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Honda Civic Care and Maintenance
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Comments
What free maintenance coupon? I want free oil change too.
bjk
Anyway, how do you get this light to shut off?
Also, anyone in the Indianapolis area interested in an 01 Civic EX sedan, gold/tan, auto 10,500 miles?
thanks
Procedure should be in your Owner's manual. Page 65 of 2002 Civic Owner Manual:
1. Turn off the engine
2. Press and hold the select/reset button in the instrument panel, turn the ignition switch ON.
3. Hold the button until the indicator resets (~ 10 seconds).
bjk
Anyway, I'm missing the point, the car does not have a owners manual. What is the correct weight oil for this model? Also what weight is used in the manaul transmission?
Many thanks for the help,
ruppr
Many thanks for the feedback! I'll contact them.
ruppr
I wish I was able to afford a new EX sedan for wife.
Another question-- I called the 800# on the Civic brochure, where you supposedly can call for all info, and I simply asked whether the Civics require premium gas or the cheap stuff. I was told that info was not available. Would someone please enlighten me?
Thanks
the vin# start with 1HG
PARTS CONTENT INFORMATION
FOR VEHICLES IN THIS CAR LINE
US/Canadian Parts Content:70%
Major Sources of Foreign Parts Content
JAPAN 20%
NOTE: Parts content does not include final
assembly,distribution or other non-parts cost.
FOR THIS VEHICLE
Final assembly point:
EAST LIBERTY,OHIO,USA.
Country of origin: Engine: U.S.A.
Transmission:JAPAN.
As per 2002 owners manual:
Gasoline
Your Honda is designed to operate on unleaded gasoline with a pump octane of 86 or higher. use of a lower octane gasoline can cause a persistent,heavy metallic rapping noise in the engine that can lead to mechanical damage.
Greetings from sunny miami
does anybody have *any* idea why my (May) new 2002 civic LX has a very sluggish ignition??? Occasionally, when i start the car, it would crank for over four seconds (a LONG time; try counting next time you start your car) before starting. Some times, it gets so bad that I have to switch the car off, and then back on again.
of course, the dealership is NO help, since it's under warranty (and they don't get to screw me by the hour). "We can't replicate the problem unless you bring it back *as the problem is happening*," says one genius at the repair shop.
I've been to 2 separate dealerships, with the same answers. ANY IDEAS???
thanks!
-karl
(if you could cc: a copy to karlkwok@rocketmail.com that would be great!)
Greetings from sunny Miami.
I am beginning to think that the only newer Civic to buy is made in Japan.
What does everyone think?
Carrie ~2002 Honda Civic (US made) EX Sedan in Eternal Blue Pearl
Case in point, I'm looking right now to replace the weatherstripping on the trunk, dealer can order it (exorbitanat fee) or try to find it online (almost impossible). Salvage yards have a few but there in worse shape than what I've got.
So what do I do?
Good luck.
Is it advisable to vary my driving speed for the first 600 miles? (Most of my driving is done on the freeway and I like to use the cruise control.)
The manual says to just not brake hard and don't accellerate too fast.
Does anyone know?
Thanks.
-Michael
I'm kind of surprised that the Honda manual didn't mention it. I remember that both of my previous cars had a special break in period, and both owners manuals mentioned that I should not drive the same speed for any amount of time.
Thanks,
Jim
Have not tried the cruise control yet. Will wait that out until breakin period is done.
As far as gas cover not closing I would certainly ask about it. All they can do is quote you a price. May not be too bad.
Changing your oil at 3000 miles is overkill and environmentally wasteful. It also is totally in contrast with the "green" design Honda is trying to accomplish with these vehicles. The only gain is being made by your dealer, he is making a bundle, as he knows Honda does not advise changing oil that often. (maybe you are telling him to do it at 3k, but he does know better) A lot of dealers have made up their own rules to try to rake in the extra dough for their high overhead. Many dealers say change your oil every 3750 miles for Severe service. This is ludicrous and they know it. It is also irresponsible. The best way to service a Honda is follow the owners manual. Severe service: at 5000 miles, otherwise change your oil at 10000 miles. Old methods die hard, and the old adage of: change the oil every 3000 miles, is just not applicable in this day and age. The newer oils are designed for long service and minimal breakdown. This subject has been covered over and over on this board, and all I can say to people that are still confused is follow the owners manual recommendations. Don't second guess Honda, they do know how to service the cars they have spent years designing. Recently I received a E-Mail from Honda on the subject. They basically said exactly what I have said. They also said that severe service is just that, and it doesn't apply to the majority of owners. Do I smell a rat with all the mis-information from dealers.........a resounding YES, and it all adds up to money! It is up to us, Honda owners, to research the facts and not trust the dealer. The bottom line is what does Honda say? Anybody that needs additional information can access:
https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/
It is a site by Honda for Honda owners, everything you want to know about your Honda is there.
I am also a mechanic, and I would NOT recommend using any additives in a newer Honda. Especially Marvel oil, or any other snake oil. Fuel injection cars, which I assume you must have, are easily fouled by additives. Clean unmolested fuel is what they need. These additives rarely accomplish anything but empty your wallet. The valves don't need lubrication, as they are hardened valves. You rightfully remember lead being a component of all older gasolines, but you have forgotten why. The fuel was used for a whole different design of engine than we have today. (namely soft valves). The best thing that the auto industry did was redesign the engines for unleaded fuel. Also using 92 octane is a waste of money for these cars. They are designed and run quite well on the owners manual recommended octane. My manual says that 86 to 87 is acceptable. I usually run 87, have a 4 cylinder Vtec, 2001 Civic EX. Never have I had a ping or lack of performance. So many people use SUPER when it is totally unneccessary.
Many in here are so confused by information they read in this forum. Anyone that really cares about servicing their Honda for a long and economical life, need do one thing only, follow the guidelines in the owners manual.
to change the oil as they recommend at 3,000 miles?
Change your oil more often than the manual required will have no side impact except your $$$. You could save hundreds of dollars oil change fee in the long run, but on the other side some people says that you could save hundreds to avoid having an engine rebuild. My previous 2 cars I sold at 150k and 180k miles none of them had any engine problem and I change oil very 5000 miles.
Honda don't recommend to change the 1st oil too soon, they claimed to have special break-in oil. My dealer mechaincs said it was synthetic blend.
bjk
Any Suggestions???
Good luck with your starting problem. I would try to eliminate as much metal from your key chain if possible. (Someone at work has an older Acura that needed the ignition replaced, dealer said due to too much weight on key chain. They now only keep car key and house key on key chain.)
How many people first changed their oil before the 10,000 recommended mileage and at what mileage?
Going back @ 7500 miles!
I purchased a 1999 Honda Civic EX Coupe today and have a qeuestion. On the driver side door the driver side window switch has a burn mark on it. It is bubbled up slightly and it bugs me. Is it possible to replace this switch? If so where can I get the part and how hard is it to do? Any responses are appreciated.
Thanks
Good luck..
Always lock car with other key so don't have to worry about someone stealing it. Also park within view of where I am stopping at.
Thanks
Secondly leaving the key in the ignition is what a car thief LOVES, The Honda key has an electronic sensor in it so the car can not be started unless the key for that car is inserted into the ignition, which in turn recognizes the key and the car can be started. By leaving the key in, you are making it so much easier for the thief. He just breaks the window out, and is gone before you even have a chance to put the lid on your "Big Gulp".
Good Luck trying to catch a car thief in a Civic with a V-Tech engine. You might be able to see a black streak disappearing over the horizon if you run out of 7 Eleven fast enough.
By the way, 7 Elevens are one of the most likely places to have a car stolen or participate (unwillingly) in a robbery (in my opinion). If you really want to UP the odds, try parking your car at the local mall, running with the key in it. LOL!
Happy Motoring!
Thanks everyone for your advice.
My car slips all the time, those firestones have no traction whatsoever. I have about 42,000 miles and that may have something to do with it, but I can't afford to replace the tires till summer.
By the way, I took my car to the dealers for an oil change and they told me that I needed to get the rear brakes adjusted. Is this normal? Do I need to get the rear brakes adjusted? and if I do need to get it adjusted, does this need to be done every once in awhile?
By the way, does anyone know how much the dealer charges to adjust the rear brakes?
Thanks!
Started car at work, after it sat for about 7 hours and smelled a strong gassy smell for about 1/2 minute from outside front of car I think, then smell went away. Had a little over 1/2 tank full of gas. Always use low grade Exon gas.
Anyone know if this is anything to worry about. Dealership said to just keep my nose on alert and if it happens again to bring it in.
I turn key until idiot lights go out then crank engine (to help avoid hard starts). Could that cause this to happen?
Thanks