Older Honda Accords

hmurphy · February 2004

I had the same problem here in Chicago. It was revealed in a rather embarassing way, when I went to get an Egg McMuffin from the drive-thru and had to step out of the car at each point (I couldn't get out of the drive-thru lane). I think it kind of freaked out the drive-thru people, who may have been momentarily afraid that I was a crazed customer.

Anyway, it's warmer now, the windows roll down properly, and I've weaned myself off the McMuffin.

rcc8179 · February 2004

Regarding the gas mileage on the navigation unit, it was posted a while back that the trip odometer (and presumably gas mileage) on the navigation unit is not entirely accurate. The distance traveled is computed by the GPS system, not the vehicle speed sensor that controls the speedometer/odometer in the instrument cluster. It is good for an approximation, but you will get more accurate results calculating by hand (miles traveled divided by gallons at fillup).

I too noticed the windows have a tendancy to freeze in the winter (I'm in Indianapolis). Maybe I am simply used to manual windows (my '03 is my first car with power windows), but they seem to freeze all the time in the winter. I noticed it the first time at the airport a month after I bought the car--I had to get out of the car to grab the parking lot entrance ticket. If I know I am going to need to use the windows (driving on Chicago's tollways, for example), I point the left vent toward the driver's window and turn the fan up for a while.

apbangi · February 2004

Driving a 2003 Accord LX with manual transmission is not fun for me because of the very exacting (and stressful) clutch release operation. You release it too far (even just a little bit) as you press on the gas and you'll get a not-so-smooth (thugged hesitation?) acceleration. I change shoes with different sole heights or thickness once or so a week and this affects my clutch release. Of course, I adjust my clutch release accordingly, but with this crappy Honda clutch mechanism, I still get that thugged (like it chokes) accelaration once in a while. I have been driving stick for over 13 years now, and thinks that the Honda clutch is the most difficult to handle.

I'm thinking of switching to an automatic.

Frustrated, ramida

mikeysoft · February 2004

I have a 03 Accord EX with manual transmission and have no problems.

anonymousposts · February 2004

I had a 2003 EX-L 5-speed and as usual, it was a very slick-shifting car, as most Hondas are. Maybe you shouldtake it to the dealer to see if it needs adjustment.

lelandhendrix · February 2004

apbangi -- It does sound like you could stand to have your clutch examined. How many miles have you put on the car now?

The automotive press (and I) have been singing the praises of Honda 5-speeds since the late 80's.

bamacar · February 2004

I drove a number of competitors to the Accord when I got my manual. None of the others came close to being as easy and smooth. Get it checked. What other manual transmission cars have you driven over the years?

austinman7 · February 2004

lelandhendrix -- I, too, have about a 10-15 minute commute, hardly time for the windows to thaw out. Sounds like freezing is the problem. If so, I guess that's just mother nature's little calling card. Don't recall this happening so much on previous cars, but that may just be faulty memory.

Thanks for the several responses that tell me my experience is somewhat common.

dudleyr · February 2004

Don't have an Accord but my Integra clutch is very smooth. I had a Corolla with a very abrupt clutch.

I would get it looked at.

scottdude · February 2004

I'm one of those few people who actually prefers cloth seats to leather. Since it looks like I can't get XM radio without leather on an EX, does anyone know of an easy to install after market XM radio option? How about auto climate control... can that be added later also?

jmess · February 2004

I changed the oil in the Wife's 03 EX 4 banger this week. I was in a hurry so I stopped by the local Honda dealer in Beaverton OR for an oil filter. It was a tough call because this dealer has proven to be the king of sleaze over the last 20 years I have been around. This trend was reinforced last year when they tried real hard to cheat us on a car deal. So after giving up on the sale department for at least 20 years, I thought we could still use the service department.

Not so, on my first visit in 10 year to the service department, I catch the service writer lying to me about the problem I had with my old Civic. She even smiled at me while she lied to me. During checkout, I discovered the bogus fee they automatically add in to every bill, yours and mine. They figure very few people besides me are going to dispute paying $4.00 for something they didn't do. How many people really read their bill and question things that don't look right? You sort of have to know what is right to begin with, if you don't bingo they got your $4.00.

So after two experiences where I witness unethical behavior you think I would have learned my lesson. Not so again. I foolishly wander into the parts department expecting to pay Honda's suggested retail price for an oil filter. I remember sort of laughing at the out the door price of $8.18 (no sales tax in Oregon). I had purchased an oil filter for my Lexus last week for $5.90. How can the list price for a Lexus oil filter be so much cheaper than a Honda filter? Something isn't right with the world?

So tonight I checkout some of the online Honda factory parts places. I see that the Honda suggested retail price for the oil filter is $6.29 with an online price of $5.03. It is apparent that Big Bob Inc isn't happy with the profit margins on Honda parts so this being a free country, he jacks up the price over list. How many people beside me are going to notice anyway?

So if you live in PDX land the moral of the story is don't buy Bob's cars, don't get serviced by Bob, and don't buy parts from Bob.

Another side note, the new longer service intervals for cars like the new Accord has the potential to cut in to the Honda parts and service business over time. I would imagine that some dealers will come up with some creative ways to get a few more bucks from you to make up the difference. Charge $2 more here and $4 extra for something they didn't do there. Who beside me will notice anyway?

gregoryc1 · February 2004

If the windows are frozen, and they cannot open because of the weather, just think of the temperature of the engine block and transmission case. Another GOOD reason to let the vehicle warm up in your driveway on these cold mornings. Automatic Transmissions do not operate efficiently when the fluid is cold.

talon95 · February 2004

That's quite the stretch. One thing has absolutely nothing to do with the other. This is a BAD suggestion, for all the reasons stated before. All the pros and cons have already been presented and debated. Let's not revive yet another off-topic discussion that has already been thoroughly beaten into the ground.

gregoryc1 · February 2004

Frozen windows are directly related to the interior temperature of the vehicle. QUESTION: ---How is this "off topic"? If the interior of the vehicle is "warm", the windows will not be frozen. Seems to be a basic scientific principle.

talon95 · February 2004

Yes, it is a basic scientific principle. And common sense. I'm confident that just about all members are aware of several ways to warm up your car's interior, many of which do not involve letting your car idle in the driveway. So why do you have to use this topic as a springboard to another endorsement of one of your pet crusades?

The off-topic part is not the "warming of the interior" suggestion... it's the blatantly transparent segue to the totally irrelevant transmission comment, which has nothing to do with frozen windows, but everything to do with providing a convenient excuse to bring this suggestion up yet again.

gregoryc1 · February 2004

I have been reading an after market Honda Manual dealing with placing snow tires on Honda Vehicles. They recommend placing FOUR snow tires on Hondas to maintain control on snow covered roads. They also recommend having these tires mounted on their own rims. That could be "very expensive" if your vehicle has factory aluminum wheels, and you as the owner, want to keep the "factory look"! QUESTION: ----Does anyone have any first hand experience in this area?

gregoryc1 · February 2004

I AM NOT trying to introduce anything into this board. Some people are having trouble with frozen power windows in VERY COLD climates. I am only trying to help these people. If they have access to a heated garage, they could keep their vehicle in that garage, and get the same results. Heat is the answer to the problem, and that heat must come from some source. If they could some how rig a very small electric space heater that was safe, this could possibly keep the vehicle warm enough to prevent this problem. If they try to operate the power windows in a frozen state, they will put extra strain on the power window assembly. Then at a later date, they will complain about a defect in that assembly, forgetting about the abuse in the past winter months. One thing I WOULD NOT DO is pour hot water on the windows.

mitchflorida · February 2004

You should always warm up your car a good 10 minutes before driving it in the morning. All other times, you should warm it up at least 7 minutes.

That should be obvious, and is what my father taught me over 25 years ago!

lelandhendrix · February 2004

My windows stick because of precipitation falling on the car and freezing between the glass and the rubber surrounds.

Since precipitation does not fall into my engine and transmission, and doesn't cause the parts to stick together, I don't see any relation to the two.

If you're going to start the engine anyway without a block heater, it's going to be running cold for longer if it sits there idling than if it is driven gently away.

talon95 · February 2004

I'm not sure if you're joking or not, but all I'll say is that many things that made sense given the state of automotive technology 25 years ago no longer make sense given the state of automotive technology today.

pat · February 2004

Folks, we have beaten this to death previously - if anyone is interested in the previous debate about idling in order to warm up a vehicle, I'm sure you can read all about it by using the Search This Discussion feature on the page bar.

Also, there are a couple of you who would be a lot less likely to develop a stomach ulcer if you would just skip each other's posts. There is no reason to get personal when you don't like what someone has to say.

Let's move on, please.

robr2 · February 2004

I use 4 snows on a Honda vehicle mounted on dedicated rims. The winter rims are steel and were reasonably cheap (appx $40/eac). The purpose of dedicated rims is to avoid the need/cost to mount/dismount tires twice per year and to protect the alloy summer rims from winter muck. Further, constant mounting/dismounting of tires can cause damage to both the rims and tires.

As for looks - I can deal with plain rims or hubcaps for 4-5 months. The vehicle isn't exactly squeaky clean for that time.

nw1997 · February 2004

Hi Folks,

Has anyone tinted there windows in lieu of installing the auto-dimming rear view mirror? Are there pros and cons of either? I have read that with the auto dimming mirror it must be activated every time. We have an 04 Accord.

Thanks

pj23 · February 2004

At least with the auto-dim mirror in the '03s, it does not need to be activated every time the car is started. I know there was a change in the mirror for the '04, but I can't see that they would've changed that part of the operation.

htt · February 2004

I have tinted glass on my '04 Accord and I think auto-dim mirror is not neccesary at all. The compass feature may be nice to have though. But I have navigation system ...

talon95 · February 2004

Personally, I love my auto-dim mirror... but then I don't like tinted windows.

snarks · February 2004

If you want to maintain the "factory look" you buy a second set of rims. I highly recommend against alloys and winter as they are never as strong as steel wheels and eventually go out of round or get damaged especially during winter months. One way of maintaining look is buying take off wheels, basically an owner wanted to "upgrade" and places allow for tradein on essentially brand new tires/rims. There is a website that has all info you need: use google and search on "snow tires" and look at advertiser links (top one).

Lastly another way around I currently use is "all-year round" Winter tires. Nokia has tires called the WR basically focused on winter traction but can run year round. They are not quite as crisp if you push a vehicle in corners but normal driving you don't notice any difference. They have superior snow traction, are quiet, excellent in rain and the best part can be left on year round without worries of premature wear due to higher temps. I personally use them and many in my local New England area do.

I hope this gives you some insight.

sockpuppet1969 · February 2004

Did tinting your windows affect your reception on the navigation system? How about AM and FM radio reception? Did you use metallic or non-metallic tint?

htt · February 2004

I had tinted windows from day 1 (the dealer did that) so that I don't know how the navigation would be without the tinted windows. But I think it's working fine. I haven't noticed any problem. The 'gps' is green most of the time when my car is not blocked by a building, trees or something like that. The dealer said they used metallic tint and it looked metallic to me. I have owned the car for only 2-3 weeks and haven't used it that much. The XM radio is very good as expected and I've been listened to it most of the time. I think you just reminded me about the radio. I remembered that one time I listened to a FM channel and the reception was very good. But when I switched to another channel I heard lot of static. These are the two channels that I've been listened to most of the time in my other cars. I need to check that out tonight. I haven't used the AM yet.

dust90 · February 2004

The window tint is applied to the inside of the windows so would not interfere with reception.
Talon - I agree with you 100%, but you may as well give up trying to debate with certain posters - they don't get it, never will, and they probably enjoy it!

htt · February 2004

I agree that the tint is applied inside so that would not interfere with radio signals. Actually I believe the tint can't block the radio signals even if it's applied outside. What worry me is that if the person who put the tint on my windows didn't do a good job. He might scratch the antenna and made part of the antenna disconnected from the rest of it. That may cause some problems if I'm far away from the radio station.

The gps is different. The satellite is many thousand feet above the ground and right at the equator. If someone happens to live all the way up north, in bad weather and has dark metallic tint, that person may have trouble receiving satellite signal from time to time.

rueshan · February 2004

I had my tint applied by a company called Formula One... used their best tint, a new metallic variety that was just released. I used my XM, Nav system and AM/FM radio extensively for 3 months before the tint was applied. I have not noticed any difference in performance or reception over the last 2 months. The car is also much cooler when it sits in the sun all day. I highly recommend a good quality tint job... it makes a huge difference. My tint was the lightest they offered, but it does the job very well.

sockpuppet1969 · February 2004

Thanks for all the replies about window tint. I have a 2003 Accord with navi. I know the xm radio receiver on the 04's is on the roof. Is the navigation receiver on the '04's the same roof-top unit or is that located elsewhere as in the 03's? (Where is the satellite receiver for the navigation system in the 03's anyway?)

I really want to get window tint but I don't want it to screw with my navigation/radio reception. I listen to a lot of AM radio.

I also plan to buy an aftermarket XM receiver in the near future (three cheers for tax refunds!). Sure wish I had known about the built in XM when I bought my '03. BTW - can you see the artist/song/station at the same time you view the navigation map on the '04's?

Thanks!

richards38 · February 2004

You're getting a refund because you overpaid tax due for 2003, and you're just getting your own money back. There are no gifts from the IRS.

I'm still in the 90 day trial for the XM and notice that the LCD screen on my 2.4 Accord EX-L AT sedan (no nav) shows what show a song is from on #28, the Broadway musical channel, which is what I usually hear.

It doesn't name the tune unless there is a way to get that info by pushing buttons which I haven't tried yet--still must keep my eyes on the road!

Sometimes the screen shows the singer when several songs from different shows are performed by one vocalist. Perhaps there are several ways the LCD shows information depending on the source........Richard

sockpuppet1969 · February 2004

for unsolicited tax lesson. I would rather get some money back at tax time than pay. Congratulations if you were able to have the exact amount of your taxes taken from your pay.

I was wondering if Accords with both XM and nav allow you to see XM info at the same time you are viewing the navigation map. I guess I am trying to find a benefit to getting an aftermarket XM receiver instead of the factory one included on some '04 models. Sour grapes I guess. I plan on installing a Delphi receiver in the cubby space at the bottom of the center stack. This way I can cover it when I park the car. I will also be able to see song info at the same time as I am using the navigation system.

dust90 · February 2004

The button in the upper right-hand corner(labeled "info"), will cycle through channel name, artist, name of song and I believe the catagory of xm that you are listening to. Enjoy!

richards38 · February 2004

Thanks for the info on XM which I'll probably sign up for. It really is far better than AM/FM. I drive very little but will consider an XM radio for my home stereo unit, too.

On a 500 mile (each way) drive I took last December, the XM radio really made the 8.5 hour trips more enjoyable (as if anything could improve the Accord's superb performance)....Richard

richards38 · February 2004

Don't feel too bad about not having a built-in XM radio. If you buy a Delphi after-market XM, you can also buy a boom box adapter and/or adapter for a home stereo so you can use the same XM radio in the car and elsewhere--the Delphi unit is portable. You'd pay only one $10 monthly fee.

I have the built-in, Honda Accord unit which is great, but I'll have to spend another $7 per month for a second radio if I want XM at home......Richard

lelandhendrix · February 2004

The gps satelliteS (many more than one) are located all over the place and they can also move sligtly. The gps reciever triangulates your position by getting signals from multiple sources and comparing signal strength and timings to find its location and elevation.

So don't be worried about being away from the equator

kevitra · February 2004

You can now prepay for XM and make it cheaper. If you pay for 2 years it ends up being $8/month.

I have an aftermarket Delphi Roady in my car and I love. It is very easy to take out of my car and bring into work, my wife's car, etc.

htt · February 2004

I remember somewhere in the manual says the satellite receiver is right below the rear window.

rueshan · February 2004

When the nav screen is showing a map or giving directions, the XM information switches to the small display at the top of the center stack on the dashboard. It displays the name of the song and the artist as the song begins. It's also very easy to switch from the full screen nav display to the full screen XM radio display while using the nav system... it does not interfere with the navigation functions.

By the way, fellow Honda Accord navigation users, keep an eye on your dashboard joysticks! Mine managed to come off of the dash and hide somewhere in the car.... my Honda dealer tells me that they have already had to order quite a few of these joysticks to replace on other Accord's with Nav... be careful!

ken972 · February 2004

Ok, without getting into a discussion on the wisdom of getting an extended warranty..I have a question. My selling dealer apparently sells very few honda care extended warranties instead they sell mostly Portfolio brand warranties. Has anyone purchased a warranty other then the honda care warranty? I think id feel better with honda care then portfolio. At time of purchase it wasnt made clear which warranty I was purchasing..I just assumed it was a honda one.

ramped · February 2004

Go with the Honda Care. Why take a chance?

gregoryc1 · February 2004

Go with the Honda Warranty. You can use it at any Honda Dealer! -----Greg

snarks · February 2004

Go with Honda Care. The likely reason they sell more of the other is higher profit margin for them hence they push it. Aftermarket warranties have this nasty habit of having the underwriting company go out of business, leaving you dangling in the wind with a useless warranty document.

If Honda goes out of business the US economy and world economy has larger problems.

ken972 · February 2004

Thanks for all of your input..in the process of swapping over to honda care now. Thats one thing I wasnt aware of to look out for when buying a car..just assumed the only warranty dealers sold was the manufacturers.

slawenda · February 2004

Does anyone know if it is still possible to purchase the Honda Care warrantly online (and thus cheaper)? I can't seem to find it online.

If it is available online, then perhaps you can negotiate the price with the dealer much easier. Otherwise, it might be more difficult.

Lastly--does anyone know if the extended Honda Care warranty covers the navigation system? It seems to me that the navigation system, being essentially a computer, is thus very fragile to malfunction at some point, especially even after 36,000 miles! And I am sure that the dealer would charge a nice fee to fix it if it wasn't covered under warranty!

If the extended warranty covers the navigation system, then for me that might make the case to actually purchase the extended warranty.

ken972 · February 2004

www.curryhondacare.com Can purchase from this site and it also explains what the warranty covers.

scottdude · March 2004

I just noticed that in the Honda manual it says that the 6 CD changer cannot play CD-R or CD-RW discs. Huh? I burn these all the time in my computer and play them on all kinds of CD players with no problems. Why wouldn't the Honda CD unit play them? Thought I'd ask here first before trying to play one on my own.

Older Honda Accords

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