Normal Tire Pressure Loss Isn’t a Warranty Repair

Currently Applies To: All models with TPMS

Do you have your vehicle with the low tire pressure indicator is on or has been coming on intermittently?  Before you start any sort of troubleshooting, keep in mind that the low tire pressure indicator is like the “low fuel indicator” for the tires.  It comes on only if the tire pressure drops below a certain threshold.  It’s not saying there’s a problem with the TPMS, so there’s no need for heavy troubleshooting yet.

To make things right, first check the tire pressures.  If they’re lower than the recommended cold inflation values listed on the driver’s doorjamb sticker, inflate the tires to their proper pressures.  If the low tire pressure indicator stays on after you’ve done that, drive the vehicle over 45 km/h for up to 1 minute — the indicator should go out.  If it goes out, you’re done!  If it stays on—or if you suspect there’s a leak—then it’s time to book an appointment.

What’s really important to remember here is that unless the tire pressure loss was due to an actual manufacturer defect, it isn’t covered by warranty.  That means inflating the tires to turn off the low tire pressure indicator isn’t a warranty repair.  Unless a system malfunction is suspected, a low tire pressure indicator shouldn’t mean a trip to the dealer.

Aftermarket Window Tinting Can Cause Noisy, Binding Windows

Are service customers complaining of noisy and binding windows after having them tinted by an aftermarket shop?  The reason could be door glass weatherstrip damage by the window tinters.

To cut down on time, aftermarket window tinting shops often leave on the door trim panels.  But with the trim panels in place, there’s just not enough room to apply the window tint film far enough down the glass to hide the end point of the film.

To get around this problem, the window tinters fold the door glass weatherstrip wipers under so the wipers are pointing straight down instead of straight up.  This lets them apply the window tint film where they want it, but it permanently distorts the wipers, causing the windows to make noise and bind when you raise and lower them.

Window tint film also increases the thickness of the glass and changes its smoothness, which further contributes to this problem.

Any damage caused by aftermarket window tinting isn’t Honda Canada’s responsibility, so it’s not a warranty repair.  Window tinting shops should consult with their suppliers for available special tools and application methods that can help them do the job properly without risk of damage.

Install Those Accessory All Weather Floor Mats

Installing a set of all weather accessory floor mats? For a quality job—you’ve got to follow the installation instructions.  We’ve received reports of floor mats being installed without the holders and floor mats not properly attached to the holders.  Either way, you wind up with floor mats that slide around, which is not just an annoyance but a safety concern as well.

The installation instructions show you exactly how to install the front holders and the front floor mats, followed by the rear holders and the rear floor mats.  So why take a chance by winging it?  Just take your time, follow those instructions carefully—and you can’t go wrong.

Cruise Control Doesn’t Set? Check For LED Brake Light Bulbs

Currently Applies To: ’01–05 Civics

Do you have a vehicle where your cruise control doesn’t set?  Check to see if the brake lights have aftermarket LED bulbs.  If they do, swap the bulbs with new tungsten filament bulbs, and go for a test-drive to check the cruise control operation.  If the cruise control now works properly, your fixed.  It’s feedback through the LED bulbs that’s causing this problem.

Pressure Washers can Cause Tire Damage

High pressure water applied in a concentrated area of a tire, even for a short period of time, may cause damage.  Many pressure washers available to consumers today are capable of pressures high enough to cause tire damage.

The photo below is an example of tire damage caused by the improper use of a pressure washer.

If you are using a pressure washer for vehicle cleanup, keep in mind the following when cleaning tires:

• Avoid the use of concentrated stream of water – use only a fan spray pattern

• Avoid prolonged contact of high pressure water on one area of the tire

• Maintain a minimum distance of 12″ (30cm) between the nozzle and the tire surface

• Avoid the use of petroleum products or harsh detergents and chemicals to clean tires

Damage of this type will typically not be covered by tire manufacturers’ warranties.

Stiff Shifting, Popping Out of Gear? Replace the MTF

NOTE: This article applies to all M/T-equipped Honda cars and trucks.

We’ve heard reports of customers complaining about the M/T shifting stiffly or popping out of gear.  In each case, the M/T was using aftermarket MTF or old Honda MTF.  If you have a vehicle that fits this profile, try draining the MTF and replacing it with new Honda Genuine MTF P/N 08798-9031C.  This new MTF offers better overall shift quality in cold weather (especially in freezing temperatures), and it’s got better friction reduction for improved fuel economy and longer transmission life.

Creak Noise from Front Brake Pedal

NOTE: This article applies to the 2006 to 2011 Civic 2-door only.

Do you have a 2006 Civic 2-door with a creak noise from the front pedal?  DO NOT reach for your favourite oil can or aerosol squeak fixer.  Excess lube may drip onto the brake switch and cause it to stop functioning, creating a far worse problem.  Use the following procedure:

1. Remove the drivers under cover (where applicable).

2. Remove the brake pedal return spring.

 3. Slide the rubber sleeve off the return spring.

 

 4. Apply grease to the middle portion of the return spring.  Use the excess grease that is on the brake pedal spring attachment holes.

  

 5. Reinstall the rubber cover onto the spring and reassemble the spring.

Clean Engine Compartments With Mild Detergent

Do you have a greasy engine compartment that begs for cleaning?  Stay away from strong chemicals such as brake cleaners or wheel cleaners.  These products can cause under-hood plastic components to get brittle.  And brittle components—some of which can impact vehicle performance—can later fail during normal use.

For cleaning engine compartments, Honda Canada strongly recommends using mild detergent and a pressure washer.  This combo does a fine job of cleaning things up without the risk of component damage.

Skip Shifting is Damaging to M/T Synchronizers

The gear ratios in 6-speed manual transmissions are spaced closely so if desired, you can keep the engine speed in its optimum range for maximum power and acceleration.  Shifting to the next higher or lower gear in a close-ratio transmission results in small changes in engine speed.

Shifting a close-ratio transmission through its gears sequentially puts a very small load on the synchronizers since they only have to make small changes to the speed of the mainshaft and the clutch disc.

However, some drivers like to “skip shift” so they don’t have to work the clutch pedal and shift lever as much.  They accelerate in 1st gear, then shift into 3rd gear, then into 5th, or 6th.  Skip shifting is very hard on synchronizers; it puts a higher demand on them than they were designed to take.  Skip shifting can cause premature synchronizer wear that can cause the gears to grind when you shift up or down.

If you are guilty of skip shifting, this is a reminder that skip shifting can be an expensive habit to break.

Know Your Low Tire Pressure and TPMS Indicators

Do you know the difference between the low tire pressure indicator and the TPMS indicator?  Service customers sometimes get these two indicators mixed up, so they might tell the service advisor  “A light came on in my dash, and I think it’s got something to do with tire pressure.”  If the RO doesn’t clearly state which indicator is involved, knowing which one it is could mean the difference between a simple job and a lot of wasted troubleshooting time and effort.

Low Tire Pressure Indicator – This icon indicator comes on when the tire pressure is 25% below its recommended value listed on the driver’s doorjamb sticker.

(On Odysseys, you’ll also see a CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message in the MID.)  This value is always the recommended cold inflation value.

When this indicator comes on, the TPMS control unit sets one or more of these DTCs:

• TPMS DTC 11 (right-front low tire pressure)

• TPMS DTC 13 (left-front low tire pressure)

• TPMS DTC 15 (right-rear low tire pressure)

• TPMS DTC 17 (left-rear low tire pressure)

If this is the indicator that came on, check the tire pressure against its recommended value.  Check for a leak if you suspect there might be one; otherwise, set the tire pressure accordingly.  Always check tire pressures when the tires are cold, and make sure you’re using an accurate tire pressure gauge when you do.  Accuracy can sometimes be an issue with these gauges, so it’s a good idea to calibrate your tire pressure gauge often.

Something else to keep in mind: Colder weather means lower tire pressures.  A 5.5°C change in tire temperature changes tire pressure by 1 psi.  If the tire pressure was already below its recommended value—even by only 20%—a big dip in temperature could cause the indicator to come on.

Here’s a typical scenario to show just what we’re talking about.  The tire temperature was warm from driving (32°C) when the tire pressure was checked and set it to its recommended value.  You then parked the vehicle outside and the outside and tire temperatures dropped to -12°C.  This 44°C drop in tire temperature causes a corresponding 8 psidrop in tire pressure.  If the tire pressure gauge was off by + 1 psi, now you’re dealing with a 9 psi change in tire pressure.  This will cause the low tire pressure indicator to come on and the TPMS control unit to set a TPMS DTC.

When the tire heats up from driving, the tire pressure rises and the indicator will go off.  In cold weather, this could happen a lot.

TPMS Indicator – This text indicator comes on and stays on when there’s a definite problem with the TPMS as a system.  (On Odysseys, it’s a CHECK TPMS SYSTEM message in the MID.)  The TPMS shuts off and stops monitoring tire pressures.  If this indicator or message is on, book an appointment and troubleshoot accordingly.