Older Honda Accords

jrock65 · March 2004

That can't be right. Do any of you 2004 Accord owners out there have trouble playing your CD-R's in the Accord?

scottdude,

Have you tried playing a CD-R in your Accord yet? Is it a 2003 or a 2004? Would it make a difference?

lelandhendrix · March 2004

I have a 2003 LX sedan with the single-disc player, and have played about 100 different cdr's in it. That's pretty much all I play in mine, since I always make a separate copy to keep in the car. It has played every single one.

I've even played an RW in the car, and it played perfectly. My other car cd-players would play cd-r and not cd-rw, but this one has played everything I've thrown at it.

richards38 · March 2004

I copied an old, favorite CD to a CD-R on my iMac for use in the car and also created a CD from MIDI files that I first converted to MP3 sound files, then burned to a CD-R.

All play well in both my '04 Accord and on a Sony CD player at home.

Trust me, burn a CD-R that plays in a conventional CD player and it'll work just fine in your Honda Accord......Richard

whitecloud1 · March 2004

If you can put the disk into the player it will try to play it. If there is a malfunction, the disk will simply be kicked out. No harm done. You can then examine the disk for debris, try again or just remember that the partic. CD won't play in your machine. I've had some trouble with a single disk player in a '98 Accord. The car is such a good runner that I might replace the system one day. In an '03 Accord with the 6 disk changer, no problems yet.

jarles · March 2004

Hi-
I have a 2004 Accord EX V6 with black interior. What do people use to clean their interior? I used Armor All but was left with an interior shine that was too much for me, and greasy looking.
Do you need protectant at all for the dashboard, door panels, etc? With older cars, I know dashboards could crack if untreated. Is it still true for today's cars?
What about the leather?

Nothing too important, I know, but if there were some good tips out there I'd appreciate them.

Thanks.

jarles · March 2004

Hi-
I have a 2004 Accord EX V6 with black interior. What do people use to clean their interior? I used Armor All but was left with an interior shine that was too much for me, and greasy looking.
Do you need protectant at all for the dashboard, door panels, etc? With older cars, I know dashboards could crack if untreated. Is it still true for today's cars?
What about the leather?

Nothing too important, I know, but if are some good tips out there I'd appreciate them.

Thanks.

filod · March 2004

I use lexol products for cleaning and conditioning of the leather. Little pricey than what you are using, but it looks very good and does not give that shiny look (that in my opinion does not give a good look to the leather).

You can also go to the maintenance forum - store bought waxes, scroll as far back as one year and you can get a lot of info about cleaning your car - waxes, leather care etc.

maxpower02 · March 2004

you are putting an oil based product on your dashboard. Cooks in the sun. I agree with filod about the lexol, I use it on my 03EXV6 Sedan's gray leather. It looks and feels great. Get the cleaner and conditioner, you will need both of them. As far as a protectorant for the dash and door panels, I use 303 Aerospace protectorant-has a sun blocker and gives a dull matte finish to the dashboard and door panels. It's water based so it will not discolor. I even use it on my tires-will not turn the tires brown. You can get this stuff online or at your autostore. Hope this helps!

nw1997 · March 2004

jarles,

I have used a product by Meguires, its made from Aloe. It took me about 4 hours to complete the interior of my vehicle and weather stripping throughout, including the trunk, without yet doing the dash board, (dash probably about an hour of my time). It's water based and looks great. Leather will absorb what oils it needs and then repel the excess.

marcnyc · March 2004

Hi--I'm debating between silver and Desert Mist and would like your thoughts on the DM. I've read a few negative comments that it is too "gold" in color, but I don't see it--I see a really pretty beige color that almost has some silver mixed in. Thanks.

filod · March 2004

I have always liked beige colors. Every time I have a new car with this color, my kids always tell me that the color of my vehicle is gold. (Currently I have a beige Pathfinder!).

When I started to shop for the 03 Accord, the desert mist attracted me a lot, but since I have the PF in beige, I decided to look at the silver.

Guess what though, when I was about to buy the silver, the wife liked the graphite pearl! So that is what I bought..

When I see the desert mist and silver on the road, I still cant help but admire them. When my V6 graphite pearl is clean, hmmm very classy and wife is happy!

So go for what pleases you my friend. They all looked great..

bd21 · March 2004

Desert Mist is a great color for not showing dirt and scratches. It also will hold its true color longer than silver, but in the end it's all personal preference.

isellhondas · March 2004

It's funny. In my 99 Accord, they USUALLY play just fine. Later, the exact same CDR, can do strange things such as taking LONG pauses between songs. Sometimes, these pauses are so long I'm ready to give up but they always start eventually.

Nobody can seem to explain this??

lelandhendrix · March 2004

There are SO many factors to consider. Different disc brands behave differently, as they have different surfaces. The surface can also determine the disc's durability.

Another thing to consider is how the disc was burned... disc at once, track at once, etc. It also matters whether or not the session is 'closed'.

So far with my 03 I've had no issues whatsoever.

barryss · March 2004

I was originally going to buy my '04 in Desert Mist, but I did think it seemed a little too gold for my tastes when I actually saw it. I ended up with the new Deep Green Pearl which I love, but you do have to keep it clean.

I'd like to see something with more silver in it and lighter--more subtle. Also I prefer it when the interior color contrasts with the exterior. With DM you have a beige/gold exterior with a beige interior. I think it would be much improved with a black leather interior--or even a deep brown.

The Accord color combinations seem to be a bit on the plain jane side, but it's a minor gripe. If you like DM--go for it, the car looks good in any color (except maybe the '03 Noble Green).

Barry S.

jmaxe · March 2004

I'll second your statement on the Deep Green Pearl. I love mine; so much classier that previous Honda attempts at green. Came very close to getting it on an Acura TL but I got the EX V6 for almost $10k below my best price for a TL w/o Nav. Couldn't justify that big a difference.

richards38 · March 2004

I think the new Accord looks good in any color; however, the dark colors show the dust and dirt too much for me--there's no place to wash cars in my apartment garage.

Last car was white which was very easy to live with and my '04 silver Accord continues to look good after long periods between washes.

The interior color is really more important--that's what people will see most of the time in their own cars. I wanted a black interior so had to get silver. Not sorry about that, though. The only trouble with silver is that there are sooooooo many silver cars out there......Richard

justin · March 2004

i have had my 03 Desert Mist EX V6 since September. still happy i got that color. the dealer only had silver and DM. it came down to interiors for me. and i love black leather, but it comes with that awful fake aluminum stuff. the wood in the Accord is the best fake stuff i have seen - very Infiniti looking.

the DM looks GREAT with a light tint on the windows too

talon95 · March 2004

I get LOTS of compliments on the color of my Noble Green 2003. I think it's a great color.

blane · March 2004

I want my Desert Mist coupe to remain unique on the road. I don't like to see myself coming and going, such as those in silver.

isellhondas · March 2004

Desert Mist is, I think the most popular color next to silver.

berbel · March 2004

All subjectivity aside.......

I wanted the silver but unfortunately they're only
available with the heat absorbing, lint showing
black interiors (that comment will open a can of
worms).

Got the DM and had it accessorized with the optional birdseye maple trim and about $2000.00
worth of other accessories. It's a knockout compared to every other Accord I've seen on the
road. Just my two cents adjusted for inflation.

berbel

aggie1995 · March 2004

Funny thing about personal tastes. I thought the wood trim was the fakest looking and least appealing wood trim I have seen in any recent vehicle. Hence, the reason I chose the fake aluminum stuff.

To each his own. I'm Glad you like your car.

rcc8179 · March 2004

I bought a silver 2003 EX sedan about 1-1/2 years ago. I personally liked the aluminum look and the fact that all of the dashboard was black. I have driven ones with the tan and the gray interior, and I like the all-black dash best. Unfortunately, with the multitude of panels and materials, my dash is now about 4 shades of black, but that is for another discussion.

I don't know that the black interior is really that much hotter than my last car, a gold 1989 Accord. But I will definitely vouch for the the black seats being great lint brushes.

blane · March 2004

isellhondas:

Your comment in post #14039 may be true of sedans, but definitely not for coupes. At least in my part of the country.

nw1997 · March 2004

Just wanted to inform everyone on our 04 EX V6. Filled up with 89 Octane at MOBIL, no longer will utilize 87 octane. After about driving 45 miles with average speeds between 50-70 MPH our trip computer was telling us that we are getting 33.6 MPG. Funny, cause the vehicle has only 1,000 miles on the ODO. Can't wait to see what we get when we reach 10-12K miles, (true break in period). Honda, you make a great vehicle, comfortable, close to luxury as the high end models and excellent on fuel, especially since the gas prices are soon to rise again shortly.

htt · March 2004

My trip computer said I averaged 28.8 mpg in my last tank on my EX V6. I had less than 500 miles on my car so that I didn't push the car hard. It was 80% freeway 20% city. Due to road construction I usually got stuck in traffic for about 15-20 minutes everyday each way for only 3-4 miles before I could get on the freeway. But someone on this board said that the trip computer might not accurate. Next time I will compare the trip computer with my own calculation.

isellhondas · March 2004

Oh, I missed the part about it being a coupe. You are correct.

DM is not a hot color for coupes!

nw1997 · March 2004

htt,

Actually, the mileage reading we got was based on about 90% highway and 10% city (for about 5-10 miles city). Which is still better than what HONDA said the vehicle should be getting (30 MPG Highway). A true test will be when we fill up and do highway miles and can actually empty the tank and get a total on the ODO and divide it. For now I believe the reading from the computer is accurate. What I am doing is also re-setting the trip computer automatically every time we fill up.

ken972 · March 2004

Out of curiosity, why do you no longer use 87 octane gas? Are you getting better mileage out of the 89 octane?

justin · March 2004

My Accord got me my first ticket in almost 9 years! don't they understand that 25mph is not an option in this car???

pat · March 2004

Consumers' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2004 Survey is posted and ready for your input!

nw1997 · March 2004

Ken972,

Since we owned our vehicle, December 2003, we used 89 octane. We filled up with 89 octane for about 4 or 5 tank full. Then for curiosity I filled up with 87 octane from Mobil. We drove the vehicle normally 50-70 MPH, after exiting from the HWY and coming to a stop on several occasions there was a foul rotten odor coming into the vehicle from the exhaust. It made us want to vomit. From then I said I will never again utilize 87 octane, we now went back to 89 octane Mobil and then once in a while I will put in a tank of 93 octane. I did notice better engine idle, no foul odors and most important to us better MPG. For those who wish to switch, it may take a few tank fulls before you notice the difference from the 87 to the 89 or 93 octane.

ken972 · March 2004

nw1997, Thanks. Ive noticed the egg smell myself. Ill give the 89 octane a shot.

bd21 · March 2004

If you read these boards regularly, you should have read numerous posts citing documentation that clearly confirmed running premium gas in a car that is rated for regular is actually counter productive. Your engine by Honda specifications was designed to run most efficiently on regular gas, not premium. The reason your car smelled is you through your emissions out of optimum specifications running premium gas for several tanks and then you went back to the gas it was designed to run on for only one tank. Your computer did not have a chance to re sink the change. Premium gas will absolutely not improve performance or gas mileage in any car not specially designed to run on premium. Running premium can actually carbon up an engine, because the car's computer is optimized to run regular gas cleaner. Also, your trip computer is not as accurate as filling up the tank on level ground and recording the odometer mileage. It's your car and you can spend an extra 15 to 20 cents a gallon for no particular reason, but don't make the mistake of thinking that you are gaining performance or taking care of your car. You are simply adding to the operating cost, so you may as well add MM to you gas like Greg, so you can keep the carbon down.

nw1997 · March 2004

bd21,

I have read the many discussions that were posted in regards to MM oil and the Premium gas. First, 89 Octane is not the premium grade, 93 or higher is premium grade. I did not go to 89 octane in an effort to increase HP or performance. I did notice with the 89 Octane we got better MPG and the engine idled smoother. If what your stating is true, then why is it than when we placed 87 octane in my father's 03 CRV the most we get out of a tank is 250 miles, but after putting the Premium 93 octane he was getting 325 plus miles on a tank full. He did the same driving, same acceleration and same MPH. Same weather conditions, etc. Several dealerships that we went to in regards to our own testing and switching of gas grades did not have an answer. The tech. did however on the side told us that most manufacturers are putting 87 octane in as a sales pitch. Taking care of my car is exactly what I am doing, I am not a performance freak, but I like to have great pick-up and passing power on occasions. The regular gas usage is placed in all Toyota's and Honda's brochure. It's a marketing concept to sell their vehicles. 87 octane is recommended only.

lelandhendrix · March 2004

I recently took a 700 mi all highway (70mph+) road trip, and filled up thrice each way. My 03 Accord LX Sedan had 7K miles at that point.

I noticed that using 87 octane yielded up to 37.5 on one stretch. Later I tried filling up with 89 just to see if I noticed any difference on the highway, and it turned out to yield only 32.4 mpg--the worst of the whole trip!

It may be a fluke, but the numbers were true. Both numbers were developed over very flat midwestern highway in the winter.

lelandhendrix · March 2004

Oh, and on the wood, I guess it truly is a matter of preference.

IMO, the darker 'burlwood-look' trim looks horridly fake. However, I have the ivory interior in my LX, and the lighter birdseye-look has garnered many compliments and really dresses up the interior. The lighter and more textured-looking wood trim looks more like the choices that come in European cars than what comes in domestic autos.

I didn't use all the pieces, I left off the vent trim and the trim under the HVAC buttons. It looks very clean and not over-done, which I thought would be the effect with the unused pieces.

My last accessory will likely be the door switch trim in the same.

venus537 · March 2004

actually the v6 engine runs most efficiently on premium gas, but designed to work with regular gas with a slight loss in performance. the accord is said (by honda officials) to get an additional 10 hp using premium.

you're comments are right on for the i4 engine.

jrock65 · March 2004

Yeah, I read somewhere the same that venus537 is saying.

lelandhendrix · March 2004

I may be wrong, but here's my take.

From everything I can read, the V6 (like the 4) RECOMMENDS 87 regular unleaded... but some engineers have confessed (outside of official publications by Honda) that the v6 has a dual-stage knock sensor and can take a slight advantage of higher Octane. They also say that the 4 cannot take advantage, and I can attest to that being a 4-cyl owner.

emale · March 2004

btw, the accord v6 owner's manual basically just states to use gas with an octane 86 or higher.

kareshi · March 2004

I've tried premium on my 2003 I4 and it makes no difference, so I can confirm it's the same for I4. For the egg smell, I got it no matter which gas I used. I tried different brands and different grades. They all gave the same result. But after the car has reached a certain mileage (i forgot how much), I no longer smell it. It's either my nose, the gas, the car or the service people did something when I brought it to service.

scottdude · March 2004

Thanks for the input on CD-R's. The reason I asked is because the Accord quick start guide specifically says not to play CD-R's or CD-RW's, which I thought was odd. I was concerned about voiding the warranty or something if I played one.

anonymousposts · March 2004

I have accumulated 13,000 miles on my 04 Accord EX-L in 6 months and I think it is probably the one car I have owned that will actually be a keeper. The combination of performance, economy, niceties, reliability, and comfort are tough to beat.

bd21 · March 2004

Actually your Honda was designed to run on 86 octane, so with 87 octane you are all ready running a higher octane. The sulfur smell you are referring to comes from the fumes produced by the catalytic converter. Some cars are known for it like the Toyota Corolla. This smell is more predominant with winter fuel blends and with certain cars more so than others. The Accord and Civic aren't known for producing the sulfur smell widely. I have a pretty extensive mechanical background and I have been reading the Civic and Accord boards daily for years. Running premium gas if anything will produce worse gas mileage when run in a car that is not designed to take advantage of it. If your father's car got better gas mileage using premium then something is definetly wrong with the sensors or computer controlling the timing. I would recheck his mileage on a 60 mile drive using the same route and driver with both regular and premium to revalidate your figures. Remember to run a few tanks of each grade through of similar fuel with each test to get the computer in sink. The sulfur smell in many cars will usually disappear after break in or by simply changing fuel brands. Premium offers NO advantage whatsoever in a car not designed to take advantage of it. If a cars pings while accerating, a higher grade of fuel will usually stop it, but this is only masking anther problem that controls timing. Mid grade is less likely to cause you issues, but you are using a fuel that can not increase performance or MPG. It is simply adding to you operating cost. Personally, I would save the money.

motownusa · March 2004

I own a 2003 Camry LE V6 five speed automatic. My owner's manual says to use regular for 4 cylinder versions and premium for V6. I have been using premium since I bought the car. My car is rated at 210 Hp. Is that hp rating based on premium gas or regular? Am I gaining any power by using premium? Since I have never put regular gas in the tank, will switching to regular adversly effect the car's performance ? Premium gas in our area of the country is very close to two bucks a gallon, and I am seriously thinking about changing to regular grade gas. I realize this is a Honda forum, but since the topic is on regular vs premium I thought I might get an answer. My dealer told me not to switch to regular

isellhondas · March 2004

You may as well give up trying to convince some posters here that there is no benefit in using 89 or 93 octane in their Accords.

It's strictly a placebo effect, and if it makes them feel good spending extra money for nothing, let them do it. No harm will come from this.

I heard yesterday that gas may hit 3.00 or more before this summer. This may cause some of these people to reconsider the folly of what they are doing.

bnesti · March 2004

I have a 2004 EX-L(Navi) 4 cyl Accord sedan.

When in auto mode, is there a way to tell when the system is in cooling mode? I notice that when I change temps, the display shows temp and A/C and fan symbol.. Why would it say A/C when it clearly should be in the heating mode (ie, very cold outside)?

I have noticed something cycling on & off every now & then that pulls a relatively large load on the engine. It feels like the compressor coming on & off.... But, it has been about 30 deg F outside, and I have the auto climate ctrl set at about 67.... so, it shouldn't be the compressor going on & off....

Could this be the cooling fan (for radiator) that I am feeling? This is the only thing that I thought of that would cycle on and off.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Bryan

sockpuppet1969 · March 2004

It is the A/C compressor. You can go to the A/C control screen and turn the A/C to "off" if this bugs you. That is what I do unless I need the A/C on to keep the windshield clear. I don't fully understand why the automatic climate control uses the air conditioner so extensively when in heating mode.

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