[manim]

Originally Posted by abhishek_d_zulu

I am looking for some help on my Civic's steering wheel- it has become increasingly tight.

Is your tyre size regular or upsized?
(could be one reason for the tightness).

[abhishek_d_zulu]

Originally Posted by manim

Is your tyre size regular or upsized?
(could be one reason for the tightness).

OEM tyres... Haven't changed what came with the car originally.

These tyres are in fair condition. I did have someone point this out in recent pas, that a new set of tyres could make the difference. Want to know what else do I need to check, apart from changing tyres.

[coolkurt]

What is the issue? is the steering hard or is there a grinding noise when you turn?

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by abhishek_d_zulu

Hi, I have a 2007 MT Civic. It has done around 35,000 km. I get it serviced from Honda & has been very well maintained. This has been a great experience all these years, but lately the steering wheel has become really stiff.

Since I own a few cars & familiar with the basics, did check the oil levels, belt etc. Everything is in order. Honda says there isn't anything missing, but I know the driving experience has really deteriorated. My alternate garage guy tells me it could be the worn out tyres... But I am not convinced. There is still some thread left & anyways how bad can tyres get at 35k km?

So need to advise from this forum- what can possibly be wrong?

By the way, I nowadays drive a Land Rover Discovery (1998 model, not new), but the steering on that is so good that driving the Civic makes it feel dreadful. I want to go back to loving my Civic:-) ... Need help folks!

I'm assuming your Civic is still on its first set of tyres? If yes, then that's your problem right there.

Tyre experts will tell you that it's not just about the tread on the tyre, it's about the age too. The older the tyre, the harder it gets. Hard tyres will certainly mar the driving experience a great deal.

Your tyres are 7 years old! It's about time you change them. Slap on a new set and notice the difference!

Another noteworthy point, the OE Goodyears that used to come with car are absolutely dreadful.

[abhishek_d_zulu]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

I'm assuming your Civic is still on its first set of tyres? If yes, then that's your problem right there.

Tyre experts will tell you that it's not just about the tread on the tyre, it's about the age too. The older the tyre, the harder it gets. Hard tyres will certainly mar the driving experience a great deal.

Your tyres are 7 years old! It's about time you change them. Slap on a new set and notice the difference!

Another noteworthy point, the OE Goodyears that used to come with car are absolutely dreadful.

Thanks... That coincides then with what my garage guys told me. Any recommendations- what's best for Civic? No plans to change the alloys...

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by abhishek_d_zulu

Thanks... That coincides then with what my garage guys told me. Any recommendations- what's best for Civic? No plans to change the alloys...

We retained the stock wheels but upsized to a set of 205/65 Michelin XM2s. The ride has improved considerably, road / tyre noise has reduced noticeably and grip certainly seems to be better. If you are prepared to shell out 30k for the set, get the Michelins.

[mukeshgoel]

Originally Posted by mukeshgoel

Any more answers to this? I am also facing the same issue.

Exact specific brand/specification please which I can buy from a car spare parts shop.

Got 1 Ltr power steering fluid from HASS @Rs.465/-. I needed 200-300ML but 1 Ltr is minimum packing available.

It is almost a counter sale but they did open a job card with car details with zero labor charge. SA himself topped it up.

[sumeethaldankar]

Originally Posted by abhishek_d_zulu

Thanks... That coincides then with what my garage guys told me. Any recommendations- what's best for Civic? No plans to change the alloys...

You can also consider Bridgestone Turanza ER60. I am running upsized same 205 65 R 15. It will add few mms to the ground clearance but since these are wider the steering would feel heavier and there will be a marginal decrease in the pick up on the start. If you don't want a heavier steering wheel stick with OE size.

[sarathlal]

Is there a way to have the gear position indicated on the display always in 'D' mode?
Currently this stays on, only in 'S' mode and when the manual shift is activated.

Am wondering if something on the lines of program alteration for door locks is available for this tweak.

[civic-dk]

I had taken my 2007 Civic SAT (done 29,000 kms) for Engine Oil Change to my trusted neighborhood workshop. I went for Total Quartz 7000 this time, having read the feedback on this oil, hoping it will make the engine more smooth.

While getting the oil change done, I had the AC Filter and Brakes also checked. Found that there was no AC filter (even then there wasn't too much of dirt there). The mechanic said he had a paper filter for Logan / Verito which should fit Civic and it did. Costed me Rs. 400/- only.

AS for the brakes, I was told that I can run it for another 4 to 5 thousand kms. However, I am noticing diminished braking already. Not sure if I should get it done asap.

Need inputs from other long-term Civic owners on what is the best option for break pads. My trusted neighborhood workshop is saying he will arrange original Honda Brake Pads for me. He hasn't told me the prices yet. Any feedback on TNG brake pads (I believe they are ceramic). They are available at Rs.1,275 each for front and rear brake pads.

[manim]

Originally Posted by civic-dk

Need inputs from other long-term Civic owners on what is the best option for break pads

I had my front brake replacement done (both pad and disc-rotors) at 1,16,207 kms (my second replacement) at H.A.S.S.
It was back in Oct-2012 and the cost were as follows (inc.taxes):
Pad set - Rs.6,616
Disk set - Rs.6,192
Labour charges were an additional Rs.1,180

So the total was around Rs.14,000 for the front brakes alone.

Expensive but worth due to safety reasons.

[civic-dk]

Originally Posted by gaurav_chopra04

I got TRW aftermarket brakepads for cedia, made in germany and that too came in a sealed box. It has explicit instructions on how to install brake pads and that too in 6 different languages. Both front and rear TRWs can now be sourced for under Rs.3500/-

Gaurav, sorry for asking this question after so long. But again, by now you would have noticed how the TRW brake pads behaved. So, my question is, how are the TRW brake pads doing? Is the braking similar to OEM pads? And what about its life?

Sorry for too many questions, but your feedback will help me in deciding whether to go with TRW brake pads or not.

[rugsrags]

Noticed something peculiar while driving back today. The car seemed to be dragging as if the brakes were lightly applied and used to come to a jerky stop while rolling. Got home and on parking the car saw that the rear right side tyre area was making a noise like that of metal cooling on closer inspection saw that there was excessive heat around the area. Scared of the tyre getting affected due to heat I pored some water and the brakes were so hot that it immediately turned to steam. The car was fine in the morning and I ensure always that the hand brake was not engaged while driving.
Apparently the rear brake had jammed. Has anyone ever faced this issue? My civic has just completed 93500 Kms and the brake pads etc were changed at around the 70k Kms mark. Wonder what brought the jamming though.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by rugsrags

Noticed something peculiar while driving back today. The car seemed to be dragging as if the brakes were lightly applied and used to come to a jerky stop while rolling. Got home and on parking the car saw that the rear right side tyre area was making a noise like that of metal cooling on closer inspection saw that there was excessive heat around the area. Scared of the tyre getting affected due to heat I pored some water and the brakes were so hot that it immediately turned to steam. The car was fine in the morning and I ensure always that the hand brake was not engaged while driving.
Apparently the rear brake had jammed. Has anyone ever faced this issue? My civic has just completed 93500 Kms and the brake pads etc were changed at around the 70k Kms mark. Wonder what brought the jamming though.

Please ask your service guys to check the caliper pins. If there is rust/ no greece then these fellows get jammed which hampers the release of the brakes.

[rugsrags]

Originally Posted by laluks

Please ask your service guys to check the caliper pins. If there is rust/ no greece then these fellows get jammed which hampers the release of the brakes.

Have got the car sent to the service center. Had asked them to send a technician home but they were like you can still drive the car. Asked my driver to drive it slowly to the workshop.
Haven't yet heard from them they are checking the car out and will get back to me with the diagnostic. The only thing as yet is that they have identified that the wheel is getting jammed (Einsteins that they are) lol
Lets just hope it isn't something major.