Engine: Acceleration Problem Help

jeannie · 15th June 2006, 18:30

I bought my honda civic 1.8 sport in march, i experience a flat spot on the accelerator which causes a jerk. It hesitates at junctions which really annoys me. Ive also experienced the engine is still revving when changing gear at high revs even though my foot is off the accelerator. I live in carmarthenshire and the dealers have told me that its the characteristic of the car due to the fly by wire.They even had the cheek to say it was mainly women that has complained about this problem!! and suggested i changed my style of driving. That really made me mad!!!

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

elfa7 · 15th June 2006, 18:57

If you've experienced this problem from when you purchased the vehicle, then under the Sale of Goods Act, it should have been repaired or exchanged for a new car. It is not fit for purpose. Get in touch with the Manager of the garage, and get it sorted right away.

karlak · 15th June 2006, 19:02

If it is a 'characteristic of the car ' - then insist on trying one of their demo cars, and see if that does it as well.

jeannie · 15th June 2006, 19:59

Thanks to both elfa7 and karlak for your replies but i have quoted the sale of goods act to honda uk but they say there is not a fault with the car and i was told it doesnt warrent having my money back. I have driven a demo car and it drove the same as mine. the garage technician agreed that the cars performance wasnt good but that its down to the new technology of the fly by wire. I have spoken to a couple of owners of the 1.8 sport which i have stopped in the petrol station, they do not have this problem. I have now learned from another web site that there are a number of people having the same problems and not getting any help from honda. I feel like im banging my head against a brick wall. HELP!!

basegreen · 15th June 2006, 21:36

I have the 1.8 and I don't have this issue. However, I have a lot of experience of Honda Customer Service.

Get in touch with them by phone at the first instance, you can find the number on their website.

It seems strange that the test drive car, and yours both has the same issue.

It is patronising to suggest it's only women doing this. I've driven four different 1.8 Civics now, and not seen this on any of them.

PM me if you need any more help.

kevin_lufc · 15th June 2006, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeannie

Ive also experienced the engine is still revving when changing gear at high revs even though my foot is off the accelerator.

I have experienced this, but put it down to driver error....you have me thinking there is something wrong with the car now

DT · 15th June 2006, 22:35

My 1.8 also keeps the high revs when changing gear, it appears to be slow to react to you taking your foot of the accelerator. Taking the car to the dealers on Saturday (think my front passenger speaker is loose) so will mention it. Do you also find that the acceleration is very slow -appears to be a lot slower than my old Puma which had a similar 0-60 time.

basegreen · 15th June 2006, 23:00

Two things here.

1. Acceleration is slow (well, compared to the diesel turbo, yes), but that's mostly due to you not driving the car properly - with VTEC engines, the power comes at 4.5K revs and above... it's like it comes alive, but having driven normal petrols, you just want to short shift all the time. Just try getting up to 60 in first and second

See pottsys graphs.

2. The accel. lag - this is a drive by wire thing. When idle, tap/blip the gas hard but quickly, there's a 0.5s delay between hitting the pedal and it revving. THis is partly the DBW lag, but also because there is some play on the pedal before you hit the revs, as it were.

fromswedenwithlove · 15th June 2006, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeannie

I bought my honda civic 1.8 sport in march, i experience a flat spot on the accelerator which causes a jerk. It hesitates at junctions which really annoys me. Ive also experienced the engine is still revving when changing gear at high revs even though my foot is off the accelerator. I live in carmarthenshire and the dealers have told me that its the characteristic of the car due to the fly by wire.They even had the cheek to say it was mainly women that has complained about this problem!! and suggested i changed my style of driving. That really made me mad!!!

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Jeannie, you are not alone. Take a look at the links below:

http://www.2talkabout.com/Honda/?p=39&psr_stars=3 (post 7-9)

http://www.whatcar.com/car-review-readers.aspx?RT=747 (clive from essex)

http://www.2talkabout.com/Honda/archives/disappointed/ (you already know this thread)

I´m not saying that every civic owner experiences this problem, but obviously there are at least a few very unhappy drivers out there in the market. Honda can call this "drive by wire" and "woman driving" (I´m male - not that it makes any difference), trying to pretend it´s normal, but it´s not normal - it´s just so extremely annoying!!! Let´s just hope that Honda finally stops burying their heads in the sand and instead starts taking care of their customers.

Pottsy · 16th June 2006, 02:29

What the drive by wire (DBW) is doing is trying to make things smoother for you. It learns how quickly you change gear, and lets the revs fall at a certain speed to match your gear change speed.

If you change gear too slowly for the system, it will hold the revs for the maximum time, and then let them drop. This can feel odd.

So, try to change gear a little bit quicker. Don't over-do it, just a bit quicker than you have been doing. Let us know if this helps!

basegreen · 16th June 2006, 08:20

I know this is kind of a long shot - but could you get a mobile phone video of this problem happening?

jeannie · 16th June 2006, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin_lufc

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeannie

Ive also experienced the engine is still revving when changing gear at high revs even though my foot is off the accelerator.

I have experienced this, but put it down to driver error....you have me thinking there is something wrong with the car now

Dont put your driving down! I thought that at first but the more i drove the car i realised it wasnt me. ive had other people in the car with me at the time and witnessed the engine revving at time of gear change. you can over ride the revving by quickly putting your foot back on the accelerator. thats not the point, the way im thinking is, the accelerator is not acting as fast as my foot.

kevin_lufc · 16th June 2006, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pottsy

What the drive by wire (DBW) is doing is trying to make things smoother for you. It learns how quickly you change gear, and lets the revs fall at a certain speed to match your gear change speed.

I have to admit I dont notice it as much now, hence the "driver error" comment. Does the DBW actually learn the drivers driving style?

elfa7 · 16th June 2006, 13:02

I have'nt had a problem with the FBW, but if you have a certain percentage with a perfect throttle, and some with an imperfect throttle, then surely its a sellers problem, not a buyers problem. Honda should fix it.

Pottsy · 16th June 2006, 15:16

Yes, the DBW does adapt. You can reset it by disconnecting the battery or pulling the appropriate fuse (don't have the book to hand).

fromswedenwithlove · 16th June 2006, 22:28

Just like elfa7 says, it seems as if some (the majority) cars are working well or fairly well, whereas others are a catastrophe. DBW is nothing new (although Honda, in my impression, tries to depict it as some kind of "StarTrek-technology"). DBW, in one form or another, has been on the market for almost 20 years now http://www.auto-solve.com/etc.htm . The tricky part is to fine-tune the system and make it harmonize, but here Honda has failed.[/quote]

fromswedenwithlove · 12th July 2006, 15:18

http://www.2talkabout.com/Honda/arch...o-say-goodbye/

Where have all the happy customers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the happy customers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the happy customers gone?
Honda has lost them everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?

basegreen · 12th July 2006, 16:01

This puzzles me. I've driven at least three 1.8s and none have had this issue. I think I use the clutch/gears pretty textbookly (not a real word!).... so what is happening here?

Bungle · 12th July 2006, 16:24

With regards to the 'lag', it is not excessive at all and does not pose any problem to me. The 'flat spot' in the acceleration is due to letting the clutch up too quickly. There is not much torque below 1500rpm. Let the clutch slip slightly as you pull off, keeping the revs a bit higher and wait longer before selecting 2nd. It makes pulling off much better. I don't know how much it helps, but I've developed a technique of blipping the throttle before pulling away, which seems to work really well for me, it helps keep the revs up and the power.

I have driven a few cars in my time, and this feeling of low power when pulling away with low rpms is present in nearly all cars, and the Civic is not nearly as bad as some!

Maldax · 12th July 2006, 16:40

Just had a wee thought! How is a car going to adapt if the car is shared?

15th June 2006, 18:30	#1 (permalink)
jeannie Valve Cap Join Date: 15th June 2006 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Acceleration Problem Help I bought my honda civic 1.8 sport in march, i experience a flat spot on the accelerator which causes a jerk. It hesitates at junctions which really annoys me. Ive also experienced the engine is still revving when changing gear at high revs even though my foot is off the accelerator. I live in carmarthenshire and the dealers have told me that its the characteristic of the car due to the fly by wire.They even had the cheek to say it was mainly women that has complained about this problem!! and suggested i changed my style of driving. That really made me mad!!! Has anyone else experienced this problem?

15th June 2006, 18:57	#2 (permalink)
elfa7 Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 8th May 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,700 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Acceleration Problem If you've experienced this problem from when you purchased the vehicle, then under the Sale of Goods Act, it should have been repaired or exchanged for a new car. It is not fit for purpose. Get in touch with the Manager of the garage, and get it sorted right away.

16th June 2006, 13:02	#14 (permalink)
elfa7 Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 8th May 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,700 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	acceleration problem I have'nt had a problem with the FBW, but if you have a certain percentage with a perfect throttle, and some with an imperfect throttle, then surely its a sellers problem, not a buyers problem. Honda should fix it.

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This thread is about: Acceleration Problem Help, it's in Bugs, faults and irritations at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; I bought my honda civic 1.8 sport in march, i experience a flat spot on the accelerator which causes a jerk. It hesitates at junctions ...

15th June 2006, 19:02	#3 (permalink)
karlak Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 3rd June 2006 Posts: 432 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If it is a 'characteristic of the car ' - then insist on trying one of their demo cars, and see if that does it as well.

15th June 2006, 19:59	#4 (permalink)
jeannie Valve Cap Join Date: 15th June 2006 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks to both elfa7 and karlak for your replies but i have quoted the sale of goods act to honda uk but they say there is not a fault with the car and i was told it doesnt warrent having my money back. I have driven a demo car and it drove the same as mine. the garage technician agreed that the cars performance wasnt good but that its down to the new technology of the fly by wire. I have spoken to a couple of owners of the 1.8 sport which i have stopped in the petrol station, they do not have this problem. I have now learned from another web site that there are a number of people having the same problems and not getting any help from honda. I feel like im banging my head against a brick wall. HELP!!

15th June 2006, 21:36	#5 (permalink)
basegreen Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 15th April 2006 Location: noitacoL Posts: 2,864 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I have the 1.8 and I don't have this issue. However, I have a lot of experience of Honda Customer Service. Get in touch with them by phone at the first instance, you can find the number on their website. It seems strange that the test drive car, and yours both has the same issue. It is patronising to suggest it's only women doing this. I've driven four different 1.8 Civics now, and not seen this on any of them. PM me if you need any more help.

15th June 2006, 22:35	#7 (permalink)
DT Valve Cap Join Date: 3rd June 2006 Location: Bathgate Posts: 23 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My 1.8 also keeps the high revs when changing gear, it appears to be slow to react to you taking your foot of the accelerator. Taking the car to the dealers on Saturday (think my front passenger speaker is loose) so will mention it. Do you also find that the acceleration is very slow -appears to be a lot slower than my old Puma which had a similar 0-60 time.

15th June 2006, 23:00	#8 (permalink)
basegreen Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 15th April 2006 Location: noitacoL Posts: 2,864 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Two things here. 1. Acceleration is slow (well, compared to the diesel turbo, yes), but that's mostly due to you not driving the car properly - with VTEC engines, the power comes at 4.5K revs and above... it's like it comes alive, but having driven normal petrols, you just want to short shift all the time. Just try getting up to 60 in first and second See pottsys graphs. 2. The accel. lag - this is a drive by wire thing. When idle, tap/blip the gas hard but quickly, there's a 0.5s delay between hitting the pedal and it revving. THis is partly the DBW lag, but also because there is some play on the pedal before you hit the revs, as it were.

16th June 2006, 02:29	#10 (permalink)
Pottsy Administrator Civinfo guru Join Date: 10th April 2006 Location: Leics Posts: 4,623 Thanks: 3 Thanked 47 Times in 21 Posts	What the drive by wire (DBW) is doing is trying to make things smoother for you. It learns how quickly you change gear, and lets the revs fall at a certain speed to match your gear change speed. If you change gear too slowly for the system, it will hold the revs for the maximum time, and then let them drop. This can feel odd. So, try to change gear a little bit quicker. Don't over-do it, just a bit quicker than you have been doing. Let us know if this helps!

16th June 2006, 08:20	#11 (permalink)
basegreen Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 15th April 2006 Location: noitacoL Posts: 2,864 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I know this is kind of a long shot - but could you get a mobile phone video of this problem happening?

16th June 2006, 15:16	#15 (permalink)
Pottsy Administrator Civinfo guru Join Date: 10th April 2006 Location: Leics Posts: 4,623 Thanks: 3 Thanked 47 Times in 21 Posts	Yes, the DBW does adapt. You can reset it by disconnecting the battery or pulling the appropriate fuse (don't have the book to hand).

16th June 2006, 22:28	#16 (permalink)
fromswedenwithlove Valve Cap Join Date: 15th June 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just like elfa7 says, it seems as if some (the majority) cars are working well or fairly well, whereas others are a catastrophe. DBW is nothing new (although Honda, in my impression, tries to depict it as some kind of "StarTrek-technology"). DBW, in one form or another, has been on the market for almost 20 years now http://www.auto-solve.com/etc.htm . The tricky part is to fine-tune the system and make it harmonize, but here Honda has failed.[/quote]

12th July 2006, 15:18	#17 (permalink)
fromswedenwithlove Valve Cap Join Date: 15th June 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	http://www.2talkabout.com/Honda/arch...o-say-goodbye/ Where have all the happy customers gone, long time passing? Where have all the happy customers gone, long time ago? Where have all the happy customers gone? Honda has lost them everyone. Oh, when will they ever learn? Oh, when will they ever learn?

12th July 2006, 16:01	#18 (permalink)
basegreen Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 15th April 2006 Location: noitacoL Posts: 2,864 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	This puzzles me. I've driven at least three 1.8s and none have had this issue. I think I use the clutch/gears pretty textbookly (not a real word!).... so what is happening here?

12th July 2006, 16:24	#19 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,217 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	With regards to the 'lag', it is not excessive at all and does not pose any problem to me. The 'flat spot' in the acceleration is due to letting the clutch up too quickly. There is not much torque below 1500rpm. Let the clutch slip slightly as you pull off, keeping the revs a bit higher and wait longer before selecting 2nd. It makes pulling off much better. I don't know how much it helps, but I've developed a technique of blipping the throttle before pulling away, which seems to work really well for me, it helps keep the revs up and the power. I have driven a few cars in my time, and this feeling of low power when pulling away with low rpms is present in nearly all cars, and the Civic is not nearly as bad as some!

12th July 2006, 16:40	#20 (permalink)
Maldax Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 12th June 2006 Location: Reading, Berks Posts: 1,046 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just had a wee thought! How is a car going to adapt if the car is shared?