Got a couple of questions... I haven't seen anything about mudflaps in the honda accessories books, are they made for the 2002? Front and rear?

Also, I noticed when hand washing the car over the weekend that soapy water was inside the rear taillight assembly between the clear outside cover and the actual lights. Not a lot, just a little. Older BMW's used to have problems with this also. Has any one noticed this. We have about 500 miles on this 2002.

Also, as this car will probably be a year-round daily driver, any one have any experience with winter (snow) tires. We traded in a Miata which we had a hard top and snow tires for. Any comments would be helpful.

Also for you folks that change your own oil... It looks easy with the filter and drain plug quite visible. It is necessary to ramp the front end to get to it because it so low?

Thanks for all your info.........

 

kctl,

I also just got a new 2002, 195 miles. I would also be interested in some type of nice, well designed, form fitting mud flaps for both front and rear. I have always tried to use these on my cars to protect the door sills and under side of the rear fenders.

Thanks

 

I can't say about '02 but for '00 & '01 Honda does NOT make dedicated mud flaps for these cars. I have driven this car for 1 year now (including Calgary winters) and I must say that the design of this car "hides" the tires well enough that "sand blasting" behind each wheel is not a great concern. If you really must, then get generic mud flaps of the proper size.
The water you see is NOT actually inside the light assembly but only beside it. If you're worried about it just hold an absorbant cloth on the seem and the water will wick out.
If you have snow that stays on the roads then Blizzaks are a good choice. I run these in stock sizes on the rear and Goodrich Winter Slalom in stock sizes on the front. The OEM tires don't grip that good when the temp gets close to freezing even if you don't have accumulated snow on the roads.
Oil changes are no problem. Make sure you have a new crush washer on hand for the drain plug (if you're worried about it). I re-use the crush washer a couple of times with no problem. Just make certain that it stays on the plug in the same direction as when it came off. I don't use ramps. I jack up the right side, reach under (use jack stand) to undo the drain plug, then lower the car so it can drain properly. The oil filter can be reached from above. When it's done draining, jack up the car again, re-install the plug, lower the car, fill with oil, run car for a couple of minutes, let sit for a few minutes, re-check level.

 

Congratulations on your new car. I can't answer the snow question - FL has a shortage, fortunately.

As for the mud flaps, I've never seen them...but I have an '00 and not one mark from the tires kicking up whatever we drive thru - and the car's been a daily driver.

I change my own oil...but since I have the chin spoiler it is very difficult to 'jack'..ramp, etc...so I just leave the car flat and change it by reaching up under for the drain plug and 'down through' for the filter.

Happy driving!

John N