2008 Cr-v

[Vishnu]

I have a question for all you CR-V experts.

I got my 2008 2WD EX on new year's eve. I like everything about it. The only thing I do not like is the bumpy ride. I can feel every little nook and cranny of the road (as bad NJ roads are) especially at low speeds. I had never driven an SUV before - only sedans which are quite smooth and isolate the driver from little road imperfections. Honda sales told me that this is normal for an SUV. Is this really normal or do I need to get something fixed?

Your input is very much appreciated.

- Vishnu

[07CRVOWNR]

Congratulations on your purchase. The ride characteristics of an SUV can vary greatly from cars due to the setup between the two types. I have an 07 CRV and am now an new owner of an 07 Dodge Magnum SXT. The Magnum is tuned to be more of a cushy type ride than an SUV. I have made several trips up north to New York and Philadelphia in my CRV and haven't noticed that the ride was out of spec for what an SUV should ride like. I also recently rented a KIA Sportage (a horrible SUV in my opinion) where the ride was very bumpy versus my CRV. This is more of an apples to apples comparison as compared to matching a SUV vs Car ride characteristics.

[Black Pearl]

The 07 CR-V (and I would assume 08) does have a hard ride, compared to sedans and even some of the cushier SUVs. I have rented Trail Blazers several times and never found the ride to be as rough as my V. It has been a criticism in various reviews. I doubt there is anything wrong with your vehicle. Most people get used to the ride after a while.

Welcome to the club.

[devani]

congrats on your new V....I also don't like the roads in NJ...the ride is better than other SUV's....but it is not like a sedan/car...

[RichK]

In the february 08 issue of Car and Driver, in a comparison test with 8 other small suvs, the 08 CRV was rated highest in the ride test, getting 9 of 10 possible rating points. It also received the same score in driver comfort, the highest in the group.

[bullseye]

First time I test drove the '07, I thought it rode as stiff as my F350 Pickup, which i think has a very nice ride all things considered.

[lefooey]

The firm ride and the nimble handling is one of the things that sold me on the CR-V over the other options I was considering. Small car-like handling in a 3,600 lb vehicle is quite an achievement.

[Luc889]

Congratulations for your new CRV. I own a 2008 CRV EX AWD and noticed the rough ride. I posted the same question on another forum ''CRV Quebec". Most comments that I have received is that Bridgestone Dueler original tires are of mediocre quality and they are SUV type of tires which means that the flanks are more rigid... so rough ride. To improve things a bit I removed 2 pounds of air from each tire... TPMS did not come on and I know that these tires will wear faster but want to get rid of them very soon.

The next set of tires will be touring tires not SUV tires because I don't do any off road driving and do not have a chalet with a 60 degree access road to climb, and I do not drive my CRV like a Honda Civic... I'm aware of the tip over potential danger !!
A member bought a set of Toyo Tourevo for his CRV and says it has greatly improved confort and driving. Not to forget that it still a CRV and not a Honda Accord.

[Honda 367]

Congratulations on your new CR-V. As several folks mentioned, the ride is relative. I have an older SUV which truly rides like a truck and is not as cushy as my CR-V is. I don't think there is anything really wrong with it but if you have been accustomed to sedan like rides such as Accord or Camry, I am sure CR-V feels stiffer.

I have Continental tires on my CR-V so I am not sure if that makes any difference. So far, I like my ride. I guess I am used to stiffer rides. Again, congratulations on your CR-V! Enjoy your new car!

[2RedV's]

Remember the Ford Explorer/Firestone tire issue? That was caused by the manufacturer specifying a lower tire pressure than what should have been required in order to make the vehicle ride "more like a car". The result was that the tire would heat up due to the low tire pressure and blow out.

[Vishnu]

Thanks gyus. You have been very very helpful and I am quite relieved. I bet even the salesman at the Honda dealer would be relived - I constantly kept bugging him that there was something wrong.

Good advice for the tyres. I will keep that in mind.

Having had my CRV for about two weeks now, I will say that I have got used to the ride.

Thanks again.

Vishnu

[sleeksilver]

Check your tire pressure.

[jocal62]

I too have Continental tires on my '08 V, and I don't know how mouch an impact that makes, I don't even know of Contitnental tires till I got my CRV, but I think it's a smoother ride than my '05 V, but I guess I'm just used to it. I love it, and I think it handles a lot better than the '05. I test drove a RAV4 and that was the stiff ride!

[ronaldjp]

Vishnu is correct. I live in Thailand and have just taken delivery of a 2008 CRV 2.4 4wd. The hard ride is on purpose and means 'quality' as far as I am concerned as I have had a CRV since they came out and the new version is definitely harder. Our roads here are OK so that is not a concern but I think that what Honda is doing successfully is emulating the German competition all of whom ( as well as Volvo) have and have always had a hard ride. To me this tightly and quality built car just revels in this hard ride and the seats being so comfortable its just sheer pleasure....Enjoy the ride!You'll soon get used to it and won't have anything else in the future...

[joe]

I have a 2008 EX. It has a pretty good ride compared to the PT Cruiser I traded. After reading here I seem to want to think that the tires might have something to do with ride. Mine came with Cotinental "CONTI" tires.

[Vaios]

The ride will keep getting better and better at least for several months. I have my 2007 CRV for almost a year and I believe there has been significant change from when it was new.

[fwc0309]

I have a question for all you CR-V experts.

I got my 2008 2WD EX on new year's eve. I like everything about it. The only thing I do not like is the bumpy ride. I can feel every little nook and cranny of the road (as bad NJ roads are) especially at low speeds. I had never driven an SUV before - only sedans which are quite smooth and isolate the driver from little road imperfections. Honda sales told me that this is normal for an SUV. Is this really normal or do I need to get something fixed?

Your input is very much appreciated.

- Vishnu

You might want to check the air in the tires. When we picked ours up from the dealer a couple of weeks ago, the ride was extremely rough and bumpy. We checked the air and they had it up to 41 pounds! The sticker on the door recommends 30 pounds. We adjusted it and the difference in the ride was like night and day.

[davos]

There is very simple answer - go to the dealership and ask them to let you take some other new car from a lot for a test drive (preferably same model as suspension may differ) and compare it side to side to one you own. There is minimal chance that there is something wrong with both cars.
I also found a CRV to be a it on stiff side. It is harder on road imperfection than a Gr.Cherokee I used to own, but softer than Explorer. And it is a lot harder than Cad CTS - so most likely this is just a new kind of experience for you.
:rolleyes:

[Cravenfan]

I agree...a bit stiff...but it's a shorter wheelbase, etc.

[Zaddeo]

You might try Nitrogen in the tires - It makes a difference.

[craig78681]

You might try Nitrogen in the tires - It makes a difference.
Honda does not recommend it. Click here (http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/t2310/#post13698)

[sleeksilver]

You might want to check the air in the tires. When we picked ours up from the dealer a couple of weeks ago, the ride was extremely rough and bumpy. We checked the air and they had it up to 41 pounds! The sticker on the door recommends 30 pounds. We adjusted it and the difference in the ride was like night and day.

x2.

You always need to check your tire pressure after purchasing your new CR-V. Dealers often forget to do this and it will lead to a really stiff ride.

The CR-Vs are shipped from the factory with such high pressure to prevent flat spotting on the tires from sitting for extended periods of time.

[mycle1000@yahoo.com]

these comments are all on the point. tire pressure should be checked regularly as it makes a lot of difference in the comfort and safety (and tire wear). the original tires are less than ideal and replacements do make a difference. the cr-v has stiffer rated springs and a somewhat 'sporty' ride in comparison to some of the other cuvs we tested. and, remember, it is not a sedan and will have traits not found in regular automobiles.
good luck with your purchase.

[docsoma]

In April I bought an 08 CRV EX and and Accord EXL V6. Our previous cars were an Isuzu Trooper and an Avalon XLS.

I would say that the accord has a harsher ride than the CRV. Other than the reduced power of the 4 cylinder engine, I would say the CRV ride is very good, almost on par with the Avalon which was Lexus smooth and quiet.

Our previous cars have been a 95 Toyota Previa LE with Supercharger and a 96 Mercedes E-320. Ride wise, all these cars were good and the CRV is really quite excellent. The Isuzu was definitely truck like in ride but it too got quieter on long trips and or on different pavement types.

My sense is that more than anything else, the ride after the tires get warmed up really makes things smoother.