Honda CRV SE 2014

DRAGJOHN
DRAGJOHN Forum Participant Posts: 27
edited May 2017 in Towcars & Towing #1

I have just purchased a Honda CRV SE 2014. It is 3 years old, and seems a great car. It has an 'Eco' system which is supposed to be more environmentally friendly etc . When I am towing should I have this turned off? I have a feeling it might be better for the engine if I have it in normal drive. Any thoughts?

 

Also it has what seems to be a very sophisticated audio system which includes a 'hard drive' It seems you can load music into this as on a computer. At the moment it appears you have to insert a cd and whilst it is playing it rips the music on to the hard drive. Is there any way of loading music from a flash drive on to this hard drive? I have searched the internet but every example shows an older version of the system.

Comments

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #2

    If you mean Stop/Start ? then I cant see that it matters on or off?

    My Freelander 2 has a Hard Drive to rip CD's to. Tried it once and it takes forever frown I just steam music from my phone via Bluetooth or connect the phone to the car via the USB socket in the centre console. Albums and tracks can then be viewed and selected form the cars touch screen.

    Ian.

  • Hatter
    Hatter Forum Participant Posts: 44
    edited May 2017 #3

    Hi

    When towing advisable to turn off eco mode.

    Don't  know about the hard drive but maybe try a site such as Honda Karma (hondakarma.com). Plenty on there who have your model and can give advice.

    Peter

  • KellyHenderson
    KellyHenderson Forum Participant Posts: 76
    edited May 2017 #4

    Do check the advice under either the Towing or Driving modes sections in the vehicle handbook laughing

  • dorsettaffy
    dorsettaffy Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited May 2017 #5

    Honda advise that the Eco system is not used when towing.

    They also advise that the "Stop/Start" should not be used when towing, although I am not sure why!  Personally I tend to switch the "Stop/Start" off after I read that using it causes the engine to restart about ten times more than normal which places a heavy load on the battery and the starter motor.

  • tenere man
    tenere man Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited May 2017 #6

    One thing that would give me a serious cause for concern with this ECO system that is fitted to your car, is that when the engine is running possible hotter than normal, with the engine stopping straight away, theirs no time for the TURBO to have slowed down, and its possibly be run short on oil.

    Im a solid believer in letting the engine idle for 20, 30, seconds, giving time for the turbo to have complety slowed down, more so after towing the caravan. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #7

    Not all stop/start engines use a specific starter motor. e.g. some use the alternator 

  • dinker
    dinker Forum Participant Posts: 31
    edited May 2017 #8

    I may be wrong, but I feel some are confusing Eco and stop/start. On my car, a Santa Fe, I've got Eco but no stop/start. I think Eco is simply referring to "economy" mode, which reduces power somewhat, especially  when accelerating etc, in order to provide better consumption.

    I don't whether or not it should be switched off whilst towing, but on hind-sight it would make sense. (I've been towing with it on, but I think from now on, I'll cancel it).

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #9

    The computers driving your engine management systems are clever enough to take these temps etc into consideration wink

    The few times I've driven stop/start cars I've turned it off cool  a PITA as you wait for it to start the engine as you want set off.

  • Hatter
    Hatter Forum Participant Posts: 44
    edited September 2017 #10

    On our CRV if we use stop/start then pressing and holding the foot brake when stationary turns the engine off (auto). If you waggle the steering wheel engine restarts, so can still hold car on the foot brake and be ready to go. Would imagine manual version has similar steering wheel waggle function.

    Only use stop/start when in heavy town traffic, which is very rare these days.

    Eco mode does make a difference to economy but need to have the 160 horses when towing so eco off.

  • ABIPete
    ABIPete Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited September 2017 #11

    I have a 2014 model CRV. The eco mode only seems to change how hard the car accelerates when recovering speed with the cruise control engaged. I turn it off when towing. With some cars the stop start function can cut off the 12v fridge supply to the socket supplying the caravan. Also an caravan stability electronics. I do not know if the CRV does this as I usually turn that off as well!

    For your information a full size spare wheel just fits in the wheel well. I got one after getting a puncture 130 mile from home late afternoon on Christmas Eve a few year ago!

Categories