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Honda Civic Hybrid Owners: Problems & Solutions
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I also drive extensively on weekends, and occasionally on long (200-300) mile business trips.
My option , I think, is a Honda Civic non-hybrid. Does it have the same transmission as a hybrid, or a more conventional one?
Ron
I also park my 06 HCH in the garage and that helps some.
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/honda/civic/100660627/researchlanding.html
">link title
If putting your money in a vehicle is more important than giving your money to the gas stations then a hybrid is for you
Seconded.
To the original poster the short trips in a conventional ICE Civic will have the same effect as the HCH because hybrids are essentially ICE vehicles. Where you will save is in the longer trips you make. In your daily commute you will suffer with either vehicle.
1. When you fill up the car, do you stop at the first click?
2. Did you buy the extended warranty?
Comments:
Catalytic converters fail in ANY kind of car. That's not a "hybrid" issue. CVT transmissions also fail in all cars, and they are used in other cars besides Hybrids.
If you've gotten 140,000 miles out of the car, that automagically eliminates it as a "lemon" because no :lemon: would make it to 140,000 miles.
I think you missed his point. He has had trouble starting around 80k miles. He is not the only one with CVT problems. It is not a great transmission. Many catalytic convertors go bad with non CARB gas. It has a very high sulfur content. The key is how much they cost to replace. The Prius Catalytic Convertor is over $2000 to replace. Not sure what the gouge is on the HCH. By comparison the Catalytic Convertor for a Camry is about $200.
How do I get a new transmission instead of re manufactured? I am especially furious that I have been lied to by people at both the warranty company and Honda corporation. (They both told me initially that Honda re manufactured transmissions had completely new insides - that only the outside case was re used.)
I like my Civic Hybrid in every other regard, but I am loosing the critical sense of trust.
Any suggestions?
1. When you fill up the car, do you stop at the first click?
What is the significance of this question? Should I stop at the first click or keep going?
I drive about 75 miles a day, mostly in rural areas with a few stop lights and slow downs on my 33 mile commute to work (one way). Getting used to the tranny has been interesting. It almost feels like a standard tranny when it starts from a stop or goes from Park to drive. Kind of like it "free wheels" for the lack of a better term. I've also noticed it seems to "lurch" when "down shifting" when coming to a stop (usually when the engine is cold). Anyone else notice anything like this?
Since I've never driven a Honda before, I don't know what is normal or what should be looked at.
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Happy Honda Hybrid owner so far at approx 1200 miles.
The only certain way to determine the exact gas mileage is to fill the tank to the same exact level on each fill up. At most pumps after the automatic shutoff first activates it is possible to squeeze another 1-2 gallons into the tank.
The method I often use is to fill the pipe literally to the brim is time consuming and tedious especially when its cold outside but at least I have the satisfaction of knowing my mpg computations are accurate.
If you fill the tank with 10 gallons on a 500 mile trip that will come to 50mpg. But if you squeeze in another l/2 gallon it will compute to 47.6 mpg, if you squeze in 11 gallons it will be 45.4. This assumes the tank was filled to the exact same level on the previous fill up.
The main point is filling the tank to the same exact level on each fill up, if you can establish a correlation between the pump shut off and the "capping" level that would be ideal but it would be difficult to do.
It still runs but it makes the wierd noise and is jerky. I'm afraid it wil fail while I'm on the road.
For those with the same problem, whats the status of your CVT situation?
is in "golfcart mode". It does it but its subtle. First
the MPG pegs and stays there, the assist gauge will show
assisting intermittently no charging at all in this mode.
Its not a very powerful electric motor, you have to be going slightly down hill or level and forget about
accelerating, the ice kicks in as soon as you breathe
on the gas pedal. Honda says it only works up to 35 MPH
but I've had it do it at over 50.
With the radio off and you pay extreme attention you will actually sense a slight "kick" as the ice starts and stops, like I said its very subtle. This car really needs more bells and whistles like the Prius has.
P.S. its does work better with cruise control on.
Do you know what the part # was for the 06 Accord head restraint? There are several options out there depending on the accord trim level (ie. EX, LX).
I have noticed it too, I have driven the car a couple days since I bought it and it does lurch when coming to a stop .I'm not sure what it is yet,it feels like the motor assist is just about to kick in to help the engine. I'm sure someone has the answer to this.I will find out. I do have an Impala that I am passing to my son in college.
See you later
Chris
exactly what it is. I traded in an 05 HCH which didn't do it so its new to the 06 model. Other then that I really
do like the CVT. It feels like it maximizes the torque at
any speed without too high RPM's.
http://www.highwaysafety.org/news/2006/pr010806.html
I would reconsider getting more used to my vehicle before risking preventable damage to my spinal column.
My 2006 HCH with 265 miles on the odometer does the same lurch at the tail end of a stop. I noticed it coincides with the charging generator's reduction in power generation. When the bars go from 6 to 4 to 1 to none - the car seems to lurch forward.
My theory is that when the generator no longer provides resistance at the tail end of a stop and the brakes are left to their own power the car no longer decelerates as quickly and so it feels as though the car lurches forward.
Just a theory.
Jon
I enjoyed the trip up yesterday. This car has comfortable seats and is very quite inside. I recall reading somewhere that the road noise from the interior was an issue. I guess after driving Jeep GC and F150s for the past 7 years this car is quite to me.
I have noticed the IMA gage can be in the assist mode as late as 50 mph during slow acceleration before it cuts out completely. I have decided one thing after my trip yesterday I will not watch the IMA and MPG gages as I did on my trip yesterday. That will make your brain hurt watching all the information.
So far I feel this is a great car and enjoy driving it. Sorry for any spelling errors.
Rather be in Pungo
Patrick
First the 06 HCH captures alot more regen braking then the 05 meaning more resistance, and the more I think about it
its not like a boost from the electric motor but more
like the cars suddenly not being held back as hard
like suddenly less brake pedal pressure.
If you are right why don't they keep the regen active
until the car is stopped?
Here is a little timeline of my "fun" with this car:
36,000 miles - Surging problem rears it's ugly head. Seems to eventually decrease and go away.
79,820 miles - Catalytic converter replaced (no charge)
80,540 miles - Started to detect 'rumble' and reported it
91,949 miles - 'Rumble' much heavier, reported it. Needed new transmission. Put it on order.
92,925 miles - Transmission replaced (paid $490 labor)
112,194 miles- Transmission fluid changed
130,366 miles- Transmission fluid changed
135,838 miles- Surging returned. EGR valve changed ($380). No change in surging. Surging gradually decreases and goes away around 140,000 miles.
139,000 miles- IMA light comes on. Honda says the battery is dying and needs to be replaced. Still charging and operating fine. Light goes off and eventually comes back on and then goes back off. Currently is off.
140,000 miles- 'Maintenance Required' Idiot light comes on. Diagnosed as catalytic converter needs replacement for $900 + labor. Holding off.
146,964 miles- Slight 'rumble' on takeoff. Transmission fluid changed. Surging returns immediately!!!
I have serious doubts whether this CVT transmission is durable enough for constant interstate driving. I have a 70 mile commute, 60 miles of which is driving at 65-80 mph.
Regarding filling the tank. I usually round up to the nearest 25 cents.
I bought the 75,000 mile extended warranty.
The Regen (as you call it) is simply the engagement of the motor at as high a gear ratio as can be used to safely slow the vehicle while generating current to charge the battery. Since the engine and motor are differentially coupled to the CVT so that who ever spins faster couples through, as the rear axle slows to a stop, there has to be a disengagement, or the engine will be brought to a standstill by the bakes.
motor coupling it would stop the engine when you
came to a complete stop. I really don't fully
understand how it works when regen braking.
The thing is all the 2006's lurch and my 05 HCH never
lurched once, what's the difference?
***
The engine control module (ECM) software in certain 2003-05 Civic Hybrids is improperly programmed, making the engine run slightly lean. Eventually, this can cause the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the instrument panel to come on and lead to failure of an important part
of the vehicle's emission system, the catalytic converter. Also the ECM could misinterpret normal oil pressure rise during the first engine start after an oil change.
Additionally, we will update your IMA battery management system to meet the current specifications
****
Since I've already had one CC fail (June of '04), this seems like a very likely culprit in my book. This sounds like it's Honda's problem. I've e-mailed my service manager with this tidbit.
I would NOT turn the headrest around. Remember they are angled forward and designed to move forward in the case of an accident. What would happen in this case. The headrest would be angled away from your head and it could possibly move backward further in the event of an accident.
Just as a note, the accord headrest is collecting dust in my closet. I got used to the Civic headrests. I suggest trying your best to do the same. It really is the safest option and best looking The accord swap would be the next best thing probably.
Best,
Marc
mcap
The heater did not come with any directions so I can't say how much electricity it consumes, I will try to obtain this info from Honda.
Hopefully it will improve gas mileage slightly but at least I can say i'm making a contribution to cleaner air. I agree with a previous post that the writer didn't mind paying a little more to the electric company and less to the gasoline producer.
Solution: By droppings the transmission down to 2 just before stopping causes the engine to stay on and thus eliminates the delay upon departure.
Is the Civic hybrid any better? I understand the tires are a problem in slippery conditions?
All replies *will* be greatly appreciated, so that I can make an informed decision, not the least about extended warranties.
Ron Stephens
The electric motor cutting off when the wheels slip is caused by the computer trying to keep as much grip on the road as possible, although on summer tires there is not much it can do.
I have driven the Prius in very icy conditions (glazed frost) a few weeks ago. I had to pick up my son, who was stuck in a train station some 100 km from where I live, because of the weather. I found the Prius extremely stable, in a sense even more stable than my Volvo XC/70. Both cars are on winter tires.
I don't know how the Honda would do in icy conditions, I have never driven one, but once again, the fact that it is a hybrid shouldn't make any difference.
Ron
From your tone, it sounds lke you think changing tires for winter is a common occurance. I would never even consider doing this. Do all Civic hybrid users in cold weather territory change tires for winter? If so, that's pretty awful. I was leaning towards a hybrid,help anyone?
I think you have been quite lucky. Just read the following article:
http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/cars/tires/
All-season tires are just a compromise, nothing more that that.
Changing tires twice a year is not such a big deal. If you buy summer tires and winter tires, each on their own set of rims, it will take you 2 x 20 minutes per year to change them. It won't cost you more. Two sets of tires will last twice as long as one set, so in total you spend the same amount of money. On the other hand, if once in your lifetime you get involved in an accident on slippery roads because of your all-season tires, you loose everything "gained" by not using proper tires.
Even if you insist on sticking to all-season tires only, then I still do not fully understand why you concentrate on the Prius or the Honda on their ORIGINAL tires. Nobody will force you to stick to these tires for the rest of your life. Just buy better ones. You could even ask for a deal where your new car would be delivered with proper tires.
I would just concentrate on the cars and there, as I said before, the hybrid concept has nothing to do with stability in winter conditions. I would even say that the Prius seems to be a little bit more stable than a "normal" car, maybe because the way CVT transfers the driving forces to the road? Or maybe the relative long wheel base? I don't know, but I would certainly not refrain from buying a hybrid because of the tires.
All weather tires a good enough on a front wheel driven car, and the Civic handles great in rain and snow. Some all weather tires are better than others, just do some searching online. Remember you loose comfort, fuel efficiency and quiet ride with knobby tires. I’m not changing the OEM (factory installed) tires that came with the Civic.
Have a good safe ride.
Questions:
1. What climate are you in? I.E., what have been your night-time temps lately?
2. How long are you leaving it plugged in at night?
Comment:
You can buy a device that plugs into your wall outlet that will measure "killowatt hours used" of any devide plugged into it. I've seen them at Lowes/Home Depot locations and from that you can calculate how much the block heater is costing you for electricity. It's definitely saving you gas if the AutoStop is coming on earlier in your morning commutes.
Good luck and thanks for posting the info !!
jht
First welcome to the Forum. How many miles do you have on the new CVT? There are owners that have had the CVT go out twice or more. Do you think the new CVT will last a long time?
So far I haven't left it on charge for more than 4 hours as I read somewhere that charging for a longer period won't make any difference, i'll probably get a timer.
It seems like if you plug the heater in while the engine is still warm from driving the dashboard temp gauge will show a max of 4 bars, if plugged in while cold a max of 2 bars. But it definitely results in the auto stop engaging sooner.
I checked at Lowe's and they weren't aware of any gauge showing "kw hours used". I'm still researching it but if you can come up with a manufacter's name i'd appreciate it.
Found this kwh measuring device by Googling "measure kwh"
http://www.hoytmeter.com/pluglogger/plug.html
Manage Your Usage
For commercial, industrial or residential devices that plug into a 110V outlet, nothing could be simpler for analyzing electrical usage than the PLUGloggertm. Not only does this instrument measure kWh, it also calculates the real cost, based on your utility rates. Eight additional functions put the right answers at your fingertips. It's a favorite of the utility industry where the PLUGlogger answers consumer's questions at the touch of a button!"
a) to make a statement
b) for the tax credit and other perks
c) because they’re environmentally friendly
d) to save money at the pump
e) to be the first to own new technology
Please submit a few sentences to support your response no later than Friday, January 27, 2006. Be sure to include your Forums username. Thanks! (wclarke@edmunds.com)
I hope to have one within the week and i'll publish the kilowatt usage results.
I find that the drivers seat bottom makes my bottom sore.
I had a Pontiac Sunfire coupe and never felt a sore behind.
My wifes car is an Olds Alero-leather- comfortable seat.
This is the only thing that I don't enjoy about the car. Does anyone else experience this problem? Anyone have a suggestion?