Hybrid News

Is it recycled? I know Toyota tries to collect all its hybrid batteries. On the other hand, I heard that they have not figured out a safe way to recycle the batteries yet. Is this true? If so, then the environmental benefits of driving a hybrid may be less tenable then what we are led to believe.

Hello friends. Excuse me if i am posting this question in the wrong place. I am a new happy owner of a new HCH II 2009 , waiting to write my first experiences from the car and i am wondering how most of you have found the logo of GreenHybrid in your signature with your mileage in it.

Thanks in advance.

How do you change out the wiper blade inserts? I’ve read in an older thread that it can be done quickly and easily. I already know how to get the blades off the arm but how do I remove and replace the inserts? I’m afraid I’m going to break the blades with my tinkering.

There is a service bulletin out for all 2006-2008 Civic Hybrids regarding the braking system:
http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/A08-057.PDF
"Brake System Makes a Short, Buzzy Grunt When the Brake Pedal is Pressed"…. it sounds like a fart, there’s no nicer way to put it.

There are two speaker icons you can click on in the above link and it will let you listen to the sound. I’d never really paid attention to it before, but I most definitely have had the sound occasionally in the past and it did it twice today. It also states that this can be extremely difficult to duplicate as the occurrences can be weeks apart.

The 2.5 hour fix is to replace the Master Cylinder and Servo Unit Assembly, which is about a $1500 part!

My local dealership has never given me any if ands or buts about doing any TSB work so I’m going to see if I can get this done along with a 3rd set of sun visors.

Ok, so it’s not really anything to do with mileage or hybrids etc… But I can′t believe the amount of attention it garners! People point, wave and honk all the time

Oh, I run an IT dept (mostly Windows) at my day job and on the side I’m &quotThe Salem Mac Guy&quot. (I live near Salem, OR)

The amber colored Check Engine or Engine Malfunction Indicator (don’t have the manual in front of me to verify the name) came on in our 2006 HCHII on 10/31. We checked that the fuel cap was on tightly per the manual but it remained on that night. The next morning it was off but then it would sporadically be on/off on different trips in the car. Sometime mid last week it came on and stayed on all times the car was started.

Last night we brought it to the dealer for service (we purchased it used from them just this past April). They called to say the diagnostics were giving them 4 different codes - one fairly minor repair, two he didn’t discuss, and the engine wire harness ($1400 part and $900 labor). He mentioned that they saw a fair amount of corrosion (not sure if that was specific to the expensive repair or in general). They’re keeping the car today to keep investigating but wanted to check here to see if others had had similar experiences.

We′re a little upset to be facing this expensive repair on a car this dealer should have inspected before selling to us - especially depending how extensive the corrosion is.

while traveling from Arizona back to California this weekend past, my first "bad" mpg tank! But, the conditions were horrible: dust storms, wind storms, rain, cold…you get the picture. Cruise control set at 65, my average milage was at 42.5 at the end of the 400+ mile trip. (mpg went down as low as 37.5, my lowest reading while driving a long distance.) Still not too bad. Battery charge bar went down to one square while coasting downhill on the 1-10 freeway west into the Coachella Valley here in California. The thing is I couldn’t really tell the car was being (wind) pushed against. Finally figured out the mileage was suffering due to the weather conditions. (Tried this trip a little faster at 65mpg, always around 49/48 range. I’m usually at 60mpg, 50+ each trip, however, each and every prior trips to/from Arizona, the conditions were great!)

Even though this occurred, the car did what it’s supposed to do-run well! Truly having a great time learning/driving the 08′ HCH II and remaining extremely impressed with technology and design!:D

Be well all, and happy, safe driving!

I just got my 2009 Civic Hybrid - I love driving it. . . truly a great car.

Question: The IMA battery on the display goes anywhere from 4 bars (half) to 8 bars during my commute. Usually, it hovers around the 4-6 bar range. It has not gone below 4 bars, and when it is at 8 bars, it doesn’t stay there for too long. Is this normal?

I can’t stop watching that battery display, always waiting for the battery to charge up.

Thanks.

I bought a sheepskin seat cover. It adds about an inch of cushion to the entire seat and is very comfortable.

I still may need to add a little extra lumbar cushion, but the entire effect is a huge improvement. I expect the wool at my pressure points to settle a little, form to my body, and provide even support.

I do sit higher and even with the seat at the lowest setting, I doubt there would be room for a moonroof.

I tried a "custom" cover from a local store Overland and it did not fit at all. Then I tried their "universal" and it fit great. It’s more like a small rug with good straps than an actual cover. The middle strap appears to go high enough that the side airbag will not affect it. The saleman told me if the airbag did go off the strap would "blow" if it was in the way.

I did miss my heated seat pad. I tried the pad under the lambskin, but it took much longer to feel much less heat and put off an odor (melting lamb?).

So, I installed the heated seat on top of the lambskin. Seems weird, but it actually is working so far.

Seat comfort is my main complaint of the HCHII and if this works out long term (I plan on using the lambskin in summer) I can see myself keeping this car until the wheels fall off. (or just before)

Sorry, I don′t have pictures. I will have to do a photoshoot after I put the snow tires (& wheels) on.

Cheers, nf

PS Here is the website for the store. As I mentioned the CUSTOM seats to not fit the HCHII, but the univesal one fits great. It is a new product and I don’t see it on the site, but I am sure you could order it from their number — 1-800-OVERLAND (800-683-7526). The cost is $119.

http://www.overland.com/SeatCovers.aspx

I recently bought a used ‘07 Civic Hybrid about a week ago, so I’m new to the Honda hybrid system. I have read that it will cruise on electric only at low speeds under light load, but I have yet to experience this.

Can you describe your experience of running on electic motor only? Does the gas engine turn completely off?

Thanks - Kenneth

Just got an interesting letter in the mail today, wondering if anybody else has and if they’ll join in. Letter from American Honda says they would like to stick some soft of data recorder on my IPU and battery so they can suck data for about two weeks, and giving me $500 for doing it. Anybody else?

what would be a good price to pay today for a civic hybrid, looks like base price is higher now for over $24k compared to a few months ago about $22.5k

What’s a good price for today, can you hasle with dealer as demand is not too high?

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do…hotopanel..1.*

Greetings,
Upon autostop the car never reengaged. I tried to start the car and heard the starter gears grind so apparently the engine was running. I put in in park braked, and the car still rolled a few feet! As the car rolled it made a winding sound which faded as the car rolled to a stop. Fortunately I was able to let the car roll out of traffic. I had to shut the car off and restart. I have scheduled an appointment with Honda. Does anyone have any insight concerning this issue? Any info might shed some light which I can convey to service. BTW the car’s recall issue was fixed. Many thanks!
Sorry for double post. Edited the the title but it failed to change on the forum.

These words were flashing at me over and over again (one by one) in my ‘07.

I guess we’ve moved beyond the &quotCheck Engine Light&quot. Anyway, I checked it. It was fine (tight).

Clicked the ‘puter button. The warning has not returned.

Has this happened to anyone?

nf