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Honda Civic: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
Check out the O-Manual for filling the reservoir. Anyway, the fluid level isn't the cause of squeaks. Have a tech check the pads/shoes for wear.
What's the tread indicator look like? Maybe these Firesucks will last some 35K? Have the fronts checked for air-leaks.
Ask away, my friend.
Enjoy.
Well it turns out that my original PCM was fine and that the dealership did not check to see if my car needed a new one by looking at my cars vin number. Apparently, older 2001 Civics were manuafactured with the corrected PCM and radio. As a result, if you bought a 2001 Civic in late 2000, you may not have a PCM or radio problem. Honda will notify you if your car requires an update. How does Honda know where to find you? For one, your dealer "should have" forarded your info to them at sale time. To ensure, Honda knows who and where you are, I suggest going to the Honda.com website. Under E-Honda and then owners, you can e-register your car. As a result, Honda will be able to send future recall notices directly to you. Here's hoping there are none.
I havn't had much luck with this new civic. The gas gauge is off. The dealer still doesn't have the part yet.
It is not at all unusual to start losing traction even before you hit the indicators. For me, traction is safety and reliability, making that a higher priority over cost.
With the wind noise problem, I insisted that they tighten the door (move the pin) so that the door is tighter against the body when it is closed. That worked on getting rid of my wind noise.
Good luck
--Matt
One more thing... This might be a little petty but.. This morning I took a look at one of the doors and found that it had a fresh 3 inch dent from being "bitten" by another car door. The only place I can imagine this happened was at the dealer as it is obvious that it happened after driving through the last snow. The only place the car had been since then was the dealer's service lot (for 3 days).
First, check your manual transmission fluid level or have someone else check it. There is no dipstick so you have to go under your car and undo a bolt to see if your tranny is properly filled.
Even if full, synchronizers are the weak spot in most manual transmissions ... especially ones driven 'briskly.' People tend to do the 1-2 shift particularly hard.
Whatever you do, don't shifter "harder" than you already are. Try to be patient and, while being firm, shifting into gear a little SLOWER than you've been doing.
Also you may be able to maximize the shift-feel of your tranny by switching to Redline MTL instead if the stock Honda fluid (which is actually pretty good, BTW). This specialty synthetic gear oil has greatly improved the shifting feel of my '90 Integra and '95 Civic Coupe. It can just be a trick to find locally.
Just don't use synthetic MOTOR oil in your tranny as the problem will only get worse. Normal synthetic motor oils are actually too slippery for synchros to do their job so shifting will feel "notchier" than ever and the tranny will probably be damaged over time.
--- Bror Jace
Any info/ideas?
JJ
You can improve handling by starting with better-than-stock shocks, swapping to higher performance absorbers with adjustable damping and rebound rates - all these with a relative price to match.
Just keep it mind - you are still driving a Civic.
Good luck.
Honda compromised the front suspension's performance (using McCheapson struts) instead of their excellent prior layout which could be fine tuned to an infinite degree in order to get a lower hood line.
This was a really stupid move and it has turned me off completely. I'm not sure what's gonna replace my '95 Civic ... but I know it won't be the current Civic.
What's even worse is that they use this cruddy set-up in the Integra's replacement ... the RS-X. The nearest competitor to the RS-X is the Celica GT-S ... which also has the same chinsy struts. Looks like I'm screwed. <:^(
--- Bror Jace
1) Drivers seat squeaked constantly -- replaced the entire seat frame
2) Right front strut made creaking noises when turning right -- replaced right front strut
3) Trunk filled with water when it rained -- removed and resealed the rear window
4) Front seat belts don't retract all the time -- lubed 'em
5) Front windows made squeaking noises when going down, and they were so slow! -- lubed the window tracks and replaced a motor or something else that Honda had redesigned
6) This problem I haven't reported to Honda yet -- When accelerating (I have a 5 speed) in 2nd or 3rd gears, the car jerks ever so slightly. I also have a 99 civic (EX 4 door) that drives wonderfully -- accelerates perfectly all the time. Never had any problems with it.
Has anyone else experienced any of these problems, or am I just the lucky one?
Thanks...
Mechanically, the 2k double-wish setup would be ideal. Then there's the application. I haven't read the issue, but posted previously was that the 2k1 had better numbers (turning radius/ratio and a faster slalom). Assuming/given that, the 2k1 would have better handling regardless of suspension design (considering the new engine dynamics too).
And a lower hood? When is aerodynamics (or styling) a real advantage on the average road.
Enjoy.
The 99-00 models are the same car, the only difference in these years are the exterior color options available. Do you have the same 6th-gen cars? Or do you have a 7th-gen 01 which you bought in late 00 (as the 00 model year has the double-wish fronts with no struts)?
You're right, there are hardly negatives on the last round of the 6th-gens (99-00).
Good luck.
--- Bror Jace
You haven't actually driven the 2001 Civic Coupe EX. If you had, you wouldn't be making those statements that EVERYONE seems to be clinging to when it comes to new Civic handling being downgraded because of the new suspension. The new Civic Coupe EX handily outhandles and outperforms a 2000 Civic EX coupe in EVERY way but one. The one thing the 2000 does better is in a straight line on the highway - it is smoother and handles bumps in a less harsh way. The new Coupe is actually like a sports car in the way it handles. The steering responds to the slightest input - takes a while to get used to - and the car in a corner is great. Your body naturally leans, but the car does not. Why does everyone assume that struts are worse than a double wishbone suspension? Out of the box stock cars are a perfect example. Cars with double wishbone suspensions are sedans - for comfort. Cars with struts are sometimes cheaper, but explain why Porsche and Co use struts... If the double wishbone was really and truly the way to go, it would be used by all performance cars.
I have no idea why some (but not all) of the German manufacturers have continued to use struts all this time except that they are cheap, lightweight and they handle well ... at least when they are new. Has Ferrari ever used struts? I don't think so and last time I checked the better Mercedes cars didn't have them either.
Cars built specifically for racing use the better, conventional "wishbone" layout: CART, F-1, SCCA, etc ...
--- Bror Jace
I don't know about anyone else, but my economy car is not built for racing. It would be a joke if it was. If I was buying a car for racing purposes, it would most certainly not be any Honda. Honda's are economy cars - always have been. Even the S2000 gets decent MPG's.
Like I said - actually drive a new EX Coupe, even on a track if you want, then drive a 2000 STOCK EX Coupe. See which one handles better.
The 2000 one might be able to be tuned up more, but, to me, if I was going to spend thousands to tune up my car, I would have just bought the TT Coupe and been done with it
Struts have their plusses and minuses...camber adjustment is a pain with struts for one thing.
Often a strut brace to connect the upper strut towers is a great way to get rid of weird alignment changes while driving hard.
Question: What are the slalom/skidpad numbers? Has any of the mags done reviews on the same level/trim? The numbers level the playing field.
Suspension is only but one part of the equation, while handling is to the entire car.
I drive at 32psi F&R, adding to the bumpier ride (our minivan is our long-driver). I feel the 00 is smoother over the bumps, but the 01 is more comfortable (softer shocks?) - but all that may be SUBJECTIVE without the numbers.
Either way, both cars drive/ride great for what they are.
Chris
Cincinnati, Ohio
New England got BLASTED with snow on Tuesday.
I shoveled out my civic 3 times.
Anyhow, today I'm back to work. I dug out the car, it started fine, and everything was going great until I got it up on the highway. When I hit 45 - 50 mph, I started getting this pulsation. I could feel it in the steering wheel, and my bottle of spring water was rattling in the holder. I pulled over into the breakdown lane and got out to look at the tires, figuring one was going flat. The tires were fine! I pulled back out, and accelerated normally. The automatic transmission seemed to shift smoothly and normally.
I don't know what the source of the pulse is!
I'm still at work; I'm going to drive it home and see if it happens again. Weird.
It was FINE this past weekend.
HELP!!!!
PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/servicemmy.cfm
Service Bulletin Number: 161100
Bulletin Sequence Number: 157
Date of Bulletin: 0011
NHTSA Item Number: SB615796
Make: HONDA
Model: CIVIC
Year: 2001
Component: FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: SUBJECT REGARDING FUEL TANK CAPACITY CORRECTION. *TT
and then:
Service Bulletin Number: 161200
Bulletin Sequence Number: 157
Date of Bulletin: 0012
NHTSA Item Number: SB615808
Make: HONDA
Model: CIVIC
Year: 2001
Component: INTERIOR SYSTEMS:INSTRUMENT PANEL:GAUGE:INDICATOR:GAS
Summary: INFORMATION ON ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE READING. *TT
I called my dealer's service tech and told him about the above info. I have been having erratic fuel gauge readings for a while, and my gas mileage seems really low (like 20's). He is ordering the Fuel Tank sensor (not sure if that is the actual name of the part) for my car, a 2001 LX, and will replace it next week. It supposedly takes about an hour.
There is also stuff at the NHTSA site about air conditioning problems. I don't know about that yet, but the way things are going with my car, I imagine I will have to deal with that, too. I thought Hondas were supposed to be well made?