There have been some complaints from taller people (taller than me, it appears) who have a problem where their knee hits the "wings" on the center console (where the drive select buttons are). Followed by speculation about whether they could be modified. In case it helps anyone, here are Honda's disassembly instructions for that part of the trim. [Formally this is the Central Console Panel.] Unfortunately, a) it would look pretty unfinished without the wings; and b) there doesn't appear to be much reason for them at all, which is annoying. I do use mine to hold my cellphone.
P.S. That said, since there is almost nothing inside the "wings", a creative person could modify them. It looks like a $120 gamble (in that parts #12 and #13, which seem to be the replacement parts, seem to cost about that much). https://www.hondapartsnow.com/parts-list/2018-honda-clarity-plug-in-hybrid-4dr-trng-clarity-phev-ka-cvt/console-front.html
That is sad (that they are purely decorative and have no usefulness what so ever) Further leading me to believe the entire center command/console thing could have been better placed - like by dash board maybe, below the screen or some configuration of the two
ROFL Thank you. That is exactly what I was imagining. Now, wth didn't they do that to clarity?? It looks like they got rid of the touchscreen (or moved it up and removed the non-touch screen), as our 2016 has two screens and I guess the control panel now fills the lower one.
I put one of those "sticky dash pads" on the left wing so I can put my phone there without it sliding around. It occurred to me that depending on the thickness of the wing material, maybe a thin wireless phone charger could fit inside the wing and potentially wirelessly charge your phone if placed correctly?
SteveinSD could you post a picture of your phone arrangement on the console and give some more info about the sticky dash pad material? Thanks.
Thanks, SteveinSD. I think your idea is great. I discovered that my phone did not pickup Google Maps as well when it was located in the cubby under the shifter. It seemed to do better when I put it on the passenger seat, but that was not going to work well when I actually had a passenger. Using that spare space on the shifter panel will be just the ticket.
Hi, I actually use a magnetic setup - got mine on Amazon. I use the space on the console next to the shift buttons to attach the magnet (where the red dot is). The kit's metal plate is stuck onto the back of my phone case. The magnet is very strong and holds my S9 in place and the phone just covers the unused fake wood area. I can use it hands-free when driving - but I'll never do that : ) It does not get it the way and is easy to find when I get out.
I thought about that too, but didn't want to stick anything on the wood which might leave a mark. The pad just lifts off, and can be washed if it stops sticking sufficiently.
I agree. I used this space for a variation on this magnetic mount, below. It is not as low-profile but lets you adjust the angle of your phone, and is what I used until recently. (I had to give it up because I got a phone with wireless charging, and the metal plate you have to stick on the phone to provide "grab" for the magnet interferes with wireless charging). Really liked it, and looked classy. Now that Google Maps is on CarPlay it makes it easier to do without this mount, but I still miss it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077GM72BH/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have a similar magnetic phone holder stuck on the left wing. If you put the round metal plate inside your phone case at the bottom, it won't interfere with the wireless charging coils which are in the middle/top. This is the one I have, although I ordered from amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076Q8F57P/ref=twister_B07JHKL1L9?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
Yeah, they are pretty dumb. I am going to drill into one of them on the top to put a phone holder. ProClip has failed and warped the dash.
I eventually got rid of the sticky dash pad and got a magnetic mount too. Looks decent even when the phone isn't sitting on it, and should be easy to remove if I ever need to.
Having followed your idea for the sticky dash pad, I love it. Whenever it gets so grungy that it starts to loose it's stick, I just wash in along with the dishes and it looks brand new.
Where did you get that document? Is there some way to get a copy of the service manual that doesn't cost huge piles of money?
I don't believe there will ever be another Honda service manual now that all the info is online (pay-per-view) at Honda Service Express.
I'm thinking of placing a cable holder for the USB cable on the side of this useless space. Anyone has experience with something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Shintop-Computer-Electrical-Charging-Colorful/dp/B00YJ1CS10/ I want it to be a high quality cable holder. Something smaller and slimmer than the one I show in the link.