Seems our radio in our 2007 Honda Civic GX is broken. This error message was already on when I got into the car the day before but I wanted to check the long-term blogs to see if anyone mentioned it. No one did.
In any case the satellite radio doesn't work, neither does the CD player or the radio. I looked it up in the owner's manual since this thing seems to be asking for a code but the manual doesn't say anything about a special code or this issue. However, when I Googled it, I came across this: https://radio-navicode.honda.com/
Not sure how this happened in the first place but apparently the anti-theft light turns on when you replace the battery. Although I don't think anyone did that over the weekend.
POST EDIT: OK, that Web site didn't recognize the VIN but I did finally find a card with the code on it in the owner's package located in the glovebox. So that's fixed. Yay.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX
Why did I pick our 2007 Honda Civic, boring to drive as heck, over the snazzy 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS for my ride last night?
Continue reading...
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
On my way back from a night at the movies with some friends on Friday, I spotted something at the 76 on La Cienega and Olympic: a CNG pump. Score! I was pretty stoked -- the station's just a couple of blocks from where I live, and the pump's presence meant I wouldn't have to drive all the way to Santa Monica to get the tank filled over the very rainy weekend.
The CNG pump is pretty new to that station. The attendant said it's been there for "less than two months." Nice to see more options being offered for drivers of CNG vehicles.
Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor @ 36,980 miles
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX
Our natural gas Civic does not like rough pavement. Last night I was puttering home and rolled up to a stop sign. The pavement leading up to the intersection was riddled with small potholes and choppy asphalt and the Civic did not take kindly to it. Under normal braking, I felt the front wheels wash away as the tires struggled to find grip - almost like I was trying to stop on gravel. It was something I hadn't noticed before, so I began paying closer attention to the car's suspension. Next was a right turn that forked-off of the main boulevard. I knew this turn well, since in my earlier years, I used to use a mid-corner bump to gleefully pitch my old musclecar into a brief little slide. Even at sensible speeds without intentionally trying to upset the Civic, it too stepped out just slightly as it rolled over the bump. I was not impressed.
Continue reading...
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX
Below are the fuel economy numbers for December 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.
As usual, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.
| |
Car |
Best
|
Worst
|
Average
|
|
2009 Audi A4 |
28.3
|
14.2
|
21.2
|
|
2009 Audi S5 |
22.3
|
10.8
|
17.0
|
|
2008 BMW 750i |
23.3
|
12.4
|
17.5
|
|
2009 BMW M3 |
24.2
|
10.8
|
16.0
|
|
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS |
23.1
|
9.4
|
17.0
|
|
2009 Dodge Challenger R/T |
26.4
|
10.3
|
17.1
|
|
2009 Dodge Ram 1500 |
19.4
|
10.5
|
15.0
|
|
2009 Ford Flex Limited |
26.7
|
13.3
|
19.3
|
|
2007 Honda Civic GX |
47.3
|
12.7
|
38.4
|
|
2009 Honda Fit Sport |
39.0
|
24.9
|
31.0
|
|
2010 Honda Insight EX |
43.9
|
27.9
|
38.7
|
|
2009 Hyundai Genesis |
28.5
|
14.3
|
21.3
|
|
2009 Infiniti FX50 |
22.0
|
11.7
|
17.0
|
|
2009 Mazda 6 |
30.2
|
18.7
|
23.9
|
|
2010 Mazdaspeed 3 |
28.1
|
16.3
|
21.2
|
|
2009 Nissan 370Z |
27.0
|
12.0
|
18.0
|
|
2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
24.3
|
12.0
|
18.0
|
|
2009 Suzuki SX4 |
28.3
|
17.2
|
23.1
|
|
2010 Volvo XC60 |
20.0
|
12.7
|
17.4
|
After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.
Continue reading...
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Suzuki SX4,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX,2010 Mazdaspeed 3,2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD
I've got blowdown failure.
It's not fatal, but it does gets a little frustrating. It's been taking an extra 30 minutes or so to get the job done every night.
Seems like each time I hook the 2007 Civic GX up to the Phill home natural gas fueling system, a red error light pops on before I've walked the 20 feet to the door leading from garage to house.
The first two green lights on the fueling indicator display also light up when I go back and push and hold the Phill's "stop" button, as instructed in the service manual I got when the Phill was installed nearly two years and 2,000 operating hours ago.
The handy dandy Phill error decoder pages in the manual tell me that the problem is "blowdown failure," an apparent obstruction somewhere in the Phill's nozzle or fuel filler hose - or maybe the car's fuel filler inlet.
Continue reading...
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX
Below are the fuel economy numbers for November 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.
As usual, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.
| |
Car |
Best
|
Worst
|
Average
|
|
2009 Audi A4 Avant |
26.8
|
15.2
|
21.7
|
|
2009 Audi S5 |
22.3
|
10.8
|
16.2
|
|
2008 BMW 750i |
23.3
|
12.4
|
17.5
|
|
2009 BMW M3 |
24.2
|
10.8
|
16.0
|
|
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS |
23.1
|
13.1
|
17.4
|
|
2009 Dodge Challenger R/T |
26.4
|
10.3
|
17.1
|
|
2009 Dodge Ram 1500 |
19.4
|
10.5
|
14.1
|
|
2009 Ford Flex Limited |
26.7
|
13.3
|
19.2
|
|
2007 Honda Civic GX |
47.3
|
12.7
|
31.8
|
|
2009 Honda Fit Sport |
39.0
|
24.9
|
31.0
|
|
2010 Honda Insight EX |
43.9
|
27.9
|
38.5
|
|
2009 Hyundai Genesis |
28.5
|
14.3
|
21.2
|
|
2009 Infiniti FX50 |
22.0
|
10.7
|
17.1
|
|
2009 Mazda 6 |
30.8
|
18.7
|
23.8
|
|
2010 Mazdaspeed 3 |
28.1
|
16.3
|
21.2
|
|
2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
24.3
|
12.0
|
18.0
|
|
2009 Suzuki SX4 |
28.3
|
17.2
|
23.1
|
|
2010 Volvo XC60 |
19.6
|
12.7
|
16.9
|
After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.
Continue reading...
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Suzuki SX4,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX,2010 Mazdaspeed 3,2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD
So after spending last weekend in our Mini E and jumping into our 2007 Honda Civic GX last night, I think I'm able to develop a quasi-educated opinion about our two green cars. As you already know the Honda is our natural gas long-termer, the Mini E our electric car.
Honda Civic GX
Pros:
- Even though it has a small trunk at least you can carry three passengers.
- Awesome fuel range.
- Can fill at home with Phill
- Ours has a single occupant car-pool lane sticker. Woo!
Cons:
- The limited availability of natural gas fueling stations makes it tricky for planning long road trips.
- Not fun to drive but at all.
Mini E
Pros:
- Still retains some of its gokartness.
- I find it easy to drive in stop-and-go traffic once I got used to taking my foot of the accelerator to slow down, etc.
- No gas required.
- Can charge it at home even without a specially installed wall charger.
Cons:
- With only two seats and a tiny trunk, you can't haul much around.
- Takes a lonnnng time to recharge.
- Very limited driving range means you have to carefully plan your trips or take none at all.
- Would have to be your second car.
Which one do I prefer?
Continue reading...
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2009 Mini E
Below are the fuel economy numbers for October 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.
As usual, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.
| |
Car |
Best
|
Worst
|
Average
|
|
2009 Audi A4 Avant |
26.8
|
15.2
|
21.7
|
|
2009 Audi S5 |
22.3
|
10.8
|
16.2
|
|
2008 BMW 750i |
21.8
|
13.0
|
17.3
|
|
2009 BMW M3 |
20.7
|
10.8
|
15.7
|
|
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS |
23.1
|
13.1
|
17.3
|
|
2009 Dodge Challenger R/T |
26.4
|
10.3
|
16.6
|
|
2009 Dodge Ram 1500 |
19.4
|
10.5
|
14.1
|
|
2009 Ford Flex Limited |
26.7
|
13.3
|
19.2
|
|
2007 Honda Civic GX |
47.3
|
12.7
|
31.5
|
|
2009 Honda Fit Sport |
39.0
|
24.9
|
30.9
|
|
2010 Honda Insight EX |
43.9
|
27.9
|
38.1
|
|
2009 Hyundai Genesis |
28.5
|
14.3
|
21.2
|
|
2009 Infiniti FX50 |
22.0
|
10.7
|
17.1
|
|
2009 Mazda 6 |
30.2
|
18.7
|
23.7
|
|
2010 Mazdaspeed 3 |
26.7
|
16.3
|
20.1
|
|
2008 Mitsubishi Evo X GSR |
22.6
|
11.0
|
17.0
|
|
2009 Nissan 370Z |
24.4
|
13.2
|
18.4
|
|
2009 Nissan GT-R |
21.8
|
11.5
|
16.4
|
|
2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
24.3
|
12.0
|
18.0
|
|
2009 Suzuki SX4 |
28.3
|
17.2
|
22.2
|
|
2010 Volvo XC60 |
19.0
|
12.7
|
16.5
|
After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.
Continue reading...
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX,2010 Mazdaspeed 3,2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD
Besides the lower emissions our Civic GX enjoys, there's an added bonus -- the refueling experience is much cleaner compared to gasoline-powered cars. There are no liquids spilling at the pump and no ruined shoes. Also, the nozzle is easier to maneuver than the heavier, California-compliant gasoline ones. First-time fillers may feel a bit apprehensive with the different procedure, but it soon becomes as routine as with any other car. It's also convenient that CNG pumps feature a readout that displays how much more you have to fill. Yes, sometimes it'll take longer to refuel, but maybe that'll change someday.
Mark Takahashi, Associate Editor @ 34,960 miles
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX
Below are the fuel economy numbers for September 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.
As always, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.
| |
Car |
Best
|
Worst
|
Average
|
|
2009 Audi A4 Avant |
26.8
|
15.2
|
21.7
|
|
2009 Audi S5 |
22.3
|
11.8
|
17.0
|
|
2008 BMW 750i |
21.8
|
13.0
|
17.3
|
|
2009 BMW M3 |
20.5
|
10.8
|
15.6
|
|
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS |
23.1
|
13.8
|
17.7
|
|
2009 Dodge Challenger R/T |
26.4
|
10.3
|
16.7
|
|
2009 Dodge Ram 1500 |
16.3
|
10.5
|
13.3
|
|
2009 Ford Flex Limited |
26.7
|
13.3
|
19.1
|
|
2007 Honda Civic GX |
47.3
|
12.7
|
31.7
|
|
2009 Honda Fit Sport |
39.0
|
24.9
|
30.8
|
|
2010 Honda Insight EX |
43.9
|
27.9
|
38.0
|
|
2009 Hyundai Genesis |
28.5
|
14.3
|
21.3
|
|
2009 Infiniti FX50 |
22.0
|
10.7
|
17.2
|
|
2009 Mazda 6 |
29.4
|
20.7
|
23.7
|
|
2008 Mitsubishi Evo X GSR |
22.6
|
11.0
|
17.0
|
|
2009 Nissan 370Z |
24.4
|
13.2
|
18.3
|
|
2009 Nissan GT-R |
21.8
|
11.5
|
16.4
|
|
2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
24.3
|
12.0
|
18.0
|
|
2009 Suzuki SX4 |
28.3
|
17.2
|
22.9
|
After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.
Continue reading...
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX
Hopped in the long-term Civic GX this morning and noticed that the floormat was scooched up over the base of the pedal.
I wouldn't normally have noticed - it wasn't much of a scooch - but I'd just written a piece about that massive Toyota safety campaign and pending recall for scrunched-up floor mats that were jamming gas pedals, so the subject was on my mind.
Continue reading...
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX
Below are the fuel economy numbers for August 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.
As always, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.
| |
Car |
Best
|
Worst
|
Average
|
|
2009 Audi A4 Avant |
26.8
|
15.2
|
21.7
|
|
2009 Audi S5 |
22.3
|
11.8
|
16.5
|
|
2008 BMW 135i |
27.7
|
13.9
|
19.9
|
|
2009 BMW M3 |
20.5
|
10.8
|
15.7
|
|
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS |
21.7
|
14.7
|
17.5
|
|
2009 Dodge Challenger R/T |
26.4
|
10.3
|
16.7
|
|
2009 Dodge Ram 1500 |
16.3
|
10.5
|
13.2
|
|
2009 Ford Flex Limited |
26.7
|
13.3
|
19.2
|
|
2007 Honda Civic GX |
47.3
|
12.7
|
31.7
|
|
2009 Honda Fit Sport |
39.0
|
24.9
|
30.6
|
|
2010 Honda Insight EX |
43.9
|
27.9
|
38.0
|
|
2009 Hyundai Genesis |
27.5
|
14.3
|
21.1
|
|
2009 Infiniti FX50 |
22.0
|
10.7
|
17.3
|
|
2009 Mazda 6 |
30.2
|
18.7
|
23.5
|
|
2008 Mitsubishi Evo X GSR |
22.6
|
11.0
|
17.0
|
|
2009 Nissan 370Z |
24.4
|
13.7
|
18.4
|
|
2009 Nissan GT-R |
21.8
|
11.5
|
16.4
|
|
2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
24.0
|
12.0
|
17.6
|
|
2009 Suzuki SX4 |
28.3
|
17.6
|
23.0
|
|
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI |
43.0
|
28.0
|
34.5
|
After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.
Continue reading...
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 BMW 135i,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX
Below are the fuel economy numbers for July 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.
As always, a few cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.
| | Car | Best | Worst | Average |
| | 2009 Audi A4 Avant | 26.8 | 15.2 | 21.5 |
| | 2009 Audi S5 | 22.3 | 11.8 | 17.0 |
| | 2008 BMW 135i | 27.7 | 13.9 | 19.8 |
| | 2009 BMW 750i | 21.8 | 12.4 | 17.3 |
| | 2009 BMW M3 | 20.5 | 12.6 | 16.0 |
| | 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T | 23.4 | 12.0 | 16.6 |
| | 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 | 16.3 | 10.5 | 13.3 |
| | 2009 Ford Flex Limited | 26.7 | 13.3 | 19.1 |
| | 2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe | 40.6 | 16.6 | 26.7 |
| | 2007 Honda Civic GX | 47.3 | 12.7 | 31.6 |
| | 2009 Honda Fit Sport | 39.0 | 24.9 | 30.9 |
| | 2010 Honda Insight EX | 43.9 | 27.9 | 36.5 |
| | 2009 Infiniti FX50 | 22.0 | 10.7 | 17.1 |
| | 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X GSR | 22.6 | 11.0 | 17.0 |
| | 2009 Nissan 370Z | 24.4 | 13.7 | 18.1 |
| | 2009 Nissan GT-R | 21.8 | 11.5 | 16.4 |
| | 2009 Pontiac G8 GT | 24.0 | 12.0 | 17.6 |
| | 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion | 43.4 | 23.5 | 33.6 |
| | 2009 Suzuki SX4 | 28.3 | 17.6 | 23.0 |
| | 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI | 43.0 | 28.0 | 34.5 |
After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.
Continue reading...
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 BMW 135i,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI,2010 Honda Insight EX
There's not much new to say about the Civic GX - it still runs like a top, albeit one that's a bit slow to wind up; hasn't given us any trouble and except for a little body work after a fender-bender hasn't been in the shop other than for oil changes and one brake job (a problem with Civics).
The first major service isn't scheduled until 100,000 miles - that's about 67,000 miles from now - and I've every reason to believe it will get there just fine.
Not sure about its home fueling companion, though.
Our Phill is about 25 percent through its apparently artificial lifespan of 6,000 hours.
The installer pointed this out to me when he hung the unit on the garage wall: FuelMaker programmed the software to shut the system down at 6,000 hours to ensure that nothing bad would happen - and, probably, to make a little more money as the approved route was to ship it back to FuelMaker for a $2,000 rebuild.
Continue reading...
Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX
