VTEC question and a few others on gas, oil, and 'stuff'

[Janizary]

So, I've been really babying my car and finally broke 8500 miles. I have not gone over 4500rpm so far and really want to try a few VTECs. Do you think its okay now?

Oh yeah, do I have to use premium fuel? And my oil change light hasn't come on yet. Do you think it time to change the oil. I heard there is a 'special' break-in oil that shouldn't be changed until the sensor detects its depleted. I want to switch to synthetic. Which one is the best? I've read once you change to synthetic you can't change back to dyno oil. Is that true? I've also read that synthetic is 'too slippery' for our engines until 10K miles. Is that true? Do I have to have the Honda dealer change my oil? They said it would void my warranty if anyone else changes it.

So, while we are on the subject of mechanical questions. I've got a few more. I don't like to use 6th gear. Its weak. Do you think it will damage the engine in the long run if I just don't use it? Will it affect my MPG? Will I have to have oil changes more often? If I use synthetic, will it mitigate any negative effects?

Will my new CAI, void my warranty? I've read about the Magnet/Mossy act elsewhere. Can someone explain that to me? Will this increase my MPG? I've heard it can make you run lean and that will increase your MPG. Will I be able to go further on one bar of gas? How much is one bar of gas, anyway? Is it different if I don't use premium? Which gas station should I use, BTW? I've heard some gas stations cheat on their pump numbers. I don't believe in this 'top tier' gas thing. I think its a scam. I've read some folks have 95 octane premium. How come I can't find that at the gas station? The best I can find is 91 and that is 'standard' grade according to some forum members. What if I can't find 95 octane? Should I use a fuel additive? Which fuel additive is the best? How about straight toluene (sp)?

While we are on that. How do you calculate MPG? I see a lot of folks just guessing based on 'bars' (there's that pesky bar thing again). Or based on the 13.x gallon number in the manual. Is that the right way? I've heard you should reset your trip meter at each fill up? Will that fool the ECU into giving me better MPG? Is MPG miles / tank capacity or miles / fill gallons? Do I have to use the same pump/station at each fill? Does it matter if that fill station is not on level ground? Every time I "fill up" I only get 11.5 or so gallons in the tank. Is my car broken? Will lighter wheels help my MPG?

While we are on the topic of performance. Are there are Turbos out for the Civic yet? Which is better a Turbo or a Supercharger? Will a turbo or super charger void my warranty? Does the Magnet/Mossy act apply here too? Is that valid in Canada? If so, is there an exchange rate issue? On wheels:
What are the biggest sized tires I can use? Will getting 20" wheels affect my performance? Can someone explain rotational mass and inertia? What do the stock wheels weigh? Do lighter wheels really affect performance? Breaking? Acceleration? What about tires? Can I get lighter ones? Can I use my summer tires in the snow? If not, why? Why does Honda charge $200 for 'upgraded' summer tires when they are 'cheaper' than the stock all-seasons if you buy them by themselves? Is Honda ripping us off? Does the dealer keep the stock wheels and tires if you upgrade to the HPF wheels and summer tires? Do you get a credit?

On the topic of HPF stuff. Do I really have to take off the bumper to install the HPF kit? That seems like a lot of work. Does the HPF muffler give any performance increase? If I do my own install will that void my warranty? (see prior questions on warranty) If I just want springs will that damage my struts? I've heard they wear out faster that way. Will that make my ride worse?

On the topic of questionable modifications. How do I disconnect those pesky DRLs? I think they look terrible and I don't look cool enough when they are on. I've read some random 'scientific' study that DRLs actually cause accidents and that they were just a pay off to the light maker so some politician could make some pocket money (oh, I could go on about government conspiracies...all night, yeah, that's the ticket). What about disconnecting the seatbelt chime? Its my life and if I want to fly out the damn window and have my body act as a missile like projectile potentially killing some poor wenches whelp in the process, so be it. You can't tell me what to do, damn you. So, which fuse to I pull? I've heard I should just cut the damn thing out and stick the handle in the retainer to defeat that pesky noise. Anyone try this yet? I bet taking out those airbags would save some weight too. How much weight do you think that would save? You've got front, side, head, knee. That's got to be for .02 in the quarter mile. Silly devices anyway. A 'real driver' doesn't get into unexpected accidents anyway as they have uber leet 'twitch'-like reflexes and super human perception. Well, at least men under 22 do. There should be a different speed limit for old folks over 30. They can't drive.

Oh yeah, VSA. I don't have it on my 06, but I read that 'they' (Honda) can 'sneak' it in when I am in the shop for normal maintenance. Is this true? If it happens, how do I defeat it? I won't have the government tell me how to drive my car. No sir. So, how many folks turn theirs off and 'drive like a man', eh? Damn sissy device if I've ever seen one...hrumph.

So, once I do actually hit VTEC, can the dealer tell if I've redlined my car? I've heard there is a series of clutch pushes and e-brake pulls that can reset my ECU. Is that true? If I abuse my car beyond specs I don't want my dealer to know. What advice does everyone have on hiding damage and or abuse to their car? I've been giving serious thought to street racing and drag racing, and urban auto cross (shhhh) but I won't tell the dealer that. They "don't need to know" and I think they should replace anything I damage whilst abusing my car under warranty.

Speaking of the e-brake. Is there a replacement e-brake handle? This one is poking my knee.

I just know once I unleash the power of VTEC that all my care in babying the car through its 'extended' break-in is going to pay off in spades. There's a DB9 down the street that I know I can take. Fear the power of my CIVIC.

Oooo, Oooo. I have lots of questions about financing, stealerships, credit ratings, insurance costs, monthly payments, and general gripes about law enforcement as well. I'll put those up in another thread.

Oh yeah, if you are going to actually help me out here, please, no more than 2 sentences per reply. I suffer from Bill Nye 'short attention span' AD/HD syndrome and am unlikely to read more than a few sentences so I tend to ask the same questions a lot and I am incapable of using search because I just like to increase my post count and doing anything like having forethought would be against my 'you can't tell me what to do' mentality. But that's okay, 'cause someone is bound to stick up for me since I can't stand up for myself. I'm special.

(Just because these questions are not asked enough...they should all be highlighted in a single thread)

So, its Saturday night. Anyone having multiple partner relations? Send pictures.

Anyone for tennis?

[Kidekat]

Oh yeah, if you are going to actually help me out here, please, no more than 2 sentences per reply. I suffer from Bill Nye 'short attention span' AD/HD syndrome and am unlikely to read more than a few sentences so I tend to ask the same questions a lot and I am incapable of using search because I just like to increase my post count and doing anything like having forethought would be against my 'you can't tell me what to do' mentality. But that's okay, 'cause someone is bound to stick up for me since I can't stand up for myself. I'm special.




Hahahahahaha. This thread is funny.

[mfinlay04]

Originally Posted by Kidekat

Oh yeah, if you are going to actually help me out here, please, no more than 2 sentences per reply. I suffer from Bill Nye 'short attention span' AD/HD syndrome and am unlikely to read more than a few sentences so I tend to ask the same questions a lot and I am incapable of using search because I just like to increase my post count and doing anything like having forethought would be against my 'you can't tell me what to do' mentality. But that's okay, 'cause someone is bound to stick up for me since I can't stand up for myself. I'm special.




Hahahahahaha. This thread is funny.

Yeah me too so I read about 2 lines of your first post and same with this one.

And YES you can rev the car. MY question is why did you wait so long?!?!!?

[Janizary]

There's one born every minute.

[mfinlay04]

i'm feeling sucked at the moment

[dentrecords]

What's a Civic?

[Vince]

Nice :)

8/10

[Tim620X]

ugh... :face-icon

[ajrich]

Originally Posted by dentrecords

What's a Civic?

Haven't you heard of the SEARCH?? jk

ha ha

[Janizary]

Originally Posted by dentrecords

What's a Civic?

See the Urban Dictionary for perhaps the best overall definition.

Originally Posted by Ye source of wisdom in the ghetto

1. civic

1)a japanese economy car
2)a car that teenager's rich parents buy them as a cheap relaiable transportation, but then they **** it all up by putting huge fart cans and spoilers on then trying to drive fast and race everyone and thinking they are really cool but everyone is really just laughing at them ... (Read on Padawan, read on)

Number "4" is particularly 'insightful'.

[XSRCivic]

I think you just broke the Guinness World Record for most questions asked back-to-back from an online forum, also longest post evAr. Good luck with life.

[Janizary]

[M.J.H.]

Search is your friend.

[Janizary]