Why An Electric Honda Civic Hyrbrid Is Better Than Using Alternative Fuel

Electric cars have been around for a long time. In the early 1900s, there were more electric cars than gasoline cars. This was because gasoline was very expensive. It was also difficult to start a gasoline engine; there was no key to turn and start the car like there is today. To get the car to start, you had to turn and turn a crank in front of the car before it would start.

Electric cars were popular, at one stage there alot of them being driven on the roads of the United States. This was because gasoline vehicles were very noisy and put out a lot of smoke. The cars either had no mufflers, or the mufflers were not very good.

Electric cars soon faded away. New ways to make gasoline were being discovered. The electric starter was invented, this started a car with a key instead of the crank. A gasoline car could travel further distances than the electric cars. Therefore, gasoline cars soon become the popular method of transportation. Now that there is push towards cleaner cars, electricity and electric cars are again being looked at as ways to reduce pollution and greenhouse gases from being released into the environment by gasoline.

Electric cars do not burn gasoline. They use electricity stored in batteries. In these electric cars, the battery is used to run the motor which then turns the wheels. It may take up to 12 or 24 batteries to power the car.

To charge these batteries, the car is usually plugged in at night. Some cars can plug into a regular electrical wall outlet. Other cars need a larger outlet, similar to one a stove may plug into. The electricity is then stored in the batteries in the car.

There are different types of batteries for different cars. Some batteries can be lead acid, like batteries found in a flashlight. Or they could be ni-cad (nickel-cadmium) like batteries found in a portable video game player -- only they will be much larger. Better batteries that can last longer and hold more energy are constantly being developed. Most electric cars should be able to travel 150 to 200 miles before needing to be recharged.

Car manufacturers and scientists are constantly coming up with new ideas and ways to run our vehicles in a cleaner, more environmentally friendly way. The production of the electric car is an exciting one that growing and is being embraced by more and more people every day.

Some Simple Ways To Save Fuel

Who would have ever thought that gas prices would almost triple in the last 4 years? When my family and I last moved, gasoline was around $1.39 per gallon. Today, we’re excited to find it for less than $3.50. Even though it’s high, it still isn’t at a record high when adjusted for inflation. Still, I’m looking for every avenue possible to save a couple of bucks at the pump.

Here’s a few things you and I can do to ease the pain at the pump:

1. Plan your route to maximize your RIGHT turns. Companies such as UPS and FedEx have discovered that planning their delivery routes to maximize right turns has lowered their fuel expense. Since drivers are able to make a right turn even if the stop light is red, maximizing right turns results in less idle time. When a vehicle is idling, it’s getting zero miles per gallon. We aren’t used to planning our routes as consumers, but altering this behavior can save quite a bit of gas.

Also plan your trips better by combining errands. Making unnecessary trips only wastes gasoline. So don’t drive unless you have to.

2. Use smooth starts and stops. You’re not at the Talladega 500. Unless you have a true medical emergency, jackrabbit driving only saves a few minutes anyway, but it costs you significantly more in fuel. Some experts say you can save up to 33 percent in fuel by altering this one behavior.

3. Keep it under 60, even on the interstate. According to the EPA, you can assume that each 5 mph. you drive over 60 mph. is like paying an additional 20 to 25 cents per gallon of gas. Wow!

4. Check your tire pressure every couple of days. If you drive with underinflated tires, it’s like running laps around a track while wearing 10 pound shoes. Underinflated tires can guzzle 4% to 10% out of a car’s potential gas mileage. Check inside your glove box, inside the door frame, or the owner’s manual for the correct tire pressure and remember that it may be different for front and rear tires. Check the pressure when the tires are cold. When you have to replace your tires, buy the set with the least amount of rolling resistance to further increase your fuel savings.

5. Go ahead and stop on those yellow lights. Research shows that drivers tend to stomp on the accelerator to get through a yellow light more quickly and this uses far more gasoline than idling at the light.

6. Drop some weight. Every extra 100 pounds drops your MPG’s by a couple of percentage points. Those golf bags, tools, bowling balls, books, and other miscellaneous things you keep in the trunk are costing you big bucks.

7. Change those dirty filters. According to the FTC, changing your air filter alone could increase your miles per gallon by 10 percent.

8. Change your oil. Dirty oil increases the resistance on the inside of your engine and more resistance equals poorer gas mileage. Use the lightest grade of oil recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. A multi-viscosity oil such as 5W30 can save gas compared with regular 30-weight oil because it creates less friction. The engine doesn’t have to work as hard.

9. Cars run more efficiently when they are kept in tune. It often makes sense to get them tuned more often than the manufacturer recommends. But don’t worry, you might can do some of the work yourself. For example, spark plugs can be easily checked and cleaned or replaced, and the simple act of pouring a bottle of fuel-injector cleaner in the gas tank every six months or so can help the engine maintain peak efficiency.

10. Coast whenever possible. Don’t accelerate up to a stop. Use gravity and inertia to help increase your MPG’s.

Are You Looking For A Used Honda Civic? Here Are Some Tips In Searching For Any Used Car

With new cars getting out of hand of the normal joe, consumers are now increasingly turning towards the used car market. However, used cars too are commanding a high price. You do have a vast range of used cars to decide from, as there are a very huge number of used car outlets all over.

However, buyers have to exercise caution while purchasing a used car, since the cars might not have been handled properly by the owner. You need to ensure that you are getting value for your money.

You may go through the tips mentioned here for the buyer of a used or new car.

Visit as many used car outlets as you can to look for the right deal.

Gather information on different cars and the concerned dealers. It is better to approach a reputed dealer from whom you can expect a fair deal.

The used car market is a buyer's market. So you can be prepared to be treated well. You may be offered special deals. You may be offered rebates, discounts and payments in installments, or even free service.

Scouring the used car market is an exercise in patience. You should not hurry your purchase lest you get a bad deal. There is a lot at stake for you, since used cars do not come cheap.

Plan your purchase in advance. The time factor is important in looking for the right car. Give yourself enough time before you close a deal.

If you are buying a brand new car, there is no need to worry about the wear and tear. The wear and tear factor is a major concern in the case of a used car. So, you need to take care on this account when you are scouting for a used car.

You can take advantage of the Lemon law, if you think that you have been sold a used car under a false pretense. The Lemon law (USA) protects you if your car does not work the way it should. The Lemon law may differ somewhat from state to state, but the underlying purpose is to protect consumer rights.

Another good suggestion is to buy a used car from a friend or acquaintance. You would be sure about the car and the way it has been maintained. Buying from dealers or an unknown person is always fraught with risk. Look around for people, who are selling not because their car is giving trouble, but for the reason that they are buying a new car.

Always inquire from friends who you know have purchased a used car. They may help you and guide you to the right outlet, if theirs had been a nice experience. They may also help you with the entire procedure. This will save you a lot of time and effort in locating the right place for used cars.

It is important to gather as much information as you can about different makes and models of cars. It is not necessary that you may find the car of your choice. You may have to settle for another make and model. The internet can help you in this regard. Go through the plethora of information available on different car companies and the models. You will find out the strong as well as weak points of each car. This can help you in making your mind up to the kind of car you should purchase. Some cars are known for problem suspensions or electrical systems. Buying such a car can have you spending extra on repairs.

It is a good idea to gather as much information as possible about your chosen car, there maybe common faults that you where not aware of previously, information is key. The more information you have the better well armed you are and the more successful you will be in buying your chosen car.

The Civic's History Part 4

1996-2000

A revamped Civic lineup debuted for 1996. The new body featured larger light clusters fore and aft, a grille (chrome-accented on sedans) and a crisp character line that ran the length of the car. Hatchbacks now had the 103.2-inch wheelbase of the coupes and sedans, and overall length was up around 2 to 4 inches, depending on body style.

Sedans were again offered in DX, LX and EX trim levels. A new coupe, the HX, joined the DX and EX coupes. The HX coupe essentially replaced the VX hatchback, offering high mileage figures from a fairly powerful engine. The revised VTEC-E engine (now at 1.6 liters) in the HX put out 23 more horsepower (for a total of 115 ponies) than the previous version but now "only" scored mileage figures of 39 in the city and 45 on the highway. A gearless continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that promised seamless performance and manual-transmission fuel economy was introduced later in the year as an option for the HX. The hatchback lineup was trimmed down to two models, the CX and DX. A new 1.6-liter 106-horsepower engine that earned Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) certification powered the CX, DX and LX, and a slightly more powerful 127-horsepower VTEC-assisted version was found in the EX models.

Excluded from the redesign, the del Sol was now in its fourth year and got a host of tweaks to keep it current. The base model (S) got the new 1.6-liter 106-horse engine fitted to the new Civic, Si models got the beefier suspension of the VTEC, and all versions got a freshened front fascia.

In 1997, all Civics came with 14-inch wheels, DX models got full wheel covers, the LX sedan received air conditioning and, strangely, EX coupes with manual transmissions no longer had the option of antilock brakes. As this would be the last year for the del Sol, Honda made no changes.

Not much happened in 1998, save for new wheel covers, an exterior handle for hatchbacks and the addition of map lights.

A slightly revised front fascia and taillights, along with redesigned climate controls updated the Civic for 1999. A "Value Package" for the DX sedan debuted that included features that most buyers wanted, such as air conditioning, a CD player, power door locks, automatic transmission and keyless entry, at a substantial savings when compared to the separate option prices.

Midway through the year to the joy of pocket-rocket enthusiasts everywhere, the Civic Si returned, now in the coupe body style and sporting a potent 160 horsepower from its 1.6-liter VTEC engine. A firmer suspension, front strut tower brace, 15-inch alloy wheels wearing 195/55R15 rubber and four-wheel disc brakes completed the hardware upgrades for the Si. A front spoiler, side sills and subtle bodyside graphics set the Si apart from the other Civic coupes, and the standard equipment was generous and similar to that of the EX.

Other than the shuffling of paint choices, the Civic stood pat for the year 2000.

Current Generation

The biggest news is the availability of a Hybrid Civic sedan, which has a more powerful gas/electric powerplant system than in Honda's groundbreaking Insight. This environmentally friendly vehicle offers the room and comfort of a Civic sedan with mileage estimates of 46 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway. Although Toyota brought out its four-door Prius hybrid a few years prior to this Civic's debut, Honda loyalists now have a practical hybrid they can call their own.

There are now three body styles to choose from: coupe, sedan and hatchback. Conservative styling for the sedan and a slightly more aggressive approach for the coupe help to differentiate these two body styles, while the hatchback presents a snub-nosed, city-car look. The hatch is only available as the sporty 160-horsepower Si, while the others are available in familiar DX, HX, LX and EX trim levels.

A more spacious cabin features Honda's trademark large, simple controls but greater use of hard plastic trim seems to indicate that the company may be resting on its laurels a bit.

The newest Civics ride on a stiffer platform that decreases chassis flex and thus provides better handling and increased crash protection. But to the chagrin of hard-core enthusiasts, Honda replaced the front double-wishbone suspension setup with a more space-efficient McPherson-strut setup, which isn't as easy to "slam" as the double-wishbone design. Steering now boasts a quicker ratio along with variable power assist, which makes parking easier while allowing more road feel and response during spirited driving.

Under the hood, the engine's size has been increased slightly (from 1.6 to 1.7 liters) to provide more torque, and transmissions were tweaked for improved shifter feel and greater efficiency.

The Civic's History Part 3

1988-1991

A sleeker and more powerful Civic lineup debuted in 1988. All Civics (except the CRX) rode on a longer 98.4-inch wheelbase. The CRX's wheelbase was increased to 90.6 inches.

A lower hoodline, increased glass area and lower wind drag were functional advantages of the sleeker body styles. A family of new engines complemented the stylish Civics. Power for the DX hatchback/sedan, new LX sedan and the wagon came from a 1.5-liter 16-valve engine that produced 92 horsepower. The base hatchback had a less powerful 70-horsepower version of that engine. The fuel-economy champ CRX HF had an eight-valve 62-horse version of the 1.5 that could go up to 56 miles on a gallon of gas. The standard CRX had the 92-horse engine. A high-performance 1.6-liter 16-valve engine that kicked out 105 horsepower was installed in the CRX Si and Civic 4WD wagon. All Civic engines were now fuel injected. Previously, only the "Si" models had the injection.

A double-wishbone suspension system was used at all four wheels. Inspired by Formula One race cars, this design promoted agile handling and a comfortable ride by precisely controlling wheel travel and keeping the tire's contact patch square to the road surface.

One model departed (the Civic Si hatchback), as a new one, the Civic LX sedan, was introduced. The LX loaded up a Civic sedan with features such as power windows, locks and mirrors; a tachometer; and intermittent wipers. U.S. production for the Civic began this year in Ohio, making it easier for Honda to satisfy America's appetite for its gem of a small car.

The Civic Si hatchback returned for 1989, now with a power moonroof and once again with the same potent engine (increased to 108 horsepower for this year) installed in the CRX Si and the 4WD wagon.

Revised bumpers and taillights identified the 1990 Civic. Hatchbacks received larger reverse (white) lights, and sedans adopted a horizontal taillight theme. An EX sedan joined the Civic family and took its place at the top of the sedan lineup. The EX had the Si's engine, 14-inch wheels and all the features of the LX (which now included cruise control). Four-wheel disc brakes appeared on the CRX as did a slightly revised dash-board (with softer corners and larger instruments) for all Civic models.

The 1991 Civics were virtually unchanged, and this was the last year for the spunky CRX.

1992-1995

Along with acquiring a more aerodynamic wedge-shaped body, the Civic was expanded in dimensions and trim levels for 1992. Wheelbases now measured in at 101.3 inches for the two-door hatchback and 103.2 inches for the four-door sedan. The wagon was dropped.

Trim levels for the hatchback included the CX, DX, VX and Si. The CX was fitted with a 1.5-liter 70-horsepower engine; the DX with a 1.5-liter 102-horsepower engine; the VX with a 92-horsepower 1.5-liter with variable valve timing tuned for economy (VTEC-E); and the Si with a 125-horsepower VTEC engine. The VX, which also came with lightweight alloy wheels, managed fuel economy figures of 48 in the city and 55 on the highway — nearly the same as the old CRX HF in spite of 30 more horsepower and five-passenger capability. Sedans came in the same trim levels as before: DX, LX and EX (which added a power moonroof to its list of standard luxuries). The DX and LX had the 1.5-liter 102-horsepower engine, and the EX sported the 125-horse 1.6 from the Si. A five-speed manual was standard across the board, and a four-speed automatic was optional on the DX hatchback and all sedan models.

The level of safety increased with the new Civic via a standard driver-side airbag for all models and standard antilock (ABS) brakes on the EX sedan.

A two-door notchback coupe, which shared its 103.2-inch wheelbase with the sedan, debuted for 1993 and was offered in DX and EX trim levels. The DX was outfitted the same as the DX hatchback, and the EX coupe had the same features as the EX sedan, including the 125-horse engine and power moonroof. An option package for the EX coupe added a passenger airbag and high-power stereo with cassette player. The EX sedan had a few more items added to its already generous standard features list, including air conditioning and the high-power sound system with cassette player.

Also this year, the del Sol debuted as a belated replacement for the CRX. Built on a wheelbase 8 inches shorter than a Civic hatchback's, the del Sol featured a removable targa-style top, a snug two-seat cockpit and one of two engines, either the 1.5-liter unit with 102 horsepower or the 1.6 sporting 125 ponies, depending on whether one chose the base S or more sporting Si version.

1994 brought safety advances and an LX version of the Civic sedan. A passenger-side airbag became standard on all Civics, and antilock brakes were now optional on the EX coupe, Si hatchback and LX sedan. The new LX sedan filled the gap between the basic DX sedan and loaded-to-the-gills EX. Power windows, locks and mirrors; cruise control; a tachometer; a stereo with cassette player; and 14-inch (versus the DX's 13-inch) tires were all standard on the LX.

On the del Sol front, a new model debuted called the VTEC. Named after its 1.6-liter DOHC engine that boasted a sizzling 160 horsepower, this del Sol came with bigger brakes, a firmer suspension and high-performance (195/60VR14) rubber. Apart from the addition of a passenger airbag, the rest of the del Sol line continued as before.

There were no changes for the 1995 Civics except on the del Sol models, which got a few improvements. Upgrades included standard antilock brakes for the VTEC, power locks for the Si and VTEC, and a remote trunk release for all trim lines.

The Civic's History Part 2

1980-1983

A new, sleeker body and increases in wheelbase and base-model engine size marked the 1980 Civic. The wheelbase now measured 88.6 inches for the hatchback (the two-door "sedan" was dropped) and 91.3 inches for the wagon. All Civic engines now used the CVCC design; the base 1,335cc ("1300") engine made 55 horsepower, while the 1,488 ("1500") produced 67 horsepower. Three transmissions were offered: a four-speed manual (on base models), a five-speed manual and a two-speed automatic.

The Civic 1300 and 1500 came in base and DX versions, and the latter featured a five-speed manual, rear window defroster, intermittent wipers and a cigar lighter. The 1500 GL added radial tires, a rear window wiper/washer, tachometer, clock and bodyside moldings. The Civic wagon came in a single version that was tantamount to the DX trim level.

A four-door sedan debuted for 1981, as did a three-speed automatic transmission that replaced the primitive two-speed unit.

Rectangular headlamps and black bumpers appeared on the 1982 Civic. A new gas-sipping model, the five-speed "FE" (Fuel Economy) was introduced and was rated at 41 mpg in the city and 55 mpg on the highway.

The sporty new Civic "S" replaced the 1500 GL in 1983 and was fitted with a firmer suspension (with rear stabilizer bar) and 165/70R13 Michelin tires. A red accent encircled the S and set it apart from the other Civics.

1984-1987

The Civic grew up in 1984, not only in size, but also in terms of design sophistication. A new wheelbase of 96.5 inches represented an increase of 5 inches, making Civic four-doors and wagons identical to the Accord in this dimension. A new 1.5 liter-engine (formerly referred to as 1,500cc) with 12 valves (three valves per cylinder) and 76 horsepower was found underhood, except on the base hatchback, which had a new 1.3-liter 60-horse unit. Transmission choices were the same as previously: four- and five-speed manuals and a three-speed automatic. A revamped suspension, though no longer with an independent rear setup, offered a space-efficient design along with fine ride and handling characteristics.

The lineup consisted of three hatchbacks (base, DX and S), a sedan, a tall wagon and a new two-seater called the CRX. As before, the base car was fairly spartan. The DX came with the five-speed manual, bodyside moldings, a split/folding rear seat, rear window defroster/wiper/washer and tilting steering wheel. The S had sport seats, reclining rear seats and the same hardware upgrades, such as a rear stabilizer bar, as before. The sedan and wagon were again equipped similarly to the DX hatchback.

The new CRX was basically the Civic chassis under a sporty body. Two models were offered: the base CRX and the CRX 1.5. The chief difference between the two was that the base CRX had a 1.3-liter engine (which allowed the car to score amazing fuel economy ratings of 51 in the city and on the 67 highway) and the CRX 1.5 had the 1.5-liter engine. All CRXs had a two-tone paint scheme, comprised of White, Blue or Red with a Silver lower bodyside and bumper treatment.

A neatly chiseled exterior devoid of gimmickry, an intelligent interior design with supportive seats, large gauges and high-quality fit and finish made the 1984 Civic line attractive and an immediate success. Dealers would routinely have slim pickings on their lots, and, as a result, they didn't have to discount the cars too much, if at all.

Introduced in 1985, the hot-rod CRX Si came ready to run with a fuel-injected version of the 1.5-liter engine that pumped out 91 horsepower. Able to hit 60 mph in less than 9 seconds, the Si also boasted handling enhancements, such as 14-inch alloy wheels with 185/60R14 high-performance tires. A power sunroof was standard on the Si, as were a monotone paint scheme and sport seats.

A CRX HF (High Fuel economy) model replaced the CRX with the 1.3-liter engine. The HF had an eight-valve version of the 1.5-liter engine that produced just 58 horsepower but offered more torque and thus better acceleration around town. Mileage figures for the HF stood at 52 in the city and 57 on the highway.

The other Civics continued unchanged for this year, with the exception of the wagon, which, later in the model year, became available with four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox. As the Civic's reputation for quality, clever engineering and steadfast reliability continued to grow, so did the little Honda's popularity, as sales figures that topped 200,000 annually attested.

Flush-mounted headlights made it easy to tell the 1986 Civics from the older models. Other changes included a four-speed automatic and an Si version of the Civic hatchback, the latter geared toward those who wanted the performance of the CRX Si but needed a four-seat vehicle. Other perks for the Civic Si hatchback included a removable glass sunroof, a full-width taillight panel and color-keyed front airdam and roof spoiler. The CRXs received the same updates as the other Civics, including the flush headlights.

For 1987, the four-wheel-drive (4WD) system for the Civic wagon was revised. "Real Time" 4WD automatically channeled power to the wheels that had optimum grip and did away with the driver having to decide (and then move a lever) if four-wheel drive was needed.

The Civic's History Part 1

1973-1979

Prior to 1973, Honda was a company known more for its motorcycles than for its cars, which were tiny two-cylinder 600cc runabouts. This changed when the Civic debuted for 1973. The Civic offered amazing space efficiency in a fun little car that achieved more than 40 mpg on the highway. Room for four passengers was quite a feat for a car that possessed such diminutive dimensions as an 86.6-inch wheelbase and 139.8-inch overall length. A small transversely mounted engine and front-wheel-drive layout (an arrangement that was something of a novelty to the American car market) and 12-inch wheels maximized interior room. Indeed, early ads for the Civic boasted that it had more passenger room than many larger cars. Two similar body styles were available, a hatchback and a "sedan." These Civics were identical, even the rear of the cars looked the same, except that one had a hatchback and the other had a small vertical panel that opened to allow access to the "trunk." The early Civic had a few style quirks, such as turn signal lights that looked as if they were added on after the car was already built and a bulging center divider in the grille. Standard equipment included power front disc brakes, vinyl seating, reclining bucket seats and a woodgrain-accented dashboard. The hatchback added a fold-down rear seat, an AM radio and cloth upholstery. Options were minimal, consisting of air conditioning, an automatic transmission, radial tires and a rear wiper for the hatchback.

A 1,169cc (or about 70-cubic-inch) inline four-cylinder engine motivated the first-year Civic and put out 50 horsepower. This was an impressive output when considered in terms of power per unit of displacement: The Civic had 0.71 horsepower per cubic inch. And with a weight of only around 1,500 pounds, a whole lot of power wasn't needed to propel the Civic. Transmissions offered included a four-speed manual or a two-speed "Hondamatic" automatic gearbox. An all-independent suspension made the Civic an agile econobox that could run circles around American-built competitors like the Ford Pinto and Chevrolet Vega.

The Civic's base price was around $2,200 and Honda's early slogan, "It will get you where you're going," emphasized the practical and economical mission of the Civic and made no pretenses otherwise.

For 1974, the Civic's engine size grew slightly, to 1,237 cc and power went up to 52 horsepower. In order to meet the new 5-mph bumper impact standard, the Civic's bumpers grew, as did its overall length, which was now 146.9 inches.

The CVCC (or Controlled Vortex Combustion Chamber) engine debuted in 1975. Offered alongside the standard Civic engine, the 53-horsepower CVCC engine displaced 1,488 cc and had a head design that promoted cleaner, more efficient combustion. The CVCC design eliminated a need for a catalytic converter or unleaded fuel to meet emissions standards. (Nearly every other U.S. market car for this year underwent the change to exhaust catalysts and the requirement to use only unleaded fuel.) Due to California's stricter emissions standards, only the Civic CVCC was available in that state. A five-speed manual gearbox became available this year, as did a Civic station wagon (only with the CVCC engine), which had a wheelbase of 89.9 inches and an overall length of 160 inches. Civic sales topped 100,000 units for this year.

1978 brought slight cosmetic changes, such as a black grille, rear-facing hood vents (that replaced the sideways versions) and new turn signals. The easiest way to tell a '78 from an earlier example is to look at the front signals: Prior to 1978, they looked like foglights mounted in the Civic's grille, whereas in 1978 they were smaller and mounted under the bumper. The CVCC engine was now rated at 60 horsepower.

Apart from a minor increase in horsepower that brought the base engine to 55 horsepower and the CVCC to 63 ponies, little changed for the 1979 Civic.

The Different Generations of The Civic

The first generation Honda Civic with a wheelbase of 220 cm arrived in July, 1972 as a shortbacked 2-door, accompanied in November, 1972 by a 3-door Hatchback. A 4-door came in December, 1973 with a wheelbase of 228 cm; it lasted until September, 1977 that the 5-door Hatchback was introduced. By November, 1974 a 5-door Wagon was released on the same 228 cm wheelbase, however with a rigid rear axle and leaf springs instead of the independent coil suspension.

The second generation Civic in the same style as the first rode on a wheelbase of 225 and 232 cm respectively for the 3-door and 5-door Hatchbacks and was introduced in July, 1979. In October, 1979 came the 5-door Wagon, which was now available with the independent rear coil suspension, as well as the rigid axle with leafs. In September, 1980 a 4-door Notchback arrived. In the meantime, in August, 1980 the Honda Ballade was released with a different body, also a 4-door Sedan, and built as Triumph Acclaim in England. A derivative of the Civic was the Honda Quint (Export: Quintet) 5-door Hatchback with a wheelbase of 236 cm.

The third generation Civic, introduced in September, 1983 consisted of 4 body styles, with only the 3-door Hatchback and the 4-door Sedan having interchangeable panels. The 3-door Hatchback now rode on a 238 cm wheelbase; the 4-door Sedan, also called Honda Ballade, and built in England as Rover 213/216 (June, 1984) rode on a 245 cm wheelbase. The Wagon was now called Shuttle and used the same 245 cm wheelbase. The Civic CR-X, called Ballade Sports in Japan was a 3-door Coupe, riding on a 220 cm wheelbase and was already introduced in June, 1983. All cars had a new front and rear suspension, torsion bars instead of coils in front, and a torsion beam axle with coil springs at the rear. By November, 1984 a 4-wheel-drive version arrived for the Shuttle with a live rear axle, by September, 1986 the system became permanent. A derivative was the Quint Integra, which arrived as a 3-door Hatchback on a 245 cm wheelbase in February, 1985. In November, 1985 came the 5-door Hatchback on a 252 cm wheelbase, and in October, 1986, in Japan a 4-door Sedan on the same 252 cm wheelbase. The cars were called Honda Integra in the export, and Acura Integra in the USA and Canada.

The fourth generation arrived in September, 1987 with the same body layout as the previous generation, the wheelbase was now 250 cm integrally, except for the 3-door Coupe, now called Honda CR-X on a 230 cm wheelbase. The suspension was now double wishbones, coils, front and rear, also for the 4WD. A derivative was the Concerto 4-door Sedan and 5-door Hatchback, which arrived in June, 1988 and rode on a 255 cm wheelbase. The 5-door Hatchback was built in England as Rover 200 from October, 1989, the 4-door Sedan as Rover 400, from March, 1990. Rover developed a 200 3-door Hatchback (September, 1990), a 2-door Convertible (March, 1992), a 2-door Coupe (October, 1992) and a 5-door Wagon (March, 1994). The new Honda Integra arrived in April, 1989 as 3-door Coupe as well as a 4-door Pillared Hardtop on a 255 and 260 cm wheelbase respectively.

The fifth generation Civic was released in September, 1991, the 3-door now on a 257 cm wheelbase, the 4-door (called Civic Ferio in Japan) on a 262 cm wheelbase, the CR-X (called del Sol in the USA), now a 2-door Targa-Top on a 237 cm wheelbase. The previous generation Shuttle remained available. A 2-door Coupe (257 cm wheelbase), developed in the USA, arrived for the 1993 model year. By November, 1992 the Honda Domani 4-door Sedan arrived with different body, also sold as Isuzu Gemini from August, 1993. This car was built in England as Rover 400 with different roof end from May, 1995, where a 5-door Hatchback was developed, which was also sold as Honda Civic in Europe. These cars were rebadged Rover 45 by January, 2000 when they received a nostalgic front. By Spring 1998 arrived a 5-door Wagon, as Honda Civic Aerodeck in Europe. The new Integra 3-door Coupe and 4-door Pillared Hardtop arrived in May, 1993 and rode on a 257 cm and 262 cm wheelbase respectively.

The sixth generation Civic appeared in September, 1995 as a 3-door Hatchback, a 4-door Sedan, and a 2-door Coupe, now all riding on the 262 cm wheelbase. The 4-door was still called Civic Ferio in Japan, by February, 1996 it came as Honda Integra SJ, by January, 1997 as Honda Domani, and by February, 1997 as Isuzu Gemini. A 5-door Wagon came in February 1996, called Honda Orthia, or in a more commercial version, as Honda Partner. In Canada the 4-door Sedan is also sold as Acura EL. In Thailand the car is known as Isuzu Vertex.

The seventh generation Civic came in September, 2000 now as a 5-door Hatchback and a 4-door Sedan (Civic Ferio) with different bodies and the 262 cm wheelbase for the Sedan and a 268 cm wheelbase for the Hatchback. In October, 2000 arrived the 7-seater Honda Stream with an even longer wheelbase of 272 cm. In late 2000 arrived the USA-built 2-door coupe on the 262 cm wheelbase. In 2001 a 3-door Hatchback was added on a wheelbase of 257.5 cm

Some Tips To Help You Save Gas

With the prices of fuel steadily soaring over the roof, it’s just practical to do anything in order to save gas while you’re using your Honda Civic regularly. Here are some useful tips in saving more money, more fuel and more mileage for your Civic.

1. If you’re waiting for someone inside your car and it may seems that they’re going to take a long time, turn off your engine rather letting it idle as you wait. An idle engine still releases emissions from its exhaust and this act greatly lessens your fuel in your Civic’s tank. It would save you a great amount of money and our environment from self-destructing if you could prevent your engine from idling.
2. You’re driving in traffic and you have this annoying habit of pressing down on the brake pedal so hard. Avoid this practice because in doing so, a large amount of fuel is wasted in this operation. It would be ideal to anticipate when to stop so you could brake slowly and save more fuel.
3. If you’re satisfied with the temperature outside of your Civic, you could just switch off its air-conditioning system. There’s no practicality in using the A/C system if you’re driving in cool weather for it will only speed up your car’s fuel consumption.
4. Have your precious Civic checked for irregularities at your nearest garage. You never know if your car is suffering from grime build-up in its pipes and hoses, inferior parts or worn-out engine components. So, in order to avoid this situation and save more gas money, check your Civic regularly with your neighborhood-friendly garage and its car mechanics.
5. If you can avoid using your Civic for short distances, then by all means, do so. Whether it’s a trip to you neighbor four blocks away or a short travel to the grocery store located just near your place, you could save a lot of fuel and money if you’ll walk. In addition to that, you could use the exercise too.
6. Never place too much useless things that will greatly contribute to the weight inside your car. A heavier load means your Civic will use more power. More power means your Civic will guzzle up more fuel. More fuel means more space in your wallet due to the slow loss of money.
7. In line with number six, don’t install too many aftermarket parts and accessories to your Civic if you’re just looking for something to show off. The installation of a wide body kit, a turbocharger or a complex in-car entertainment system could greatly increase your fuel consumption and lessen your gas money. So if you’re just out to have bragging rights rather than race other modified cars on the road, avoid the option of installing these performance parts.

Honda Civic Type R Conquers UK

What is the biggest-selling three door hatch in the UK today? It has a more than capable engine to outrun its competitors and carries the famous Honda badge. The answer is the Honda Civic Type R.

Ever since Honda unveiled the Civic Type R last March 2007 up until the end of February, the Japanese car maker has sold a total of 5, 192 units to satisfied customers in the UK. This number proves that the Honda Civic Type R is the hottest performance hatchback in the UK right now.

Meanwhile, its closest competitor, Ford, placed only second to Honda with sales of the Focus ST reaching 4, 778. Next to Ford in 3^rd place is the Golf GTI with sales totaling to 1, 984 in the UK.

If you think that’s all the Honda Civic Type R has achieved, here are some more reasons why this Japanese car ought to be in the spotlight right now.

• Honda listened to its customer’s pleas to have a more refined cabin with high specifications. The Japanese car maker unveiled the GT grade - and a huge 90 per cent of customers opt for this more comfortable, better-equipped Civic
• If you’re going to look and analyze closely into its sales records, Honda (UK) has sold just one unit of the stripped-down, lightweight Type Rs (with no parcel shelf, stereo equipment or audio speakers)
• The current residual value for the Civic Type R GT is an amazing 52 per cent
  (3 years / 60,000 miles) - this compares favorably with both the Focus ST (40 per cent) and Golf GTI (43 per cent)
• 58 per cent of 3-door Civic sales are to conquest customers
• During 2007, the Civic Type R won Top Gear magazine’s Hot Hatch of the Year and scooped the same award in Auto Express’s New Car Honors

Malfunctioning Handbrakes Found In Civics Sold in Britain

The many users of the Honda Civic in Britain are being warned of the car’s problem with malfunctioning handbrakes. Honda has taken the initiative to notify users of the Honda Civic in Britain, numbering to almost 63,000, to alert them of the car’s problem.

After a number of complaints from disgruntled car owners regarding the handbrake not sticking if applied, the giant Japanese car maker has issued a public apology to these car owners for the Civic’s flaw. Honda also offered these customers a new and functioning handbrake to ease their concerns over the car.

"We do apologize for any inconvenience to customers,” an unnamed Honda spokesman said:

"We will be sending out letters to our customers in March and April recommending that they visit their local Honda dealer to get an improved handbrake fitted,” He also added.

Honda Civics designed between 2006 and 2007 are apparently equipped with these malfunctioning handbrakes.

Honda recommends that owners do not push the release button when using the handbrake, which may result in it not catching.

Honda and Panic At The Disco To Give Away A One Of A Kind Civic Hybrid

Honda is really serious when it comes to pleasing its fans. In this case, the Japanese carmaker is giving away a Honda Civic Hybrid as a prize to one lucky fan. What sets this prize apart from any ordinary prize is that it’s designed and autographed by the band headlining the Honda Civic Tour ’08 itself, Panic At The Disco. Fans of the band or the car itself can get lucky just by registering online, which started last February 28, or signing up at an electronic kiosk at each destination of the nationwide tour. The people of San Francisco will have the first chance too see Panic At The Disco in action and enter the contest with the start of the tour on April 10, 2008.

"Not every band gets the opportunity to customize their own car, which is just one of the reasons the Honda Civic Tour is so cool. We spent a lot of time on the design to make sure it was something our fans would be truly excited about. And this particular car is a hybrid, so you really can't go wrong there." Ryan Ross, Panic At The Disco’s guitarist, said.

In order for fans to get the first glimpse of what Panic At The Disco has in store for their nationwide tour with Honda, they are going to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live on March 25. This performance will also coincide with the release of their new album and give the fans a preview of what Panic At The Disco has been up to lately.

In anticipation of the Honda Tour ’08, cities such as San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Orlando have already sold out and additional dates of the concert have been added. Panic At The Disco, along with its tour mates Motion City Soundtrack, The Hush Sound and Phantom Planet can be seen on May 4 in East Rutherford, New Jersey as part of Bamboozle music festival. Fans can also get a first look at the Honda Civic Hybrid designed and autographed by the boys of Panic At The Disco.

The car itself is a combination of the band’s eccentricities and aesthetic abilities combined to produce a one of a kind personalized hybrid. The personalized Honda Civic Hybrid comes with a design theme inspired by “Surreal Earth” which was realized by Santini USA and DVS designs. They are also joined by ALSA Corp Hawaiian Hues and Mystic paint. Candy Concentrates also helped in the design of the car by providing its striking colors.

The lucky winner of customized Honda Civic Hybrid will be lucky enough to find a custom-upholstered "time-machine" interior, with burgundy leather door panels and armrests, diamond-patterned leather seats and luxe buttoned headrests in their new car. The interior covering of the roof has been changed to a mocha suede theme and it is fitted with a customized clock seen in Panic At The Disco’s single from their new album, “Nine in the Afternoon”.

In addition to all of these customized goodies, the door panels, dash and floormats include gold flourishes in their design. The windshield of the customized Honda Civic Hybrid now comes with special accent lights to improve the over-all design of the car. To top it all off, a crystal knob at the top of the gear shift is also included.

To top Panic At The Disco and Honda’s masterpiece creation, the hybrid is equipped with a factory stereo head unit coupled to a Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ combined with Alpine Electronics speakers, subwoofers and amplifiers; XM® Satellite Radio; 18-inch Konig Again racing-inspired rims with Dunlop Direzza DZ101 sport tires; Eibach Springs lowering suspension; a Honda Factory Performance (HFP) Aero Kit and Polished Exhaust Tip; and a Meguiar's professional car-care kit.

Fans of the band and their customized Honda Civic Hybrid only have until July 31 to enter the contest and take home this one of a kind car. So clear your calendar when Panic At The Disco come to your state and catch them along with the chance to drive this eye-candy baby home.

Honda’s own Civic GX hailed as the “greenest” car by the ACEEE

Honda’s own pride and joy, the Civic, is on a great roll lately. After impressing the worldwide market with its great styling and astounding performance, the Honda Civic has just added another leaf to its hat.

The hybrid version called the Honda Civic GX, which runs on natural gas, clinched the top spot on ACEEE”s list for the greenest vehicles this 2008. The American Council for Energy Efficient Economy awarded this distinction to the Honda Civic, beating other more popular hybrids in the market today. Along with the Civic GX, Honda also has four vehicles that made the list. These Honda vehicles include the Civic that runs on gasoline, Civic Hybrid and the Fit. This is the fifth year running the Honda Civic GX has won the award for greenest vehicle bestowed by the ACEE. At the same time, this is also the eight consecutive year in a row that a vehicle made by Honda reached the top spot and the seventh year that Honda vehicles have entered the top 12.

"The ACEEE awards speak to the commitment Honda has made to lead the industry in lowering emissions, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing dependence on oil," said John Mendel, Honda’s executive vice president for its American branch.

"Honda continues to set the standard for socially and environmentally-responsible automotive products and our commitment to alternative fuels will further expand with the zero emissions FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle coming to market this summer." Mendel added.

The ACEEE uses a method to measure the fuel-economy of the vehicle and its effect and impact to the environment. Using this method, they analyze and conclude which cars may be included in the list. The end result is the top 12 vehicles that topped their standards for being the friendliest to our environment. Along with the 12 “greenest” vehicles for the year, ACEEE also bestows the top 12 “meanest” cars that are detrimental to the environment.

First introduced in 1998, the Honda Civic GX boasts of a clean internal combustion procedure in its engine which is certified by the EPA. The exhaust from the Civic GX is 90% cleaner than most gasoline-powered vehicles in the market today.

Honda Selling The Civic Like Hot Pancakes In Europe

Honda has just delivered the knock-out punch to its competitors across the European Continent with an increase in their sales for 2007. Leading the surge in their sales is two of their best-selling models, the Civic and the CR-V.

For 2007, Honda posted a huge increase in the sales of the Civic, selling 160, 082 units, while their other best-seller, the CR-V, also fared well with 90, 562 units being sold all over Europe. This marks a 41.7% rise in the sales of the Civic and a 72.7% for the CR-V all over Europe.

Sales of the Civic Hybrid has been positive with sales reaching up 10, 515 units or a 206.6% rise for 2007. This marks an all-time sales record for Honda.

Honda is now on their 4^th consecutive year of topping the annual sales in Europe and is also on their 6^th year of holding the annual sales increase in the same region.

Sweden leads the pack of European countries in which Honda has achieved a surge in their sales with 60%. Norway comes in second with an increase of 55%. France, Greece and Poland follow them with an increase above 30%. Rounding off the countries who have posted an increase in their year-on-year sales in excess of 20% are Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark.

"We are very pleased to see that such a large number of European customers have chosen Honda products," said Shigeru Takagi, President of Honda Motor Europe Ltd.

Honda Is now looking to further the lead by a mile as it plans to release the new Accord this summer. They are also planning to release another best-seller, the 2^nd generation Jazz, during the latter half of the year.

Want the sched of the Honda Civic Tour? We’ve got it

April 10 Warfield San Francisco, CA February 2

April 12 Soma San Diego, CA February 2

April 13 Mesa Amphitheatre Phoenix, AZ February 2

April 15 Brady Theatre Oklahoma City, OK February 2

April 17 Thomas Assembly Center at Louisiana Tech Ruston, LA February 16

April 18 Palladium Ballroom Dallas, TX February 2

April 19 Stubb's BBQ Austin, TX February 16

April 20 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Houston, TX February 2

April 22 Ruth Eckerd Hall Tampa, FL February 2

April 23 The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theatre Miami, FL February 2

April 24 House of Blues - Orlando Orlando, FL February 2

April 26 The Tabernacle Atlanta, GA February 2

April 29 House of Blues - Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach, SC February 16

April 30 Constitution Hall Washington, DC February 2

May 2 Alfond Arena at the University of Maine Orono, ME February 16

May 3 RPI Field House Troy, NY February 16

May 6 Gordon Fieldhouse - Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY February 16

May 7 Roseland Ballroom New York, NY February 2

May 9 Festival Pier Philadelphia, PA February 2

May 10 Chevrolet Theatre Wallingford, CT February 2

May 11 Bank of America Pavilion Boston, MA February 2

May 13 Metropolis Montreal, QC February 16

May 14 The Sound Academy Toronto, ON February 2

May 16 Tower City Amphitheatre Cleveland, OH February 16

May 17 PromoWest-Outdoor (LCPavilion) Columbus, OH February 16

May 18 Egyptian Room at Murat Centre Indianapolis, IN February 16

May 20 The Fillmore Theatre Detroit, MI February 2

May 23 Congress Theatre Chicago, IL February 2

May 25 Eagles Ballroom Milwaukee, WI February 16

May 27 Myth Minneapolis, MN February 2

May 30 The Pageant St. Louis, MO February 2

May 31 Westfair Amphitheatre Omaha, NE February 16

June 1 Uptown Theatre Kansas City, MO February 16

June 3 The Fillmore Auditorium Denver, CO February 2

June 4 Salt Air Theatre Salt Lake City, UT February 16

June 6 PNE Forum Vancouver, BC February 16

June 7 Paramount Theatre Seattle, WA February 16

June 8 Portland Exposition Center Portland, OR February 16

June 13 The Pearl Las Vegas, NV February 16

June 14 The Theater at the Honda Center Anaheim, CA TBD

Source: top40 charts.com

Three more Hybrids coming up for 2011

It’s game time for Honda as they challenge their rival Toyota in the arena of Hybrid vehicles.

While Toyota’s Prius may be dominating the Hybrid market in the US, Honda is not one to be let down. Its “ambitious” plans for their fleet of Hybrid vehicles include two new hybrid-only vehicles and an upgrade of one of their hybrids in the next three years. By 2009, Honda already has set its goals of adding a new dedicated hybrid which is more affordable than the Civic hybrid. Already, they are expecting to sell 200,000 units of the new hybrid-only vehicle in its first year in the market, with 100,000 being sold in the States.

It was Honda President Takeo Fukui who said that the next-generation Civic hybrid and the recently debuted CR-Z were to be expected by 2011. The company however, did not confirm if whether or not the CR-Z will be sold in the US. Honda did not reveal any pricing details yet, but according to Fukui the new models are targeted to be more affordable than their current lineup of hybrids.

“Around 2011, all those three models are ready to go, so we’ll be achieving 400,000 to 500,000 global production of hybrids,” Fukui said in a conference, speaking through an interpreter. “These models we worked on the cost to reduce their costs because MSRP is very important to customers, so we think these vehicles will be very appealing.”

Dating back to history, it was Honda who first introduced the States to hybrid vehicles through the Insight back in 1999. But when Toyota introduced the Prius after a year, it quickly gained sales and overshadowed the Insight. Honda’s fleet was eventually phased out, as they were planning a new approach in their next generation of hybrids. President and Chief Executive of American Honda Motor Co. mused that the Insight was not practical, which made it an easy competitor of the Prius.