehicle will come with a 7 or 10 year corrosion warranty, I wouldn't waste the money on those products. Just my humble opinion.

    Good luck.
  • jfigueroa1jfigueroa1 Member Posts: 209
    why is the intake manifold for the cr-v is plastic and the one for the element is steel?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They're also tuned differently.

    My guess is it has to do with where the engines are produced (as in what country) and the suppliers of parts for that country.

    -juice
  • northwest1northwest1 Member Posts: 65
    Anyone know if there is significance to a CRV serial number with an "X" in a position where you would normally find a number? I have checked several CRV VINs and they have a digit in the position that this one CRV has an "X".
  • sluglineslugline Member Posts: 391
    Every position in the VIN has some significance. Where exactly is the "X" showing up? If it's in the last six positions, that would be surprising to me, since that is supposed to the serial number for the model year.
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    Is it a 1999 model?

    Check here for an explanation of the VIN.

    varmint "Honda CR-V Owners: FAQ" Feb 11, 2004 1:04pm
  • sistarsistar Member Posts: 19
    99 CRV - Just did oil change and there is an inch extra on the dipstick. Is this a problem?
  • inkieinkie Member Posts: 281
    An inch over the full mark can cause problems. If it was my car and intend to keep it awhile I would open the drain plug and remove about a quart and check. But I personally have seen cars that were overfilled [not hondas] run for thousands of miles until the next change without any problems. So its up to you, if you don't feel comfortable take some oil out.
  • northwest1northwest1 Member Posts: 65
    Sorry folks...I should have just listed the VIN I was looking at

    JHLRD684X4C011889
    JHLRD68474C012191

    These are for 2004 CRV LX 2WD. The first on has the mysterious "X" in the 9th position.

    Thanks.
  • sistarsistar Member Posts: 19
    Is there one? Will the 02-04 side step fit 99?

    Thanks inkie, I re-changed oil.
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    Northwest - That is an internal code issued by the manufacturer. It's called the VIN check digit. That character (position #9 in the VIN) is used for internal tracking. I suppose Honda might have several uses for it, like tracking production batches, eliminating VIN forgeries, or for use with any number of administrative systems.

    Again, see this post for an explanation of the full VIN. =)

    varmint "Honda CR-V Owners: FAQ" Feb 11, 2004 1:04pm
  • northwest1northwest1 Member Posts: 65
    Thanks for the info. I did look at your link the other day...great research! I was concerned that the "X" might have signified a vehicle that failed QC inspection, needed rework or some other adverse thing. Or maybe one designated for post production road testing. My imagination can get carried away sometimes! Thanks again!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hmm, the Element concept was called Model X, right? Maybe it has an Element powertrain in there. ;-)

    -juice
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    Truth is, an "X" could mean anything. The "7" in the other VIN might mean it fell off the assembly line 7 times. Anyone got a Honda decoder ring?
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 264,504
    that 7 was the month.. like July.. so 'X' might be October or November.

    regards,
    kyfdx

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  • sabrina9sabrina9 Member Posts: 148
    Had my first o/c on the 04. I am still here, but on the ride home I was a little nervous...
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    Imagine the VIN in roman numerals!
  • sabrina9sabrina9 Member Posts: 148
    What, for chariots?

    VIN is partly Roman. It stands for 6N
  • kizhekizhe Member Posts: 242
    "Had my first o/c on the 04. I am still here, but on the ride home I was a little nervous... "
    Looks like Honda scared you to death :-).
    I did four o/changes (and 3 wheels rotations) myself and I am more than confident and happy with my Honda CR-V 03.
    This reminds me: several years ago I hit a deer, after that, for a while, I saw a deer behind every bush :-).
    Letter "X" means: car for generation X only :-).
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    The latest news includes rumors about the 2005 CR-V.

    There will be an SE model (no surprize) with painted bumpers, heated leather seats, and a painted, hard spare tire cover.

    EX models will get 16" rims, an outside temp gauge, and redundant radio controls.

    All CR-V models will get a new grille, revised headlights, integrated keyless entry, integrated headrests, larger brakes, side curtain airbags, ABS, VSA, and an "improved AWD system".

    There's also mention of a 5 speed automatic transmission.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 264,504
    Upgrade time!!

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  • mariacheriemariacherie Member Posts: 19
    I'd like your input on some of the following questions if you have owned your CR-V for at least 4 months or longer.

    1. Armrests...are there driver and passenger side armrests that are standard now? I test drove one that had armrests but wasn't sure if it was an upgrade.

    2. Locks...does the driver's door power lock unlock all doors or just the driver's side? Does keyless remote open all car doors including the tailgate or just driver?

    3. Has anyone tried storing the spare in the well under the picnic table? I'm wondering just in case I need to remove the spare from the back to get better rear visibility.

    4. Has anyone had any problems installing their own fog lights or step bar?

    5. For anyone who has added larger/wider tires, do you feel a significant change in body roll and wind noise? Also, is the CR-V pretty solid on the highway in high winds or with larger vehicles passing?

    6. Quality... has anyone noticed anything falling apart in the interior.

    7. Do you feel the A/C and heating is adequate overall?

    8. Ample interior lighting? Is there a glove compartment light?

    9. Any problems seeing the guages at night?

    10. EX owners...any problems with sunroof not closing completely or with water dripping from the moonroof upon opening after it rains.

    Also, besides complaints of wind noise are there any other common problems on this year's model? And what other things do you suggest I check for when doing the final road test? I've tested an '01 and '04 for comparison.

    Thanks for any help you can give.
  • kizhekizhe Member Posts: 242
    1. Armrests are standard.
    2. Lock works on every door: 1st click driver's door, second all of them including hatch. Special button for the hatch's glass.
    3. No, spare tire does not fit there.
    4. n/a. My fogs were installed at Honda.
    5. n/a.
    6. No.
    7. Yes.
    8. Yes. Yes.
    9. No problems.
    10. Never had/(heard of) such a problem.
    11. Wind noise not that bad. My Volvo S-70 (1999)
        - deemed to be a "near luxury car" - got worse wind noise.
    "And what other things do you suggest I check for when doing the final road test? "
    -make sure all four wheels are in place. :-)
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