[naunzie]

My '02 EX is on order, expecting it in Sept. I have seen the gear lever selector to be obstructing the music system console and the other controls on the front panel. Has anyone experimenting with changing the lever with a shorter version, I have seen people do that for the radio antennas. Maybe Honda comes out with a different/shorter/better version for this. Thanks

 

[ckonarske]

I'm 6'1", so that may have a bearing on my sight line, but my shift lever doesn't block anything that I've ever noticed. In fact, for as weird as I thought the lever was when I first drove an Ody, now I wouldn't change it for anything. I really like it now that I'm used to it.

------------------
Chuck
Click here for Ody pics, mods and fixes.

[This message has been edited by ckonarske (edited 07-23-2001).]

 

[Intrepid175]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ckonarske:
I'm 6'1", so that may have a bearing on my sight line, but my shift lever doesn't block anything that I've ever noticed. In fact, for as weird as I thought the lever was when I first drove an Ody, now I wouldn't change it for anything. I really like it now that I'm used to it.
</font>

That's interesting ckonarske, I'm 6'2" and for me the shift lever does block part of the upper left corner of the radio. All other functions on the radio are fully visible and accessable. Does it bother me, Nope! The very end of the lever covers the FM/AM button and the upper quarter of the volume knob but none of this is a problem.

FWIW,
Drive Safe
Steve


[This message has been edited by Intrepid175 (edited 07-23-2001).]

 

[travis]

I think I remember the gear lever blocking a little bit of the radio when we looked at the ody. I had read about it on a post somewhere so I was looking for it. After we got the van, I have never noticed it.

The thing that has been a little bit of annoyance to me is the fact that the gear lever does not seem to catch in D4 very well. I have slid past D4 to D3 more than once. I am getting more used to it and do it less than when I first got the ody, but I wish it did catch a little better. Does anybody else experience that?

Travis


------------------
2001 MB EX, Splash Guards, Cargo Tray, Wheel Locks, Pioneer Speakers

 

[ckonarske]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by travis:

The thing that has been a little bit of annoyance to me is the fact that the gear lever does not seem to catch in D4 very well. I have slid past D4 to D3 more than once. I am getting more used to it and do it less than when I first got the ody, but I wish it did catch a little better. Does anybody else experience that?

Travis


</font>

It took me about a month to figure this out: The shift lever detents are different on the Ody than on other any other automatic I've ever driven. When shifting to D4, pull the lever all the way toward you and hold it out (towards the steering wheel) as you pull it down. It WILL stop at D4. You CAN'T move it down to D3 until you release it toward the front of the van. But once you're in D4, all it takes is a downward slap of the shift lever to downshift out of overdrive into D3.

I'm not sure why Honda designed it the way they did, but when you get used to the differences built into it, it works very well. Play with it a bit and you'll see what I mean.

------------------
Chuck
Click here for Ody pics, mods and fixes.

[This message has been edited by ckonarske (edited 07-23-2001).]

 

[bjk2001]

It did block some of the radio control when I drive. I was amazed how big the handle is. But kinda get used to it for a couple weeks. It is much easier to shift in and out of gear than my other minivan.

I am just wondering has anyone gotten a leather cover for the lever handle?

------------------
'01 GG EX
Mud Guard, Wheel Lock
Cargo Tray, Weathertech Mats
leather steerling wheel cover
Lojack

[This message has been edited by bjk2001 (edited 07-23-2001).]

 

[groupset]

I've never noticed the gear shift blocking anything on my van. Then the thought occurred to me - I've got the navigation system in mine. Went to Chuck's pictures and looked; sure 'nuff, he's got the NAVI version also! Since the radio on the EX-NAVI is mounted underneath the navigation screen (and hence much lower than the radio on the non-NAVI version), the gear shift doesn't block any of the radio buttons or controls. (Hmmmm...is this how I justify the extra $2K?? My radio controls aren't blocked? Yeah, that's the ticket...

)

------------------
David
'01 GG EX-NAVI
Classic Soft Trim leather kit; Audiovox entertainment system; Gentex auto dimming compass/temp rear view mirror; Pioneer speakers front & rear; leather steering wheel wrap; splash guards; cargo tray; cargo liner; power door mods; Helm manual; Honda litter bag.

 

[travis]

Thanks for the tip Chuck. I will give that a try. If that is the way it works that is great. I can adjust to it however it works. It would just be nice to feel like it is solidly in gear.

Travis



------------------
2001 MB EX, Splash Guards, Cargo Tray, Wheel Locks, Pioneer Speakers

 

[ckonarske]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by groupset:
I've never noticed the gear shift blocking anything on my van. Then the thought occurred to me - I've got the navigation system in mine. Went to Chuck's pictures and looked; sure 'nuff, he's got the NAVI version also! Since the radio on the EX-NAVI is mounted underneath the navigation screen (and hence much lower than the radio on the non-NAVI version), the gear shift doesn't block any of the radio buttons or controls. (Hmmmm...is this how I justify the extra $2K?? My radio controls aren't blocked? Yeah, that's the ticket...

)

</font>

Good Thinkin'! I NEVER would have figured THAT out!

------------------
Chuck
Click here for Ody pics, mods and fixes.

 

[sdp]

It does block the volume control, but I've gotten used to using the steering wheel controls (EX) for volume so it doesn't bother me at all now.

However, I do find myself reaching for the gear shifter on the column (like an idiot) sometimes when I'm in my Accord...

 

[oclvframe]

Think of it as a perch....
...let me explain. Once the gear selector is in D4, all you have to do to change the volume of the radio is perch your hand on the lever and right there at your finger-tips is the volume knob. From there (if you know your radio buttons well enough, you can adjust stations, etc.

BTW I cannot use the steering whee controls anymore because I replace the stock one with an aftermarket stereo.

-r