Periodically I would check all ground wire points where they go to the frame, they are everywhere.

 

serpentine belt most likely a coincidence, most likely it was old and/or had been exposed to oil.

 

I recently moved to the mountains, and the dirt road to my place is extremely bumpy, a portion of the road even runs through an arroyo, and since my 2006 CRV SE has mostly been a city vehicle, I'm not sure what to watch out for in these conditions.

In the five years I’ve had my CRV, I’ve only had to replace the battery once, during when it sat unused for weeks. But since driving this road the past four months, and it might be unrelated, my serpentine belt shredded a couple weeks ago and since getting the vehicle back, I've noticed the interior and exterior lights flickering slightly. I’m thinking maybe something was knocked loose.

I see the lights flickering is a common issue and I’ll look into those posts, but if you have tips on what to watch for or prevent issues from constant rough driving, please let me know!

serpentine belt most likely a coincidence, most likely it was old and/or had been exposed to

Speaking of oil, I have a undiagnosed oil leak on the passenger side that used to be seemingly coming from or at least that’s what I was told by someone who did an oil change a couple years ago a torn boot. He said that I was “slinging oil “and then I didn’t notice it as much at all actually but fast forward to now and it is all over everything inside the engine bay on that side and it’s dripping off of the undercarriage for lack of a better term and leaving spots everywhere I go. I am constantly checking the engine oil levels and they’re fine so I’m not really sure what the heck is going on because it’s definitely a lot more than a torn boot and yes, it absolutely is on my serpentine belt again so if that causes it to shred, it will do it again.

 

How many miles on your V? Have the struts and springs ever been replaced?

Going up a tire size will give you a little more sidewall height to help with cushioning the ride.

 

Just hit 200K. I used to get a creaking noise only in cold weather which is rare in central Texas where I’m from. I recently returned to Texas but after living on that crazy dirt road, which was also an arroyo, it now creaks all the time.

No, they’ve not been replaced. It had a single owner when I purchased it in 2019 and I have all the service info.

 

I don't believe the CRV was built for daily use on the kind of terrain you described.
I would make sure all the drain plugs are torqued to spec, and filler caps are in place (power steering, coolant overflow tank, the rubber plug on top of the transmission, transmission breather cap etc.,). A friend once told me he drove his Accord along a very bumpy dirt road once and the oil drain plug came loose and all oil drained out. Luckily he wasn't going fast. Someone saw the oil and stopped him.

 

serpentine belt most likely a coincidence, most likely it was old and/or had been exposed to oil.

Speaking of oil, I have a undiagnosed oil leak on the passenger side that used to be seemingly coming from or at least that’s what I was told by someone who did an oil change a couple years ago a torn boot. He said that I was “slinging oil “and then I didn’t notice it as much at all actually but fast forward to now and it is all over everything inside the engine bay on that side and it’s dripping off of the undercarriage for lack of a better term and leaving spots everywhere I go. I am constantly checking the engine oil levels and they’re fine so I’m not really sure what the heck is going on because it’s definitely a lot more than a torn boot and yes, it absolutely is on my serpentine belt again so if that causes it to shred, it will do it again.

 

How do I turn this discusssion about my oil leak into a new post?

 

I dont know about 2006 and how different they are but where i live the roads arent really roads. My 2004 CRV with 520.000 kilometers eats them for breakfast and dessert but some things i do notice is that i have to turn into big dips a bit to avoid smacking the car down too hard or my wheels (215/70/16 AT) will contact the car. Also it ometimes get gravel in the exposed fly wheels and sand plugging the radiator if i dong regularly clean and degrease it. Also i had alot of wires redone because they tended to weaken and break from the vibrations and age, rough terrain does seem to worsen it.

Essentially just have someone competent (unless that person is you) go over the car and check for anything loose or worn out that could be changed out as prevention.

I think most of that is to be regarded basic maintenance on rough terrain.
I run 180 degree 144w LED bars on mine btw, heavily recomended when wildlife is a concern, check local law on it tho, as i understand it not all countries allow that kind of lighting.

In short, while i cant speak gor 2006 specifically, the older CRV gens do seem to handle it well

this is what my daily driving looks like