Winter Why my Civic is so bad to drive?

Hemu · 9th December 2006, 20:53

Ok I have had 2007 year 1.8 sport now two weeks and it has about 900 kms in it. Everything else is just fine and expected but driving is really really bad on bigger roads (freeways). I have winter tyres (Nokian Hakkapeliitta 205/55 R16) and car goes like a snake! It needs steering all the time and e.g. when I want to go straight ahead it doesn't go. Back of the car feels like it's hovering in the air. And that's drives me grazy!

I have tried different tyre pressures from 2.2 to 2.8. Pressure 2.8 was terrible and the best solution was 2.2 both front and rear tyres. In spite of that driving needs all-time attention and it's not solid or accurate enough. It's really vague.

I don't know what is the reason but anyway this was a big disappointment. Every other things including driving in the city is ok but freeways are really pain.

Anyway I'm going to ask my dealer what they can do for this problem. Tyres can't be the only reason or can they?

What are your experiences about the stability of Civic?

allan40alt · 9th December 2006, 21:13

Mine has been excellent. Bumps are noticeable on minor roads but on main roads and motorways it's a real pleasure. No pulling to the side; just perfect.

Have you checked the winter tyres have been fitted correctly

Pottsy · 9th December 2006, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemu

Tyres can't be the only reason or can they?

In my experience, tyres are about the only thing that affects ride and stability. It has to be these winter tyres.

MC Hammer · 9th December 2006, 21:56

As Pottsy says you need to try it with the standard tyres and check.
Probably not the time to do that in Finland though. I'd have the fitment checked just in case, you don't want to have a condition like that in the snow.

Maldax · 9th December 2006, 22:00

I would check the tiires are are on the right wheels, and not facing the wrong way. I had that one when some twit had put new tires/wheels on backwards

meinert · 9th December 2006, 23:05

I found this in the Danish Alfa Club Magazine:
If you drive on a wet or dry road the Nokian Hakkapeliitta is a disaster for the stability. You can only use the tyre on a road with snow.

czechplastik · 10th December 2006, 01:24

A bad workman never blames his tools!

Joking aside it has to be the tyres.

Hemu · 10th December 2006, 06:49

Thanks a lot for you replies! I'm going to get those tyres checked. I have also heard that Nokians are bad on dry roads and we don't have any snow here yet. Not until next april I can change summer tyres and driving should be like a dream

I'm getting my faith back....

pikkumies · 10th December 2006, 09:14

Hmm... i've had Nokia's Hakkepeliitta 5 for 3 months now.. cant say that i've really noticed anything awful in the driving...

Hemu · 10th December 2006, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikkumies

Hmm... i've had Nokia's Hakkepeliitta 5 for 3 months now.. cant say that i've really noticed anything awful in the driving...

what's your tyre pressures?

Tony Fendall · 10th December 2006, 11:47

The other thing to check is toe in. If there is excessive tow out it can cause directional problems and tyre wear of course.
Tony

DanishDude · 26th December 2006, 22:37

I drive the same model picked up at the dealer December 15, I haven had any problems going straight on freeways and highways. My tires for the winter is Goodyear UltraGrip 7 (205/55-16H) with 2,25 bar pressure in all four, could it be because your tires have studs?

Hemu · 27th December 2006, 07:02

I have lowered pressure to 2.1 and now stability is much better but still worse than my previous cars, Saab, Golf etc.

One reason is surely studs. They are not meant to be used snowless roads.

Still to go and get toes checked...

9th December 2006, 20:53	#1 (permalink)
Hemu Valve Cap Join Date: 20th October 2006 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Why my Civic is so bad to drive? Ok I have had 2007 year 1.8 sport now two weeks and it has about 900 kms in it. Everything else is just fine and expected but driving is really really bad on bigger roads (freeways). I have winter tyres (Nokian Hakkapeliitta 205/55 R16) and car goes like a snake! It needs steering all the time and e.g. when I want to go straight ahead it doesn't go. Back of the car feels like it's hovering in the air. And that's drives me grazy! I have tried different tyre pressures from 2.2 to 2.8. Pressure 2.8 was terrible and the best solution was 2.2 both front and rear tyres. In spite of that driving needs all-time attention and it's not solid or accurate enough. It's really vague. I don't know what is the reason but anyway this was a big disappointment. Every other things including driving in the city is ok but freeways are really pain. Anyway I'm going to ask my dealer what they can do for this problem. Tyres can't be the only reason or can they? What are your experiences about the stability of Civic?

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This thread is about: Why my Civic is so bad to drive?, it's in Wheels, Tyres, Suspension and Brakes at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Ok I have had 2007 year 1.8 sport now two weeks and it has about 900 kms in it. Everything else is just fine and ...

9th December 2006, 21:13	#2 (permalink)
allan40alt Supporter Civinfo guru Join Date: 6th August 2006 Location: Rugby, Warwickshire. Posts: 2,255 Thanks: 12 Thanked 33 Times in 31 Posts iTrader: (0)	Mine has been excellent. Bumps are noticeable on minor roads but on main roads and motorways it's a real pleasure. No pulling to the side; just perfect. Have you checked the winter tyres have been fitted correctly

9th December 2006, 21:56	#4 (permalink)
MC Hammer Kids use a lot of space Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 16th June 2006 Location: UK Posts: 622 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	As Pottsy says you need to try it with the standard tyres and check. Probably not the time to do that in Finland though. I'd have the fitment checked just in case, you don't want to have a condition like that in the snow.

9th December 2006, 22:00	#5 (permalink)
Maldax Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 12th June 2006 Location: Reading, Berks Posts: 1,051 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I would check the tiires are are on the right wheels, and not facing the wrong way. I had that one when some twit had put new tires/wheels on backwards

9th December 2006, 23:05	#6 (permalink)
meinert Supporter Valve Cap Join Date: 1st November 2006 Location: Svendborg, Denmark Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I found this in the Danish Alfa Club Magazine: If you drive on a wet or dry road the Nokian Hakkapeliitta is a disaster for the stability. You can only use the tyre on a road with snow.

10th December 2006, 01:24	#7 (permalink)
czechplastik King of the rodeo Civinfo guru Join Date: 24th October 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 4,672 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	A bad workman never blames his tools! Joking aside it has to be the tyres.

10th December 2006, 06:49	#8 (permalink)
Hemu Valve Cap Join Date: 20th October 2006 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Thanks a lot for you replies! I'm going to get those tyres checked. I have also heard that Nokians are bad on dry roads and we don't have any snow here yet. Not until next april I can change summer tyres and driving should be like a dream I'm getting my faith back....

10th December 2006, 09:14	#9 (permalink)
pikkumies Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 14th May 2006 Location: Jyväskylä, Finland Posts: 282 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Hmm... i've had Nokia's Hakkepeliitta 5 for 3 months now.. cant say that i've really noticed anything awful in the driving...

10th December 2006, 11:47	#11 (permalink)
Tony Fendall Old enough to know better Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 12th August 2006 Location: Basingstoke Posts: 114 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	The other thing to check is toe in. If there is excessive tow out it can cause directional problems and tyre wear of course. Tony

26th December 2006, 22:37	#12 (permalink)
DanishDude Valve Cap Join Date: 26th December 2006 Location: Roskilde in Denmark Posts: 31 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I drive the same model picked up at the dealer December 15, I haven had any problems going straight on freeways and highways. My tires for the winter is Goodyear UltraGrip 7 (205/55-16H) with 2,25 bar pressure in all four, could it be because your tires have studs?

27th December 2006, 07:02	#13 (permalink)
Hemu Valve Cap Join Date: 20th October 2006 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I have lowered pressure to 2.1 and now stability is much better but still worse than my previous cars, Saab, Golf etc. One reason is surely studs. They are not meant to be used snowless roads. Still to go and get toes checked...