[II Kings 9:20]

I had to leave the 13 Ex out of the garage because I had to park the MDX at an angle to fit the hitch carrier.

These are observations that are different from when it sits overnight in the garage.

21F outside, I let it warm up 10 min to clear frost

1. Just past 3 years, the battery is weak. It fired up but struggled to crank

2. Weak seat heater

3. Engine runs a bit rough and is noisier than ever.

4. CVT hiccups and stutters for the first 2 miles. It only occurs when pulling away from a stop.

In 3 years, I've never left it outside in the cold. I have felt similar issues when at work for 8 hours but this morning was different (much worse). I only drive 3.5 miles to work and it never really felt right the whole way there. I hate to think what it would be like without a warm up. To sum it up; unimpressive.

 

[NesOne]

I hear ya, I too notice the weak battery now. I tend to turn my lights and radio off when I turn off the car. I'm thinking that it's just time for the battery to die already, because one day I did the fob command to roll down the windows, and the car wouldn't start and had to get a jump.

My weather right now isn't that cold, it's about 32-40 and I don't let it warm up. I'd say I leave it on for about 2-3 minutes (while setting up my waze and stuff) and take off lol.

 

[mclasser]

It's interesting how the elements can take a toll on a car. My '02 has been parked outside almost exclusively for the past 14 yrs.

 

[NesOne]

It's interesting how the elements can take a toll on a car. My '02 has been parked outside almost exclusively for the past 14 yrs.

Yup, the '02 that I had previously was parked in the garage overnight about 98% of its life, and the 1st winter that I started parking it outside, the starter died.

 

[II Kings 9:20]

Methinks I'll replace the battery sooner than later.

 

[BacktoAccord]

I did so with a 24F and it has been a vast improvement. No more slow turnover.

 

[II Kings 9:20]

I did so with a 24F and it has been a vast improvement. No more slow turnover.

Slow turnover, good point. We can't blame 20w50 oil either. It's the battery. IIRC, you need a few parts/pieces to convert to 24F?

 

[karfreek]

Slow turnover, good point. We can't blame 20w50 oil either. It's the battery. IIRC, you need a few parts/pieces to convert to 24F?

It's all in this thread. I think it was $37 in parts to do it all. You could get away with no parts and just bend the 51R bracket. Depends on how OE you want it to look.

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/86-9th-generation/228161-i4-battery-51r-35-v6-hardware.html

Jay

 

[ltxi]

21F ain't really that cold unless one's unlucky enough to live in SoCal.

You got three years out of an OEM 51R...you are truly blessed.

Parts to convert...close as I remember from all those "i upgraded my battery threads/posts" the only significant keep it kinda stock looking essential was a correct size hold down bit of plastic top piece.

Want to never hafta do it again do it right? Get an Odyssey 34R and install with circa one inch spacer underneath...Odyssey sells them but a simple piece of pine board works fine. Don't want to spring for the Odyssey? Use an anything but OEM, good Group 24 and all should be good for another three to four years.

 

[HondaTechAV6]

hmm...can't say I experience any of these conditions on a regular basis at work. your car hates you.

 

[Offbeat Oddity]

My old 2007 Accord 4 cylinder was kept outside each day from 2010-2014 (the years I had it), and those Minnesota winters definitely made for some very interesting starts. It started fine in most weather, but once it hit -25 below or so, it was sometimes reluctant to start and occasionally wouldn't start at all. At the 4 year mark, the battery died. Granted, it was put through a lot, but it never seemed particularly strong. However, after I let it warm up for about 10-15 minutes, I thought the car ran quite smoothy.

In this particular regard, my old 1998 Dodge Neon had a clear advantage- it started even when the windchill hit -40 and never failed me once. The heater was also incredibly hot. However, it made one heck of a racket at -20 and below. The Accord was miles better when it came to engine noise and smoothness, if not actually being the more reliable starter.

 

[II Kings 9:20]

hmm...can't say I experience any of these conditions on a regular basis at work. your car hates you.

You're taunting me. You have a V6 and my MDX has the same V6 which is ultra smooth.

 

[08EX-L]

This is why Honda put the larger battery on all Canadian cars... those little 51Rs are garbage.

The only cold weather observation I have is that the RPM plants itself at 2000RPM while driving even with Econ on... car needs to warm up before the RPM will drop back down to 1100-1500.

 

[14v6]

In our CRV's particularly the 2015, there would be no room for a larger battery, structural steel in the way, it looks like a motorcycle battery sitting in there. Wouldn't the Walmart battery with the 550 CCA be enough for everyone? All of the Honda 4 bangers sound really weak on starting crank, even under normal conditions.

 

[djkev21]

10 minute warm up...ouch.

happy thanksgiving!

Merica

 

[ThatsABigOne]

In our CRV's particularly the 2015, there would be no room for a larger battery, structural steel in the way, it looks like a motorcycle battery sitting in there. Wouldn't the Walmart battery with the 550 CCA be enough for everyone? All of the Honda 4 bangers sound really weak on starting crank, even under normal conditions.

I recently purchased a new 51R battery from Walmart and the battery cranks the motor better than ever. Starts are extremely effortless now.

Is it me or I just start my car and go? I let the car warm up when I drive for first few miles.

 

[djkev21]

^ i start my car, wait 10 seconds and go...even in the freezing cold Canadian winters.
with the upgraded battery for us canucks, it definitely helps.
i have heat within a few short minutes and my seats warm up fast too.

 

[desertrat]

When I had my generation 6 Accord V6 it stayed outside the entire 7 years I owned it. Always started perfectly, the OEM battery lasted 6 years and never failed completely. It drove just as well when it was -10 degrees F as it did in the summer. The only real difference I can remember was that it had more rattles when it was cold.

My generation 9 Accord Sport with MT is just fine when cold, but it is garaged (above 35 degrees) every night. It does seem to take a long time to warm up but it doesn't rattle.

 

[mclasser]

Are OE Honda batteries really that sucky? My Pilot's almost 3 yrs old and I really hope it doesn't need a battery soon. I've parked her outside on several cold nights and she's started right up *knock on wood.* I make sure the battery contacts are clean and tight on all my cars.

 

[08EX-L]

Are OE Honda batteries really that sucky? My Pilot's almost 3 yrs old and I really hope it doesn't need a battery soon. I've parked her outside on several cold nights and she's started right up *knock on wood.* I make sure the battery contacts are clean and tight on all my cars.

Not all, just the tiny 51R that comes on some 4 cylinders.

35 Battery should come on all cars.