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Comments
My uncle has a 00 LS400 which came with Dunlop SP Sport 4000s as OEM. his car sits numerous times in his garage for as long as 2 months and that car with it's 4,000 lb. weight hasn't had flat spotting. I'm sure flat spotting occurs, but it's rare and probably more dependant on the weight of the car.
Can you elaborate on this? What do you mean by a dampener?
Yeah, it does sound almost like the exhaust banging on something.
Thanks for your help.
blane,
I did check the tire and jack. It seemed properly fastened. Will check again.
The MXV leaks air at much slower rate, if at all, wears evenly, runs smoothly and quietly and lasts me about 85K miles.
The Potanzas had a lot of problems (opposites of MXV) and had to be replaced at about 25K.
I bought and used many tire brands, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Firestone, Goodyear, Nitto, Riken, Michelin...Michelin is the only brand that gave me the least problems, and the longest life, with minimum care.
<<<<Out of all those tires Bridgestone has, the tire that was on the Ford Explorer's was the only one that was a bad design. It's kinda ridiculous to write-off every Bridgestone/FIrestone tire because of that. >>>>
Huh....DIdn't I point out the Ford Explorer??
Big deal. One tire out of how many?
My MXV4s(205/60VR-16) lasted 45K miles. WHich I consider to be pretty good mileage. At current rate, I see my stinky Turanza EL41's lasting about the same.
~alpha
Not the end of the world.
Summary:
ON CERTAIN SEDANS, A TEAR IN THE FABRIC OF THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG OCCURRED AFTER APPARENT CONTACT WITH THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE AIR BAG COVER DURING DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence:
A TORN AIR BAG MAY NOT OFFER THE SAME LEVEL OF PROTECTION, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE FABRIC FLAP BETWEEN THE AIR BAG MODULE COVER AND THE INNER MODULE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
...................Richard
An August 4 news item posted at ConsumerAffairs.com headlined "Feds probe Honda airbag failure" says:
"Honda is facing a federal safety investigation after the driver's airbag failed during two crash tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began the inquiry last week after airbags failed during unrelated tests. The agency was testing the damage caused when light trucks crashed into cars from the side. During the side impact test, the Accord airbag failed.
"Investigators said the bag had a large tear in its fabric and did not fully inflate. NHTSA has opened an inquiry, which is the first step in the process that can lead to a full-scale recall."
Now -- three months later -- the current recall would appear to have resulted from that NHTSA test sequence back in August. I wouldn't characterize that as Honda finding the problem on its own.
Maybe I'm missing some information from this scenario. If so, please fill me in.
Example: litesp2000 "Honda Accord Owners: Problems & Solutions" Nov 24, 2004 4:22am
Even JD Powers results having indicated levels more typical rather than high for the Honda line.
Sadly, when these things happen to owners of those other companies in a car they purchase, people tell them how awful those companies are and ask why did you buy another one... here we're experiencing spin control.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
In back to back test drives of the 4-cylinder and V-6 Accords, I found that the 4-cylinder Accord did indeed have enough power. In particular, I didn’t find that the V6 had enough extra torque to justify the $3,300 premium in price.
Having now had the opportunity to drive the 4-cylinder on my daily commute, I think it was an oversight on my part to only pay attention to the engine’s comparative power. The 4-cylinder Accord has a noticeable low-frequency vibration, or shake, just above idle which is characteristic of 4-cylinder engines. I didn’t notice that during my brief test drives. It’s often cited how smooth this engine is and I find that’s true – above 2,000rpm. At low rpm, especially under load, this engine is clearly not as smooth or as quiet as the V-6. That said, I’d still probably choose the 4-cylinder again but with less expectation that it wouldn’t “feel” like a 4-cylinder engine because it does.
If turbine-like smoothness at ALL rpm's is a priority, and cost is less of any issue, then I’d be inclined to recommend the V-6 to others. This is especially true given the V-6’s small penalty in fuel-efficiency compared to the inline-4. Just my opinion.
It just seems that what is accepted as "normal" in other makes bacomes a crisis if it's a Honda.
I guess that's to be expected.
You "heard" the airbag problem was a product update and not a recall?
If you follow this thread, which you appear to do, how could you have overlooked post #16197 just two days ago, in which sapparo has kindly given us the Reuters news service item about Honda recalling Accords for the airbag problem? Is there any ambiguity in the news story? I see "recall" twice, and no "product updates." If you don't follow this thread very closely, then I suppose it makes sense that you were just "hearing" about it, but the factual news has been out there for all to see for several days now.
It just doesn't add up -- you work at a dealership and follow this thread, but were apparently very misinformed about the airbag recall. Odd.
The V6 Accord is smoother than the 4, but so what? Except at low idle, any vibration is minimal and the Accord's 4 is VERY smooth--and quick, too.
I bought the '04 EX-L 4 without test driving the V6 because the 4 was fast enough for me.
After driving a V6 a few weeks ago, I have no regrets at all.....Richard
as good as the accord's i4 is i don't think i could ever give up the accord's all around wonderful v6. it's a pleasure to drive day in and day out.
I also notice a difference at low rpms, but mainly at idle when the AC is on, sitting at a light, when you get a little vibration that I didn't get with a 6. I really don't notice anything when accelerating.
I think I especially notice the power difference in the mid-range -- moving from 45 mph to 75, say. However, the 4 gets the job done, just with more effort. I do drive a lot by myself, so a loaded (4 passengers) 4 cyl. Accord with the AC on might be a different story. With just one passenger with me, I haven't noticed any real difference.
I will say it's by far the best combination of a 4 cyl. with an automatic I've ever driven. And part of my decision process was somewhat subjective, having to do with the Accord's heritage, which was only a 4 cyl. car for so long, years after the Camry went to a 6. It just seems the 4 is what Accords are all about.
Having said all that, when I trade, it's likely to be for a 6, possibly the next generation Accord. I do like the smoothness and power surge you get with a 6, but have no serious second thoughts about getting the 4. I continue to marvel at how it cruises so easily at 70 or 80 mph, with a fair amount of cabin quietness. Plus I got 34 mpg on a recent trip that involved some fairly hilly interstates. Can't beat that.
Thanks.
Given the minor nature of this recall (requires that a protective flap be installed under the driver's airbag cover), I can't see waiting and then trying to find the car you want that also has a date of manufacture recent enough to avoid the recall.
My next question is: Could I buy the extended warranty after the purchase, say in a year from now, or do I have to buy it with the new car?
Thanks.
During my test drive of both Accords, I found that the 4-cylinder Accord DID have enough overall power and was actually as fast as the 3.5 liter V-6 I was coming from (mainly due to the excellent 5-speed automatic in the Accord). However, now that I've driven the car for a few weeks, some deficiencies with the 4-cylinder have become apparent.
In particular, having the air-conditioning on takes a large toll on idle smoothness as well as my car's ability to hold a gear on an uphill grade without needing a downshift. I expect that V-6 owners are far less likely to notice whether the A/C is on or off.
I'd be curious to hear from anyone who knows whether the V-6's air-conditioning has any greater cooling capacity (larger compressor?). If there were a difference, that alone would be enough to sway many buyers in hot climates.
As a side-note; in the case of the 1999-2003 Mitsubishi Galant, a team of their engineers disclosed in conversation that the A/C compressor was designed around the 4-cylinder and that the 3.0L V-6 version used the same part. At least it did in 1999 when Mitsubishi received a lot of complaints about inadequate interior cooling. I don't mean this to suggest that there is a similar issue with the 7th gen Accord - I'm sure we'd have heard about it on these boards if there were.
Thanks.
Not sure why the size of the engine affects the airbag, but since 2 separate sources have said the same thing, I'd say it's legit.
Thanks.
I agree. Some of the model car I bought had earlier had Firestones, but later all were shipping with Michelins. If the car would have had Firestones, I would have requested a change.
Already had discussed it with the salesman.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,