2015 Honda CR-V vibration ‘fix’ may result in lost fuel efficiency

CR-V-Vibration
2015 Honda CR-V vibration

 

Back in late November 2015, American Honda Motor Company generated a dealership service repair bulletin addressing the acknowledged vibration reported by consumers experienced in Honda’s 2015 CR-V SUV.

In the 19 page bulletin, Honda dictates a compulsory review of the customer’s unique experience with the vibration, multiple steps to remedy the problem with a step-by-step visual diagram and methodology for said repairs. There’s a lot to it!

My Honda-Torque News CR-V forum has received mostly positive reports as to the fix, yet a handful of CR-V owners remain a bit ruffled, claim their intent to rid themselves of CR-V, while holding Honda liable for lack of disclosure prior to sale.

2015_Honda_CR-V
2015 Honda CR-V liftgate

Granted, not all 2015 CR-V owners will be happy regardless of Honda’s action. With radiator mounts upgraded, transmission main mounts replaced and lift gate harmonic vibration mitigated, two vibration generation components remain, the engine and the CVT transmission.

By “remapping” the engine, and specifically the CVT shift points, vibration generated from the engine is reduced. However, so is fuel efficiency. This may have more to do with how direct fuel injection, specifically low displacement 4-cylinder gasoline engines transmit a harmonic vibration frequency at certain RPM levels.

Best_Selling_SUV
The best selling SUV in North America

The downgrade in estimated fuel economy is marginal, estimated as less than 7/10 per gallon under most driving conditions. However, as reported to us by our readers, greater loss of fuel efficiency is possible.