It has an eco button. It seems to dull the throttle response, make the cruise control a little more relaxed, and alter some of the climate control operation.
Mike , do you use the Eco mode ? I know I have a problem with driving most cars , because the throttle response is so touchy compared to the Prius.
Yes, I usually use Eco mode. I feel like it's a little easier to shift smoothly, and the cruise control acts smoother too. I don't think so. The dulled throttle mapping in Eco mode probably helps to keep the turbo offline for drivers with heavy feet.
One more photo, with a tent that some of you may remember from a previous adventure http://www.cleanmpg.com/community/index.php?threads/39079/page-2#post-306881. I also used the Eureka sleeping bag that I received from that 2011 trip. It got cold overnight camping at higher elevations, but I was really happy with that sleeping bag's ability to keep me warm.
@seftonm , Do you ever have any issues with ground clearance? /I've got some "unimproved" roads I was thinking about trying with my civic .. // I guess if you get some scraping from up front there's at least an inch or more before that front pan gets forced high enough to actually start contacting the important stuff p.s. I've already done the "lower grill mod" (raingutter mesh installed to try and protect A/C condensor coil from rock damage)
There are some backcountry and logging roads that I know that I won't be able to make it down. Some of them are for trucks only, so I need to keep in mind and know when I should go a different way, both for the sake of ground clearance and for avoiding tire punctures. My bigger clearance problem is probably in winter where I might plow the road a little with the front splitter, but that's not very common either.
Hi Mike: That Milky Way shot with your CIvic upfront was so cool!!! How many miles now and how is she holding up beyond the mesh grille mod? Wayne
I'm around 42k miles now. Unfortunately, the car has not met the quality expectations that I had for a Honda. Nothing major has happened that would make it undrivable, but there have been lots of little issues. My clunky suspension issue has finally been addressed by the Honda Tech line. They had my dealer test drive two other Civic hatchbacks and they both made the same noise, so the conclusion was that the sound is normal and that nothing more can be done at this point. This was after six dealer visits and after replacing most of my front driver side suspension twice. Neither my dealer nor I are happy with this conclusion, but Honda Tech Line is the authority so options seem limited right now.
I'm getting a new transmission. The gear whine sound has become louder recently, so I took the car to the dealer. They investigated and replaced my wheel bearings and transmission output shaft bearing, but that didn't cure it. So the next step now is a full transmission replacement.
Wow. That's disappointing. You've had a lot of problems with this car. Is the whine consistent throughout all 6 gears or is it more noticable in a particular gear (i.e. like 6th gear)? /also, your dealer sure is doing a lot of "shotgun maintenance" .. (hit it with the "scatter-gun" of parts, maybe we'll get lucky) -- not that you can do anything about that, .. // the 'built in India" manual transmission in our cars was my biggest reservation on purchase, .. but mine's been good , ... so far
The whine is consistent through gears 2-6, and rises in pitch as the vehicle speed increases. For those reasons, I thought the output shaft bearing was a reasonable diagnosis. I'm guessing that the whine also happens in 1st gear, but the vehicle speed is so low that it might blend in with road noise frequencies.
If it's parts failing inside the transmission, .. I would think an oil analysis would be in order to verify (or just a drain and visual inspection of the oil). But if the dealer is doing it under warranty, .. I would certainly take a new tranny. thanks for keeping us updated.
A long time ago, .. I took out 5th gear in a manual transmission vehicle by doing long trips a at high (stupid high) rates of speed. (i.e. get-home-itis). I got it replaced under warranty. Twice. Dealership told me not to come back a third time. I slowed down and no recurrence. most likely un-related to your situation, ... just came to mind
Hi Mike: I am so sorry to hear about all the issues and now a tranny replacement. And it s a manual too. Who ever has trouble with manuals and especially at 42k miles? And in a Honda no less! Keep us up to date on this as I am curious what they will find inside. If they tell you anything? Wayne
My last manual Honda had the transmission built in Japan. Highway speeds were often 85-105 ( sorry). Not a single trans ( or clutch ) issue in 229K miles. At least your car is under warranty.