[jetdoc]

I recently bought a used 2005 accord EX with 60k on it. The car is in great shape. When i test drove it i noticed it needed new tires. Now that i have 4 new tires and an alignment i have noticed the ride is really firm or stiff.....no noises coming from any corner of the car. Is this normal for the Accords? I really notice it now that the temp is below 20 degrees.

I can install new struts myself but not sure i need to. any input on this would be helpful.

P.S. The tires i installed are factory spec. on the original EX alloy wheels.

 

[Aviography]

First check the tire pressure to make sure it is not over-inflated, I run 30 to 32 psi all around, you can decrease to 30 or even 28 quite safely to bring back a bit of the ride quality.

All of my cars, new or not so new, including the Accord I drive now, all showed a bit more harsh ride quality as the temperature drops, especially at the temperature you are mentioning.

Which is the reason I only put sway bars on the car to improve cornering performance, rather than going with stiff shocks/struts or (gasp!) coil-over as the route........., I now have a pleasant combination of roll stiffness without the ride harshness.

BTW, welcome to DA, and do you fix jets?

 

[jetdoc]

I've tried diff pressures - only way to smooth it out is going way down below 22psi which is not safe. Do you know if someone makes a strut that offers a smoother ride or are they all mfg to the same spec.?

Yes, I am an aircraft mech....worked for airlines for 25+ yrs now.

 

[Aviography]

You are right, 22 psi is not safe.

Does the car look lowered at all? I wonder if the previous owner(s) installed shorter/stiffer performance springs? It may not even be obvious unless you parked beside a known un-modified Accord of the same trim level. (i.e. same engine I4 or V6)

Doubt any company makes softer struts, unless there are any adjustable strut for damping/compression, however I have not heard of them over the past few years.

You generally only see "performance" struts in the aftermarket which always go the direction of more stiffness than less.

 

[Fredsvt]

What size/brand of tire did you put on the car?

I've noticed huge differences in ride quality from one brand and size (even within the same brand) of tire to another.

 

[jetdoc]

I put Firestone FireHawk 205/60 16 tires on it......dont' think the suspension has been mod'd as it was a one owner and the lady - as she said- " just drove it". She kept up on the dealer inspections and maint.

 

[Fredsvt]

I'd bet the Firestones are the problem.

A couple of customers where I work had put them on, most notably an older Mazda 6. It rode harshly afterwards. They seem to grip ok though. They did cup pretty bad though in a short period of time.

They switched to a set of Cooper (not my favorite either) touring tires and the ride went back to the way it was.

Tires I've found to be harsh riding so far, Michelin V rated, or XL load rated, regardless of size or model; the Firestones you have; Bridgestone EL tires, found on Lexus ES (awful at small sharp bumps); most Goodyear low profile tires. But any Michelin high performance tire rides better than a GY of the same size. I also have found that most off brand tires seem to compromise grip and ride as well. I've found all run flats ride like crap.

Tires that have been ok in ride quality, Hankook, but NOT in their directional tires, and only in the H or V rated. General Tires, the newer Exlaim and Altimax series. Yoko Avid series seem to ride pretty well. The all season Pirelli tires seem to do ok too.

I've always gone to Tire Rack's site and pored over all their reviews before selecting tires. They are one of the best resources out there.

 

[baezes]

I bet there is no problem at all with your accord. I owned a '00 Accord EX and then switched to a '05 and immediately noticed a difference in ride comfort. The 7th generation suspension being a lot stiffer. Same thing when I switched from my '00 civic to the '03. I hated it at first but now I'm used it.

Can somebody explain why the change to a stiffer suspension from 6th gen to 7th.

 

[FollowingNFront]

I bet there is no problem at all with your accord. I owned a '00 Accord EX and then switched to a '05 and immediately noticed a difference in ride comfort. The 7th generation suspension being a lot stiffer. Same thing when I switched from my '00 civic to the '03. I hated it at first but now I'm used it.

Yeah, my 7.5 gen's ride is kinda "stiff" too

 

[AMAN1]

Ride quality in cars is very relative and subjective. My teenage friends that ride in old Integras with cut springs call my car "floaty", while my mom thinks it rides harsh. It's just right for me :thmsup: OP, what was your previous car, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[oldmansi]

Yup, same here. Stock ride quality on my 7.5 gen V6 coupe is Very firm. Rides like a lowered car. I think a change of tires might help some, but not alot.

 

[Cleankill]

Even with 16" X-ice, i still think the ride is on the stiff side for a family sedan!
That's normal for gen7!

 

[jetdoc]

Thanks everyone for all the input. I do think it is 'normal' for this car to ride this way....just was curious if it was the same as others out there. I also agree that this is a real subjective topic - just like movies and food. I was just shocked at the difference from when I bought it to now in the cold temps....my previous vehicle was a GMC Seirra P/U. Bought this for the mileage and comfort as I am on the road more now.

 

[Furple]

IMO the stock ride is very soft. The tires are really the deciding factor here. My General Altimax Arctic are super soft, you can deform the sidewall with your fingers!

If your really wanted comfort you should have gone Toyota. This guy I know has a corolla and it is NUMB!

 

[AMAN1]

IIRC for general knowledge, the 06-07 6-6 came with stiffer springs.

 

[BLCKFLSH]

If you wanted soft, the Camry would have been the choice. Tires make a difference, but not a whole lot. One of my friends bought some cheap Cooper tires once, and it felt like riding on the bare wheels. The Cooper tires had a high mileage rating, but were hard as rocks. If you were to buy the best ride rated tires, according to tire rack, it would probably help. The Firehawks are not much better than the Cooper tires, IMO.

 

[reb]

I've had/have 3 Honda Accords

2005 LX --very stiff
2007 EX- firm
2010 EXL- just right

 

[honda761]

If my Accord had a softer suspension I think I would have the PERFECT mid size car. It would be almost a Acura TL except for a lot more fake leather. That being said, I'm not about to mess with anything suspension wise. I like my cars stock.

 

[DougNuts]

I'd put down money that your tires are getting hard from the cold weather. Mine have been doing the same thing (5 month old Bridgestone Grid). It's normal, but in full honesty, it took me about a week of driving before I figured out why the car was so rough over bumps and bridge transitions on the highway.

Secondly, yes, the Accord does ride rougher than, for example, a Camry.

I'm not sure if only a shock (not strut) change will give you what you're looking for. I'll talk to my friend who was a ride development engineer at his previous job and see what he says about it.

 

[elvis1977]

I bet there is no problem at all with your accord. I owned a '00 Accord EX and then switched to a '05 and immediately noticed a difference in ride comfort. The 7th generation suspension being a lot stiffer. Same thing when I switched from my '00 civic to the '03. I hated it at first but now I'm used it.

Can somebody explain why the change to a stiffer suspension from 6th gen to 7th.

I agree with you. I went from a 1998 accord to a 2006 accord and noticed a huge difference in a stiffer suspension and bumpier ride. I still can't understand why HONDA made this change. Can anybody out there explain why? My 1998 accord was much better of a ride and alot less bumpier. I run my tire pessure on my 2006 accord at 30 psi all around and it helps soften the ride a little bit, but not alot. I have new Michelin Primacy tires on th 2006 accord. Why did HONDA make this change???