How do you drive a Type R
Discussion
Dear All
I bought a Civic Type R about two months ago after being thoroughly impressed by the car on a test drive. My shortlist before buying it included a Clio Cup (too small, baggy gearbox, bits came off in my hand), Leon Cupra (too grown up), ST170 (too slow) and Celica (pricy, not value for money). The Honda clinched it on (rumoured) legendary build quality, value, nice interior, fantastic engine and 'box.
However the nature of the car and how Honda say it's supposed to be driven is what's worrying me so I have a few questions for other owners out there with more than two months experience.
Obviously on the test drive I was enthusiatic knowing that no matter how much I punished the car, I wouldn't have to live with it when I went home that night.
Now I have one and I forked out some hard earned for it I find myself being a little more careful. So the first question is this, Will I bugger up the car by driving it around as it was meant to be driven i.e. above 5500rpm? When I do use the VTEC set of cams it's usually to complete a safe overtake or to get up to speed quickly on motorway slip roads, but I find myself having to watch the rev counter at critical moments to ensure I don't bounce it off the limiter. It seems as though as soon as you get over 6000 revs if you blink you'll miss the jump to 8000. I would have thought that the occaisional blast into the VTEC zone does no harm every now and then but is it wise to do this regularly?
And another thing, how do you drive within the law in any case in performance cars? It seems to me that if I was to 'be enthusiastic' on quiet B roads in this car I would only be able to use first and second gear. Any comments from the boys in blue would be appreciated on this one. For example, whilst making safe, swift progress on a quiet B road in the middle of nowhere, would I get nicked if I exceeded the speed limit slightly due to watching the road instead of the speedo? How much of a margin do the traffic police allow in these circumstances?
I've waffled on a bit here, back to the car.
I was basically wondering whether there is any need for molly coddling my new car or is it quite happy for me to let it 'exercise'. It does seem to have one of those little devils sittng on the head restraint saying, 'go on, put your foot down!'
Any coments gratefully recieved
I bought a Civic Type R about two months ago after being thoroughly impressed by the car on a test drive. My shortlist before buying it included a Clio Cup (too small, baggy gearbox, bits came off in my hand), Leon Cupra (too grown up), ST170 (too slow) and Celica (pricy, not value for money). The Honda clinched it on (rumoured) legendary build quality, value, nice interior, fantastic engine and 'box.
However the nature of the car and how Honda say it's supposed to be driven is what's worrying me so I have a few questions for other owners out there with more than two months experience.
Obviously on the test drive I was enthusiatic knowing that no matter how much I punished the car, I wouldn't have to live with it when I went home that night.
Now I have one and I forked out some hard earned for it I find myself being a little more careful. So the first question is this, Will I bugger up the car by driving it around as it was meant to be driven i.e. above 5500rpm? When I do use the VTEC set of cams it's usually to complete a safe overtake or to get up to speed quickly on motorway slip roads, but I find myself having to watch the rev counter at critical moments to ensure I don't bounce it off the limiter. It seems as though as soon as you get over 6000 revs if you blink you'll miss the jump to 8000. I would have thought that the occaisional blast into the VTEC zone does no harm every now and then but is it wise to do this regularly?
And another thing, how do you drive within the law in any case in performance cars? It seems to me that if I was to 'be enthusiastic' on quiet B roads in this car I would only be able to use first and second gear. Any comments from the boys in blue would be appreciated on this one. For example, whilst making safe, swift progress on a quiet B road in the middle of nowhere, would I get nicked if I exceeded the speed limit slightly due to watching the road instead of the speedo? How much of a margin do the traffic police allow in these circumstances?
I've waffled on a bit here, back to the car.
I was basically wondering whether there is any need for molly coddling my new car or is it quite happy for me to let it 'exercise'. It does seem to have one of those little devils sittng on the head restraint saying, 'go on, put your foot down!'
Any coments gratefully recieved
I had an import vtec prelude for 3 years and used the vtec band (once the engine was warmed up) for every overtake, run through the gears etc as it was a bit gutless below it. After about 60k miles of this type of 'abuse' it was just as strong as it was when I got it. The only thing is that you should check your oil regularly as using the vtec a lot caused the engine to use more oil... according to the dealer this was perfectly normal. Make sure you top up with the same oil used in the last service. Also, I wouldn't particularly worry about occasionally hitting the limiter, that's what it's there for. It didn't seem to do mine any harm whatsoever.
Regards,
Mark
Regards,
Mark
Firstly, welcome to the Type-R community. 
I kept well away from Vtec'ing until I'd completed my own determined running in period (the garage said I didn't need to) of 1k miles. After that, providing you keep an eye on the oil level (and even the oil usage levels out after a while) you should be Ok to drive it as hard as you feel safe.
Take time to get used to it, and just enjoy it.
I kept well away from Vtec'ing until I'd completed my own determined running in period (the garage said I didn't need to) of 1k miles. After that, providing you keep an eye on the oil level (and even the oil usage levels out after a while) you should be Ok to drive it as hard as you feel safe.
Take time to get used to it, and just enjoy it.
Thanks for the help folks
A quick one on this oil business...
I'd heard they use a bit if you use the VTEC range so I check the oil regularly. In 2500 miles I've only put about half a pint or maybe a pint in, is this about right. Also I haven't got any fully synth lube at the mo', I topped it up with GTX Magnatec. Will this hurt, should I get some fully synth stuff and if so are there any recommended oils?
Many thanks in advance for the help
A quick one on this oil business...
I'd heard they use a bit if you use the VTEC range so I check the oil regularly. In 2500 miles I've only put about half a pint or maybe a pint in, is this about right. Also I haven't got any fully synth lube at the mo', I topped it up with GTX Magnatec. Will this hurt, should I get some fully synth stuff and if so are there any recommended oils?
Many thanks in advance for the help
The VTeC engines are built to be revved. Once warmed up there is no way you are hurting the engine by using the full rev range (mind and check the oil every week though - heavy VTeC usage causes some oil consumption)
Don't worry about hitting the rev limiter, that's what it is there for
Never driven the Civic Type-R but I'd guess the limiter kicks in around 9000rpm.
My first VTeC Honda was my Civic VTi and was 100% reliable and strong everyday of my ownership. Hit the limiter(8500 rpm) in every gear except 5th in that little thing with no worries. If anybody here has got P850RSX I hope it is going well.
As far as I know Honda have never had a warranty claim on the VTeC system and I've not actually heard of older VTeC engines failing in that way.
More info available at:
www.hondarevolutions.com/
Don't worry about hitting the rev limiter, that's what it is there for
Never driven the Civic Type-R but I'd guess the limiter kicks in around 9000rpm. My first VTeC Honda was my Civic VTi and was 100% reliable and strong everyday of my ownership. Hit the limiter(8500 rpm) in every gear except 5th in that little thing with no worries. If anybody here has got P850RSX I hope it is going well.
As far as I know Honda have never had a warranty claim on the VTeC system and I've not actually heard of older VTeC engines failing in that way.
More info available at:
www.hondarevolutions.com/
Over the last few years I have run firstly a 1991 CRX VTEC followed by an Integra Type R.
Don't worry about the engine! The CRX had done 160K miles and still enjoyed 8K+ revs every day. As others have said, keep an eye on the oil. I would suggest no advantage in synthetics but talk to your dealer's technicians.
I believe that Honda still boast not a single warranty claim, worldwide, on a VTEC engine. This is reassuring in itself but I have heard that, in the odd case of trouble, Honda will fix FOC because of this without admitting fault under the warranty. Just unsubstantiated rumour but nice to know.
B roads and country lanes - great fun. I don't think that the law is the problem though. It's looking out for the other users, from Gaffer Garge clearing the ditch with his barrow in the middle of the road to Jocasta on her pony.
One observation - The current Civic Type R is a fine car but a bit too sophisticated for my taste (I ordered, road tested and cancelled before I bought the ITR) - if you get a chance to try an older VTEC car do so! I just love the binary nature - one minute calm and civilised then just a drop of a gear and you have a manic banshee. I do envy you the 6 speed box though!
Have fun and be safe
Don't worry about the engine! The CRX had done 160K miles and still enjoyed 8K+ revs every day. As others have said, keep an eye on the oil. I would suggest no advantage in synthetics but talk to your dealer's technicians.
I believe that Honda still boast not a single warranty claim, worldwide, on a VTEC engine. This is reassuring in itself but I have heard that, in the odd case of trouble, Honda will fix FOC because of this without admitting fault under the warranty. Just unsubstantiated rumour but nice to know.
B roads and country lanes - great fun. I don't think that the law is the problem though. It's looking out for the other users, from Gaffer Garge clearing the ditch with his barrow in the middle of the road to Jocasta on her pony.
One observation - The current Civic Type R is a fine car but a bit too sophisticated for my taste (I ordered, road tested and cancelled before I bought the ITR) - if you get a chance to try an older VTEC car do so! I just love the binary nature - one minute calm and civilised then just a drop of a gear and you have a manic banshee. I do envy you the 6 speed box though!
Have fun and be safe
I ran an Accord TypeR. The best and most insane car I've owned. I still miss it, after selling for expanding family!
Run the car in carefully for 1000 miles. Be sensible for the 2 to 5k. After that always warm it up properly (let the oil get hot as well as the coolant) and then just enjoy. The Accord bounced off the rev limiter all the time, didn't use much oil and was totally reliable. Always use Honda recommended grade iol (fully synth?) and do the optional half way oil changes.
Honda claim never to have had aVTEC related warranty claim, but I know of one car that had a new short engine after starting to smoke. This may have been down to poor oil.
Honda are IMHO the top engineers and worst marketers. I must say though that my 16k would go on a 6 month old accord rather than a civic. Still whatever suits.
Mike.
Run the car in carefully for 1000 miles. Be sensible for the 2 to 5k. After that always warm it up properly (let the oil get hot as well as the coolant) and then just enjoy. The Accord bounced off the rev limiter all the time, didn't use much oil and was totally reliable. Always use Honda recommended grade iol (fully synth?) and do the optional half way oil changes.
Honda claim never to have had aVTEC related warranty claim, but I know of one car that had a new short engine after starting to smoke. This may have been down to poor oil.
Honda are IMHO the top engineers and worst marketers. I must say though that my 16k would go on a 6 month old accord rather than a civic. Still whatever suits.
Mike.
I believe Honda's claim of no VTEC engine failures relates to the the actual VTEC system ie the hydraulically actuated high lift cam lobes that "lock in" at 5500revs (approx).
This doesn't mean a VTEC engine hasn't had a valve, piston, bearing or similar failure in fact I know they have.
I week to go to the S2000's arrival...
Mark
This doesn't mean a VTEC engine hasn't had a valve, piston, bearing or similar failure in fact I know they have.
I week to go to the S2000's arrival...
Mark
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