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Honda Civic: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
>thanks!
Finally, and worst of all, in snowy conditions this car has the loosest, most squirrely rear end I've ever felt in a car. It gets a little better with studded tires, but it's still very bad. Feels like the car's going to swing off the road (though it hasn't so far). I think the suspenion pulls to the side a bit in back at speed over bumps, and that translates into a very bad feeling in snow.
i have a 1988 honda civic and i have a similar problem. It has 182,000 miles and when it's hot and the sun has been shining on my car it doesn't won't to crank. When i park in the shade, i have no trouble cranking. Can you help me?
Jim
Dan
2006 Mustang GT
cai,sct,headers,x-pipe,cats,borla,hurst
382 HP
What it does do is disengage the A/C compressor clutch when accelerating. This gives you full power, but the air will warm up a bit when this happens. I'm not sure if there is a threshold for this, but you may want to experiment with a more gentle acceleration to see if this helps.
Regular cycling of the A/C compressor is normal, but does seem a bit more noticeable in the Civic, via the temperature of the blowing air, than I've felt in other cars. I'm adjusting to it, so not really a big deal to me and we've had some 97-degree days already.
Otherwise, here are a couple of helpful tips that may improve your experience.
-As has been stated, it is crucial that you use the Max A/C mode for the initial cool down. This allows the system to draw the heat out of the vehicle itself and not waste time cooling new, outside air all of the time. You must also place the fan on it's highest setting as cold air is thicker and takes considerably more power to move than warm air does.
-It's also important to have the air-flow aimed directly at you. The air should be flowing across your face and upper torso. This will greatly increase your perception of coolness. If you're waiting for the surrounding air (not moving across your body) to take the heat from you, it will take much longer to feel cool.
-If you can, always park so that the nose of the car will be out of the sun, especially the afternoon sun, as heat will soak into the engine and A/C components and it will take a little longer for them to cool down and operate efficiently as well.
It's all rather a personal thing, how cool we feel, but I don't think there are any systemic problems with the Civic's A/C. Your comparison test at least tells you that yours has a very high likelihood of functioning correctly as the odds of two in a row being bad are pretty low. However, if you're still unsure, ask to drive one more and see how it feels to you.
and from my experience, the sound is most like a shock/strut knock, or a loose caliper..., perhaps on heavy systems, a brake pad..(wouldn't be that source on this car...)
I am disturbed to discover it is happening to others. I was advised they "couldn't hear it" and all was correct, after checking and re-torque...I will post on this, and ask any with the same please advise, as I intend to do something about it..
My Regards, ellll
Removed and trimmed the rt. edge, of the trunk undercover.(Three bolts/three clips) It will, on HARD bumps, sometimes contact the bottom of the body, as it flexes too much on the rt side.....also:
Re-set exhaust shields, and removed all four wheel covers...Still no relief. Worth pointing out it is surely "unsprung", (on the wheel or other connecting parts), rather than body..and it is in the "return" travel of the wheel, it seems....that is, a "sharp", "short" shock-travel bump, and the noise seems at the "end" of the bump. not beginning...
Hoping for help on this!!!!!!!
Regards, ellll
Began with mine, an LX Sedan, at 1000 miles...present miles: 2500
There seem also to be a number of possible sources of noise as shown by other posts, and some are of real concern for some people, but I have no other source of excess noise, other than the taps I have fixed myself, and the suspension..(see below..)
I am confused by eastern purchasers who refer to the right side and add "driver" side...but will refer to right and left only, in my posts, as I am USA and drive from the left...(I finally caught on to the right hand driver position in the East...Maybe I am a bit slower than my Honda...!!)
I find that my major complaint, (after trimming off the edge on the airflow under-liner (Wonder what you actually should call that shield of plastic??),by the muffler, which often "TAPS" the bottom of the car RIGHT by the muffler..), is again!!!..STILL the front suspension, or possibly the right engine area.(???) I still believe it is in the right front suspension, however.
It is quite disturbing on a more uneven surface, like patched areas in a highway, and is worse at some 50km speed...Mine noise is ONLY over bumps of said nature, and not at all regular...(I do like the "Tak" referral as to the sound it makes..!!)
All other areas of interest in owning a car have been FINE on my Civic, (inc. mileage), however, for me, and I hope it continues, as I DO really like this car......If I could just correct the tapping/knocking "Takking"right front sus...I would be HAPPY.!!!
My Regards!!,...John
Mine did have a strong chemical smell, noticed more by my wife, for the first month or 5 weeks...She used the somewhat "weak" citrus based things under the seats, and now it seems to be gone even when very hot for the interior...it is about 10-11 weeks since we drove it away from the dealer.....
Regards, to all, John
I went for a DRIVE with the shop foreman at my dealership this morning, and he told me of a man who was so mad that (this) foreman was UNABLE to hear the noise when taken for a test drive on another new Civic with sim. apparent suspension noise..Thats two and another just by word of mouth for possibly three examples, in a county of about 150,000 people...
In my drive, the noise WAS heard and noted, I am glad to say, but was much LESS than I usually hear, ON The SAME ROAD...
I returned this foreman, and tried again, alone, same road, and it was MUCH louder, so:
It becomes OBVIOUS, for American vehicles, at least, that the adding of a passenger on the right side reduces the sound, suggesting that it is indeed likely in the right front, (possibly rear...)wheel and/or suspension. The man whose complaint could NOT be heard is being called by the dealership, for another test...(This is considered a very good dealership...)
I was told however.., NO FIX unless, and until, it runs the "distance" in time, to become a possible recall item...so I am going to a local expert on suspension and alignment for help...
Should we then, find the culprit, I will of course bring it to this forum.
It must be noted that other forums have the same complaint in place, as a thread...and also, note the sometimes extreme difficulty in tracking down "noises", so it is best it seems, to "be nice" about this, and try to work with the company...I will try to do that...
My Regards, John
My Regards, John
Mine hasn't had a brake failure as such, but sitting at a light with pedal depressed..after some 15 seconds or so, the pedal moves down about half an inch more...suddenly...
Is this perhaps related, or a warning I should think about???
Regards, John :surprise:
This is nothing unusual.
Not sure I understand the reply to thread requirement here, but I will just hit two at once...
Thanks for the info on the blown shock..They offered me NO relief however, and said all was fine..and that was in fact, AFTER the tech rode with me yesterday. He accepted the noise; HE could hear it for certain this time...I WILL have that issue examined when I go for the survey by the alignment people..I still plan that, as they will not "mince" around about it...
In addition, the sudden slacking of the brake pedal while being held under pressure is of interest indeed. However, I havn't felt it so "certain", before, and not at all on the two Buick Cent. I own...Perhaps it is the reason I noticed it on the Honda. It is not a cause for alarm, it would seem, and in that case, I have no other concerns with mine...
I will add more on the "tak, Tak,..ing" sound in the front suspension when I get more..
My Regards, John
JC
When I started my car (2002 Civic LX), the word "Brake" was lit up (although my brakes are functioning just fine) and my air conditioner was not blowing cold air AT ALL. Also, when I turned my car off, the "alert sirens" to let me know that my keys were still in the ignition or my lights were still on did not occur. I had someone check the fuses, all of which seemed to be okay. I am very apprehensive about taking it to the dealership and having them charge me my other arm and leg after I just had the 60,000 mile maintenance (the first arm and leg) done 1.5 months ago.
Any ideas on what the problem could be?
Thanks
MissJoi
AND>>> An update on my own, and others, Tak-Tak sounds over uneven surface...usually right front, but often left, sometimes making very loud taps/knocks/taks/etc, etc.....See earlier posts./..::
MY DEALERSHIP still hasn't helped, and frankly, I now would rather have someone else anyway..as I am tired of talking..Don't know as I trust them, so I am going to the high class front end man I mentioned, next week, who feels confident he can remove a bit and work with it, and find the problem...I am willing to pay as required, just to stop the worry...
It now is a bit worse. These facts also are of note: It is BEST for it to be checked by a driver ONLY, (for left hand driver models); ANY weight on the right side damps the sound somewhat, and they will claim the best thing is to "turn up the radio...."..
In addition, if you check the suspension on a rack system that lifts by the FRAME, the natural extension of the strut/spring system ALSO(!!)damps the problem..NOTE!!!...:
Mine can be heard slightly by raising on a lift that supports the WHEELS...(Drive-on lift, with tires on the surface...(Harder to find these days it seems),...as the wheels remain in the position NORMAL for driving the auto on the street...),and by using a rubber mallet on the frame members. (It is totally damped on a frame support lift, so you can't hear it...)
Thats why the ft. end man believes he can find it if given a few days...He has an alignment lift that extends all the way up so you can walk under...
Sorry for long post..Regards!! John
I was wondering if anyone could help me....? After driving for about 15-20 mins a high pitched sound begins seemingly coming from the front of the car. It is not constant, but does seem to be influence by a small amount of movement to the steering wheel-------straighten up to the right and sound appears, correct to the left and it disappears. Most noticeable on the motorway, radio blocks it out!
Cheers ;-)
Example on for 10 seconds, off for 40 seconds and back on again, what ever times you get.
Thanks
What is the general overall feel of the 06's? I know it look good and drives well. It's NA Car of the Year! But is it holding up compared to other Hondas? I want to buy in Sept./Oct. Should I wait for 07 Civics? :confuse:
EXCEPT !!!!.. the difficult to find "tak tak" in the front right suspension. I have found even front-end experts are not sure what to do other than item-to-item replacement, which can become very expensive, and I am now better aware of where to continue looking, than any techs I can find. I intend to find it myself, over the next few months, working on it when I have an opportunity, and believe that I can find it...
I do believe my dealership could have made a bigger effort, but I don't know their limitations yet, having never bought from them before.
I do believe that in general, the car is not a milestone other than general design; Others have problems, and there seems to be some controversy as with any complete re-design.
I cannot at present, say I would buy the same car again, but I believe I might, given the "nice and neat" appearance. I do think I might have been happier with the SI or even EX..
Regards, All...John