Honda Forum

[jonny1975]

Hi FRV Folk,

Hi, i just picked up my new (used 55 plate, 25000 miles, FRV 2l SE) today from Peter Vardy Edinburgh - and although i love it, I’ve a few issues that hopefully you can help me resolve.

Gripe 1: Tyres & Terrible Judder (posted in another post earlier)

Today i enjoyed a decent length maiden drive (from Dealer in Edinburgh to Home in Glasgow). Anyway, i also noticed an extremely annoying continuous shudder through the steering wheel at speeds over 65mph. The last time i had such a sensation was when my old Citroen Xsara had ridiculously worn front tyres (almost dangerously worn). But given the fact that the 4 FRV tyres look practically new and the dealer claimed they had laser aligned the steering before my collection (i had mentioned a strange feeling when turning right during the test drive at lower speeds). So, i felt relieved to see the post by 'Eric' on 'tyre concern', and i am awaiting a call back from the dealer to discuss this. Significantly, i note that the 2 front tyres are Pirelli, while the 2 rear tyres are Michelin? Gut feeling makes me believe this is where my problem lies - can anyone offer any advice on what i should request/demand from the dealer? In case i am given a choice - what tyres are the best for the FRV: Michelin or Pirelli? I see this review from another forum post - http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyres_For/Honda/FR-V.htm


Gripe 2: Stereo / Radio works well, but it won’t pick up my one and only favourite radio station (bbc 5 live)

This is bizarre, but my FRV radio will not find BBC 5 live during a scan (it won’t stop at MW 909), this occurred the entire trip from Edinburgh to Glasgow (where i can always get an excellent reception in my other vehicles) !!! And when i manually tune to 909, i can hear a very faint / crackly noise which sounds like bbc five live jingles etc, but it is completely in-audible!!! I am furious, as i don’t need a CD Player, an Aux-out or any other radio station, just five live ! How do you think the dealer will fix this ???

 

Gripe 3: Driving position to the right (too far IMHO) & nowhere to rest my right elbow

Okay, I knew this before I bought the car, so I’m not really moaning about it (nothing anyone can do about this anyway). My question here relates more to the fact that I would usually rest my right elbow on either the door handle area (but its too low on the FRV) or I would rest my elbow at the base of the window sill (but it’s too high on the FRV)!!! And because the driving position is sooooo far to the right, I cannot get comfortable. Consequently, my right elbow is suspended in mid-air (do most people drive like this anyway ???). I have changed the steering wheel position and the position of the seats, but to no avail  I need a solution, which might involve the use of a ‘prop’ to help increase the height of the door handle area (almost like a 1’ length of 2” x 2” wood which is wrapped in aesthetically pleasing FRV Fabric material with an area of Velcro to allow it to stick to the upholstery in the door – meaning alternate size drivers could use it. (And no I’m not on drugs, this is a genuine discomfort).

Apart from these issues, I genuinely love the car and wouldn’t buy an alternative MPV (we’ve waited for months to find the right one at the right price).

Any thoughts on these issues would be most welcomed.

Many thanks.

Regards

[redvers]

The AUX isn't standard on the spec car you have; it might be that the aerial hasn't been fully reattached and has worked it's way loose since then? Can you pick up *any* AM radio stations? Or is it just Radio 5 that has issues? What about FM stations?

If you have a portable radio that picks up R5 no problem, take it in with you to show the dealer that it isn't just a temporary transmission issue...

[jonny1975]

The AUX isn't standard on the spec car you have; it might be that the aerial hasn't been fully reattached and has worked it's way loose since then? Can you pick up *any* AM radio stations? Or is it just Radio 5 that has issues? What about FM stations?

If you have a portable radio that picks up R5 no problem, take it in with you to show the dealer that it isn't just a temporary transmission issue...

Hi Redvers,

Many thanks for the quick reply. The aux i mention is simply the button that says CD / Aux. I am not sure, but i think this suggests there is the facility to plug an Aux cable into the back of the Stereo Unit; but i believe this isn’t an easy area to access. I have no reason to believe that this has been upgraded from the original factory fitted model, so its not likely that the antenna cable became unplugged - but good suggestion though !

I can confirm that i can receive EVERY OTHER analogue radio station available on FM and MW. Its only bbc 5 Live that i cant access.

Good idea about the portable radio to demonstrate the ability to gain a reception on that channel ! Many thanks for that idea.

Okay, any other thoughts on my issues are appreciated.

Cheers Folks

Jonny

[jonny1975]

Hi Redvers,



You were right. The external arial was loose (must have been when they were cleaning the exterior), so i can now enjoy bbc 5Live once again.

Thanks

Regards

Jonny

[redvers]

Glad to hear it's all sorted

Other than on the test drive, I've never seen the original stereo in my 55 FRV as the gf took it for a stereo upgrade on the day it was delivered! As such I assumed that your car had received the £250 AUX upgrade, which I believe is just a standard 3.5mm socket at one end, and RCA red/White at the other to plug in to the back of the head unit!

As for where my arm goes when I drive... I've found that I've altered my driving position since getting my FRV. I have my seat inclined back a little more so that having my arm floating or resting on the arm rest area isn't that uncomfortable!

[bigfish]

I had the armrest problem ie the armrest too low and window too high, but buy pumping up the seat height and altering the seat back angle I've finally got it right (BTW i'm a big bloke 6'4" and 21stone.) I've done a 200mile trip recently and found the positioning comfortable. Watch out for your left knee making contact with the corner of the dash moulding if the seat is too high.

Bigfish

[jonny1975]

Thanks Big Fish,

Wow - you are a big bloke !!! I'm only a wee guy (11.5 stone / 5'10), and i found it really annoying at first. But as you say, its just about playing with the seat position and steering wheel location. I've finally settled on seat as far back as possible and as low down as possible, then i use a cushion to sit on the armrest to bring my elbow height up. Basically, when you fold down the front middle seat and use it as an armrest its perfect, and i guess i am just looking for the exact same height on the drivers door side (thought Honda might have considered that one !).

Anyway, i love the car, so its just about getting used to it.

Cheers

Jonny