Raising the top with engine off / on?
Joined: Aug 2012
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45 mph? Seriously? That seems quite extreme. I can see 20 mph, but much more than that seems like a lot of stress on the top. The mechanisms, joints, motor, fabric mounts.
Just because the top doesn't fly off doesn't mean no damage is occurring.
Just because the top doesn't fly off doesn't mean no damage is occurring.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,663
Likes: 235
From: West Los Angeles, CA
Before operating the convertible top,
make sure the vehicle is parked on
level ground, the rear defogger is off,
and there is enough clearance above
the top.
It says parked, but I don't think that necessarily means engine off. I have done both (raise/lower with the motor running and the motor off) with no ill effects. *shrugs*make sure the vehicle is parked on
level ground, the rear defogger is off,
and there is enough clearance above
the top.
If you bypass the speed sensor then all you need to do is pull the emergency brake up one click (enough to light the light on the dash) and you can raise or lower the top while moving. A scenario in which this might be useful is when stuck in stop and go traffic on the freeway that moves every few seconds but isn't at a complete stand-still for more than 5 seconds at a time.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,663
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From: West Los Angeles, CA
OP: Just for grins, I pulled the owner's manual PDF for a 2000 MY. I see the manual does say the car needs to be off. However, that bullet point is specifically NOT in the owner's manual for the 2007 MY. So it's clear that Honda removed that particular recommendation. Don't know when. Don't know why. Don't actually care. If it was a problem to operate the top with the car running, I believe they would have made it so you *can't* do it (like raising and lowering while moving, for instance). That's just a supposition on my part. As previously mentioned, I've done it both ways with no problems.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2013
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OP: Just for grins, I pulled the owner's manual PDF for a 2000 MY. I see the manual does say the car needs to be off. However, that bullet point is specifically NOT in the owner's manual for the 2007 MY. So it's clear that Honda removed that particular recommendation. Don't know when. Don't know why. Don't actually care. If it was a problem to operate the top with the car running, I believe they would have made it so you *can't* do it (like raising and lowering while moving, for instance). That's just a supposition on my part. As previously mentioned, I've done it both ways with no problems.
I will no longer hesitate to drop the top with the engine running!
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,663
Likes: 235
From: West Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted by RMurphy' timestamp='1386706462' post='22916323
OP: Just for grins, I pulled the owner's manual PDF for a 2000 MY. I see the manual does say the car needs to be off. However, that bullet point is specifically NOT in the owner's manual for the 2007 MY. So it's clear that Honda removed that particular recommendation. Don't know when. Don't know why. Don't actually care. If it was a problem to operate the top with the car running, I believe they would have made it so you *can't* do it (like raising and lowering while moving, for instance). That's just a supposition on my part. As previously mentioned, I've done it both ways with no problems.
I will no longer hesitate to drop the top with the engine running!
(hint: RMurphy is female.)
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,094
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From: Sacramento, CA
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,663
Likes: 235
From: West Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted by RMurphy' timestamp='1386706786' post='22916337
[quote name='texture' timestamp='1386706542' post='22916325']
Thank you Mr. Murphy,
I will no longer hesitate to drop the top with the engine running!
Thank you Mr. Murphy,
I will no longer hesitate to drop the top with the engine running!
(hint: RMurphy is female.)
[/quote]
Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, ya sandal-wearin' Miata boy.
OP: Some folks do fill in the gender info that displays on the left side of the screen and other people sometimes read it. I can't fault you though. I never read signature lines either.