New CR-V owner w/some questions

9248 Views 33 Replies 16 Participants Last post by babuofusa, Mar 13, 2019

Monkeyman

Discussion Starter · Mar 3, 2019

Sup, all. My name is Christopher and I just leased a 2019 EX AWD yesterday. I live in western NC (Blue Ridge foothills) but originally hailed from northern IN.

I needed something to replace my 2010 Buick Enclave CXL AWD. (195k miles but looks like 19.5k) I opted for the EX over the EX-L due to the cost but there are some things I'm just "missing" that I had and got very used to in the Enclave. I can do w/o the leather seats as I'll buy some nice sheep skin seats for the front (I'm the only 1 in the house so the rear seats will probably never get used and the front passenger side rarely) but I'm already finding it annoying not having a leather wrapped steering wheel. (No idea why but I don't like it.) I'm also not very happy w/a manual dimming inside rear view mirror. I'll miss a power liftgate but I'll get used to the manual one. Another thing I miss is memory drivers seat. I'm a big guy (6'1"/300#) so I like the seat all the way back/down getting in/out. I know I can manually move the seat when I get in/out then readjust it when I get back in but I have the EXACT position I like now. Nothing I'm going to try to change, just an annoyance. As I drive more, I'm sure there will be other things that I miss although I know no vehicle fits everyone perfectly.

Overall, I really like this. The gas mileage increase is GREAT! (The Enclave gets 11mpg in town and 18mpg on the highway.) I'm also digging the tech/safety features like the ACC and LKAS although I found myself driving about 12mph slower yesterday as I came up on someone slower and didn't think about the ACC.

(10 miles later, I realized how slow I was going and passed.) I think the center display looks a bit cheap but it seems to work well. I like the digital gauge cluster/display. I'm finding new info there all the time. Having some minor issues w/Android Auto but that's probably just because I'm not use to it and/or I don't know how it works. No biggie. The auto high beams (never had them before) are a great touch, especially at this price point.

Anyway, I wasn't sure if there was a sub forum to introduce myself and since I had questions, I figured I'd posts here. (Please let me know if I've erred.)

1) How difficult is it to swap out an EX-L/Touring steering wheel? Cost?
2) Can an auto dimming inside rear view mirror be retrofitted? Cost?

HAGO!
MONK

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21 - 34 of 34 Posts

Monkeyman

Discussion Starter · #21 · Mar 5, 2019

JB in AZ said:
Seems like I read on this forum that the 19's have a different volume control switch/slider on the left side of the steering wheel. Did a quick search but didn't find it. Perhaps this is why the 19 has a different part number? Just a guess, and based only on a questionable memory of another post.

While I'm sure that's true (my '19 doesn't have the slide feature, only + (up) and - (down)...I was looking forward to the slide thing), the new wheels I'm seeing only come w/the wheel itself (no switches) and are still different part numbers. If I do the work myself, I have to know that everything from my '19 will swap into the '18 wheel and that the wheel itself will mount on the car. (Of course, I'd also need to make sure I didn't need any extra parts.

I'm also sure the '17/'18 switches are a little different because of the volume slider (or lack thereof) and on this '18 Touring (non-heated) wheel for sale (https://www.crvownersclub.com/forum...g-model-brand-new-leather-steering-wheel.html). You can see the Main button is in the middle position where mine is on the left of the 3 buttons. Still, I would swap my controls/wiring to the new leather wrapped wheel. (Just using this as an example.)

This is getting more confusing by the minute. 1/2 tempted to drop the cash ($170) on a new OEM wheel just to make sure I get the right one.

HAGO!
MONK

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Monkeyman

Discussion Starter · #22 · Mar 5, 2019

Double post. My apologies.

UMRdyldo

· #23 · Mar 5, 2019

JB in AZ said:
Seems like I read on this forum that the 19's have a different volume control switch/slider on the left side of the steering wheel. Did a quick search but didn't find it. Perhaps this is why the 19 has a different part number? Just a guess, and based only on a questionable memory of another post.

Not only is the slider different, the buttons are of a different textures on all of the steering wheel buttons.

Noticed it right away on our 19 vs. my 17.

Heather18

· #24 · Mar 7, 2019

Monkeyman said:
Sup, all. My name is Christopher and I just leased a 2019 EX AWD yesterday. I live in western NC (Blue Ridge foothills) but originally hailed from northern IN.

I needed something to replace my 2010 Buick Enclave CXL AWD. (195k miles but looks like 19.5k) I opted for the EX over the EX-L due to the cost but there are some things I'm just "missing" that I had and got very used to in the Enclave. I can do w/o the leather seats as I'll buy some nice sheep skin seats for the front (I'm the only 1 in the house so the rear seats will probably never get used and the front passenger side rarely) but I'm already finding it annoying not having a leather wrapped steering wheel. (No idea why but I don't like it.) I'm also not very happy w/a manual dimming inside rear view mirror. I'll miss a power liftgate but I'll get used to the manual one. Another thing I miss is memory drivers seat. I'm a big guy (6'1"/300#) so I like the seat all the way back/down getting in/out. I know I can manually move the seat when I get in/out then readjust it when I get back in but I have the EXACT position I like now. Nothing I'm going to try to change, just an annoyance. As I drive more, I'm sure there will be other things that I miss although I know no vehicle fits everyone perfectly.

Overall, I really like this. The gas mileage increase is GREAT! (The Enclave gets 11mpg in town and 18mpg on the highway.) I'm also digging the tech/safety features like the ACC and LKAS although I found myself driving about 12mph slower yesterday as I came up on someone slower and didn't think about the ACC. (10 miles later, I realized how slow I was going and passed.) I think the center display looks a bit cheap but it seems to work well. I like the digital gauge cluster/display. I'm finding new info there all the time. Having some minor issues w/Android Auto but that's probably just because I'm not use to it and/or I don't know how it works. No biggie. The auto high beams (never had them before) are a great touch, especially at this price point.

Anyway, I wasn't sure if there was a sub forum to introduce myself and since I had questions, I figured I'd posts here. (Please let me know if I've erred.)

1) How difficult is it to swap out an EX-L/Touring steering wheel? Cost?
2) Can an auto dimming inside rear view mirror be retrofitted? Cost?

HAGO!
MONK

I haven't read all 23 posts to date but why didn't you just get the Touring and not deal with the band aids?

Monkeyman

Discussion Starter · #25 · Mar 7, 2019

Heather18 said:
I haven't read all 23 posts to date but why didn't you just get the Touring and not deal with the band aids?

I just couldn't justify paying $5000+ more for a few things I either didn't need or want. For a fraction of the upgraded cost of the EX-L, I can have everything I "need" and most of what I "want". I'll buy a set of very good leather or sheepskin seat covers (for the front only/I'm the only one who will be in the car), I'll swap in a genuine Honda leather wrapped steering wheel (not heated as I don't need heat bad enough to pony up the extra few hundred bucks for that) and I'll probably swap in a genuine Honda auto dimming rear view mirror. For $800, I'll have all that I need and most of what I want. Much better than spending $2500 (for the EX-L) for basically the same thing.

I hope that answers your question.

HAGO!
MONK

metsfan84

· #26 · Mar 7, 2019 (Edited)

Monkeyman said:
Much better than spending $2500 (for the EX-L) for basically the same thing.

For what it's worth, I have two '18 CR-V leases, EX and EX-L. My payment is $35 more a month for the EX-L, so, a $1260 upgrade over the life of the lease.

I didn't realize how big of a deal the leather steering wheel would be for me. When I go from the EX-L into the EX I really don't mind the cloth seats, but the EX steering wheel feels rough and uncomfortable after getting used to the EX-L one. For my next car I wouldn't mind cloth seats, but I can't see myself going back to the less expensive steering wheel.

Anyway, before you make any changes to the lease, make sure you're prepared to swap them back out at the end of the lease, because though you're making upgrades, Honda might give you a hard time if you return a car that has something other than stock EX equipment.

Heather18

· #27 · Mar 7, 2019

Monkeyman said:
I just couldn't justify paying $5000+ more for a few things I either didn't need or want. For a fraction of the upgraded cost of the EX-L, I can have everything I "need" and most of what I "want". I'll buy a set of very good leather or sheepskin seat covers (for the front only/I'm the only one who will be in the car), I'll swap in a genuine Honda leather wrapped steering wheel (not heated as I don't need heat bad enough to pony up the extra few hundred bucks for that) and I'll probably swap in a genuine Honda auto dimming rear view mirror. For $800, I'll have all that I need and most of what I want. Much better than spending $2500 (for the EX-L) for basically the same thing.

I hope that answers your question.

HAGO!
MONK

I didn't mean to be nasty. I was just wondering about parts/labor and time lost to get it just how you wanted your car. It seems easier to come from the factory as you wish and have the other non important things to you be available at trade in

Monkeyman

Discussion Starter · #28 · Mar 7, 2019

Heather18 said:
I didn't mean to be nasty. I was just wondering about parts/labor and time lost to get it just how you wanted your car. It seems easier to come from the factory as you wish and have the other non important things to you be available at trade in

I didn't take your post as being nasty. No worries. I have a 3 year lease so however this is/will be set up is what I have to live w/for the next 36 months. What's important to me isn't necessarily what's important to Honda, at least for the masses (i.e. leather bolsters, leather wrapped wheel and auto dimming rear view mirror are important to me). The other vehicle I was looking at was a 2019 Subaru Forester Sport. For the same money, it has the same amenities that the EX-L has. I got a better deal on the Honda so that's what I have. If I had it to do all over, I may very well have gone w/the EX-L trim. Now that I've signed the papers and have almost 100 miles on this, it's mine.

FWIW, even my old 2004 bare bones Chevy Blazer (S10 based) had a leather wrapped steering wheel.

Hondarobin

· #29 · Mar 8, 2019

You know it's been my experiance you only see the complaints on forums like this and never hear from the 1000s of CRV owners out there that have had NO problems. You are letting the noisy complaints few run your live! Happy '18 CRV EX owner! Just saying!!

loweguy1

· #30 · Mar 10, 2019

metsfan84 said:
For what it's worth, I have two '18 CR-V leases, EX and EX-L. My payment is $35 more a month for the EX-L, so, a $1260 upgrade over the life of the lease.

I didn't realize how big of a deal the leather steering wheel would be for me. When I go from the EX-L into the EX I really don't mind the cloth seats, but the EX steering wheel feels rough and uncomfortable after getting used to the EX-L one. For my next car I wouldn't mind cloth seats, but I can't see myself going back to the less expensive steering wheel.

Anyway, before you make any changes to the lease, make sure you're prepared to swap them back out at the end of the lease, because though you're making upgrades, Honda might give you a hard time if you return a car that has something other than stock EX equipment.

Funny. We recently leased a 2019 EX and after having it 30 days my lone complaint is the grainy hard plastic wheel. I have no plans to swap the wheel, but will apply a wrap.

Other than that, this thing is fantastic for our needs. We took it on a 2300 mile round trip and averaged right on 30 mpg.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Monkeyman

Discussion Starter · #31 · Mar 10, 2019

loweguy1 said:
I have no plans to swap the wheel, but will apply a wrap.

So, what's a good-great wrap? If I can't find an OEM leather wrapped wheel to swap, I might have to go w/a wrap. The only wrap I'd be interested in is a lace on where the ends tuck under the switches, etc so it looks OEM. As much as I'd hate to spend an entire Saturday wrapping/stitching a wrap, I just can't stand this bare wheel.

babuofusa

· #32 · Mar 10, 2019

can you convert manual tailgate into a power tailgate on 2018 cr-v ex?

my honda dealer service advisor denied saying Honda doesn't allow this. can you get this done by a 3rd party? will that void any warranty?

TEXASCRVs

· #33 · Mar 11, 2019

babuofusa said:
can you convert manual tailgate into a power tailgate on 2018 cr-v ex?

my honda dealer service advisor denied saying Honda doesn't allow this. can you get this done by a 3rd party? will that void any warranty?

Yes, with enough money and time you could do this. Yes, it will void the warranty if Honda determines that the modification was the cause of whatever failed.

babuofusa

· #34 · Mar 13, 2019

TEXASCRVs said:
Yes, with enough money and time you could do this. Yes, it will void the warranty if Honda determines that the modification was the cause of whatever failed.

Can you suggest more? How this can be done and how much this will cost?

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