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Honda Accord (2008-2012) Maintenance and Repair

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Messages Page 121 of 162

#1197 of 1608 Honda Accord questions by pastatie

Apr 23, 2010 (7:40 pm)

Having read all the posts on the rear brakes I am pretty much up to date. I have some questions ( I wish Honda would answer) but others might have some insight.
1. Why no distinction on the Accord models--no badging for the LX Ex etc. Are we all to be alike?
2. Look closely at your front rotors--Honda spent the money to paint black the area on the rotor closest to the center---now look at your rear rotors. Were they trying to save money on the rear rotors? Looks like crap behind those nice aluminum wheels when you clean them. Front looks a lot better. Why the difference?
3. Who told Honda to put 225/50/17 aspect tires on the EX models? Has anybody else noticed the rougher ride? Maybe 2010 models will go to 225/30 tires. 60 seemed fine on my 2004 Accord but this 2009 might be my last as the ride is not what I expected. Feels like I have a sport suspension.
4. I purchased an aftermarket grille guard to protect the air conditioner condenser from road debris for my 2004. Well the 2009 has the same grille you could throw a golf ball through and I can't find a reasonably priced grill guard on Ebay---chicken wire is out of the question. Couldn't Honda make the openings slightly smaller??
5. I have the EX automatic 4 cylinder which has more horsepower than my 73 Corvette. At night with the air conditioning on why am I able to feel the compressor kicking in and see the lights dimming slightly?
I have owned 76 Civic CVCCs, 1981, 1984, 1991, 2004 and now a 2009 Accord and frankly this car is not what I was used to. Just thought I would throw some things out there for discussion. Thanks.

#1198 of 1608 Re: Honda Accord questions [pastatie] by jmillerjmiller

Apr 25, 2010 (8:53 pm)

Replying to: pastatie (Apr 23, 2010 7:40 pm)
For the 2008 models - For me, all I need to do is see one or two exhaust tips (2008+) to tell if four or six cylinder, and all sixes are EX or higher (the six also has chrome door handles). The very base LX four has no chrome tip on the single exhaust and has wheel covers. All fours have body color door handles..
 
Never noticed the about painting the rotor hubs - but I have to admit to not spending much time manually cleaning anymore.
 
The bigger tires are a trend, how else to make a beached whale handle? Yeah, sporty, a bit harsh, and more vulnerable to potholes.
 
Could probably use a condenser protector myself, considering the big rock that bounced off the windshield today. Oh well, they might sell me a $350 rock collector at some point.
 
There is a whole forum of complaints about the four cylinders and the flickering (dimming) headlights. Basically to save a tiny bit of fuel economy, there are two output levels on the alternator, and the computer seems to wait until the AC is dragging it down before changing modes on the alternator. Some people even said it was so bad that other drivers thought they were flashing them. Luckily the six doesn't do this - instead it has the VCM growls and vibes. Most cars have some dimming when the AC clutches in, but I guess the addition of the second charging level made it worse. Only car I owned where I couldn't feel or hear the AC clutch in and out was a BMW 323Ci (in-line six).
 
The headlights on my 2008 V6 were so wimpy, a flashlight would be as good. I had to buy Phillips Extreme bulbs (DOT approved, street legal - no weird coloring) for the low beams which made a significant difference over stock.

#1199 of 1608 Re: Honda Accord questions [pastatie] by rcummelin

Apr 28, 2010 (5:38 am)

Replying to: pastatie (Apr 23, 2010 7:40 pm)
1. Why no distinction on the Accord models--no badging for the LX Ex etc. Are we all to be alike?
 
IMHO, just another Honda cost-cutting measure. For some odd reason, Toyota hasn't done this yet, which is strange since they all drink the same cost-cutting kool-aid.
 
2. Look closely at your front rotors--Honda spent the money to paint black the area on the rotor closest to the center---now look at your rear rotors. Were they trying to save money on the rear rotors? Looks like crap behind those nice aluminum wheels when you clean them. Front looks a lot better. Why the difference?
 
Our 2010 EX-L V6 has the center area of all 4 rotors painted black, but they don't match. The front rotors are a glossy black, and the rear rotors are flat black. BTW- I had to use a flashlight to confirm this, as I couldn't even see the rotor centers without using one. They could have been pink or purple and I would never have noticed.
 
3. Who told Honda to put 225/50/17 aspect tires on the EX models? Has anybody else noticed the rougher ride? Maybe 2010 models will go to 225/30 tires. 60 seemed fine on my 2004 Accord but this 2009 might be my last as the ride is not what I expected. Feels like I have a sport suspension.
 
Personally, I like the firm ride and improved handling of our Accord compared to my neighbor's new Camry. It's one of the main reasons we bought the Accord. If the Accord handled and rode like the Camry, we wouldn't have bought it. You would have likely noticed the ride & handling differences had you taken a long test drive in the car before buying it, as it is quite noticeable. It's actually surprising to find such a sport-type suspension in a family sedan. Usually you have to pay extra for a sport suspension and we got it for free. Cool!
   
4. I purchased an aftermarket grille guard to protect the air conditioner condenser from road debris for my 2004. Well the 2009 has the same grille you could throw a golf ball through and I can't find a reasonably priced grill guard on Ebay---chicken wire is out of the question. Couldn't Honda make the openings slightly smaller??
 
This problem pretty much exists across the entire Honda product line. Having owned two Odysseys and now a Ridgeline in addition to our Accord, all of these vehicles need a lower grille with smaller holes.
 
Anyway, if you care to spend a bit more time on your computer, visit some Odyssey and/or Ridgeline forums and search them for possible solutions. I know Odyssey owners were VERY fond of using gutter leaf guard material (for houses) which is available at Lowes or Home Depot. The stuff is dirt cheap and is easily cut to size. Most folks seem to buy black leaf guard and attach it behind the existing grille with black tie-wraps. In some cases, bumper removal may be required, which adds a huge amount of extra labor to what should have been a simple job. Good luck with that.

#1200 of 1608 2009 Honda Accord power steering/HEPA filter problems by dj9

Jul 13, 2010 (2:13 pm)

I took my 2009 Honda Accord in for an oil change at 14,500 miles and they told me that the power steering fluid is contaminated and needs to be changed out ($169). They also said the cabin/HEPA micro filter is dirty and to replace it would be $120. Is this normal for only being at 14,500 miles? I live in Los Angeles. Thanks!

#1201 of 1608 Re: 2009 Honda Accord power steering/HEPA filter problems [dj9] by rbbrick

Jul 13, 2010 (2:40 pm)

Replying to: dj9 (Jul 13, 2010 2:13 pm)
1. Power steering fluid contaminated = highly unlikely at this mileage maybe 100K
2. Cabin filter costs <$20 at auto parts store and takes 5 mins to replace. Open glove box and swing it down you will see the filter location there - read the manual for further insight. Roger

#1202 of 1608 Re: 2009 Honda Accord power steering/HEPA filter problems [dj9] by tallman1

Jul 13, 2010 (3:04 pm)

Replying to: dj9 (Jul 13, 2010 2:13 pm)
Was this at a Honda dealer? That's outrageous. The cabin filter should be changed every 30k miles and as the other poster said, it is inexpensive and easy to do yourself. I'm not sure that the changing instructions are still in the manual but you can find them easy enough online.

#1203 of 1608 Re: 2009 Honda Accord power steering/HEPA filter problems [dj9] by pgm17

Jul 13, 2010 (3:11 pm)

Replying to: dj9 (Jul 13, 2010 2:13 pm)
you guys beat me to a reply...
i saw this on the way home on the blackberry and couldn't believe the quote of $120 for a cabin air filter change, what a markup...
unless it includes some type of air refresher service (still unneeded)
 
as far as power steering fluid contamination, i have never even heard of this.
how would they tell, isnt the fluid in the resevoir only the visible fluid.
isn't this a sealed system not prone to contamination unless there is a leak or something?
 
i would say find a reputable dealer (i know, what an oxymoron) or independent mechanic for second opinion.

#1204 of 1608 New Brake Pads - Akebono by pgm17

Jul 13, 2010 (3:14 pm)

Just replaced the stock pads with Akebono pads all around.
Ceramic formulation seems to really dust less.
Any one else try these out?

#1205 of 1608 Re: 2009 Honda Accord power steering/HEPA filter problems [dj9] by elroy5

Jul 13, 2010 (3:39 pm)

Replying to: dj9 (Jul 13, 2010 2:13 pm)
If you could do the power steering fluid, and the cabin filter yourself, it would cost less than $40. If you have to depend on someone else, you have to pay up. That's life. My owner's manual says the cabin filter should last 30k miles, but I change mine way more often. How quickly the filter gets dirty depends how much dust, pollen, and rain you get in your area. I would suck as much power steering fluid out of the reservoir, as I could (turkey baster), and replace that. Should be good enough. Personally, I only use Honda fluids, even though they never see my car in the service department.

#1206 of 1608 Re: Accord Coupe Brakes [schnellesauto] by bigbutr

Jul 13, 2010 (5:37 pm)

Replying to: schnellesauto (Apr 13, 2010 7:59 am)
I've got a little over 26000 on my 08 Accord LX-P. I recently received a packet in the mail about the class action suit regarding the brakes, but that was for reimbursement if you paid to have them replaced. Can I just go to my local dealer and ask about the TSB to have the rear ones replaced at no cost? I've only got six months left on my lease and hate the thought of dropping a few bills on something that should have easily lasted the length of my lease.

Messages Page 121 of 162

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