manualsoverautomatics
Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2019
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 2
- Location
- Erie, PA
- Vehicle(s)
- Honda Civic Si 2018
- Thread starter
- #1
Hi all -
I'm brand new to this forum (appreciate the approval), and I have some questions and concerns about my 2018 Civic Si, and I'm hoping for some recommendations for what I should/can do about it.
Background about me: my first car was a 99 Civic LX (manual) that was 10 years old at the time that I learned to drive right off the lot. I also leased a 2013 Civic Si for 3 years that I drove when I lived in Chicago (so obviously dealt with city traffic and highway miles when I worked out in the suburbs). I had no troubles with either transmission or clutch for that matter. I decided to purchase a 2018 Civic Si because I loved my 2013 one and didn't want to lease again due to uncertainty of where I would be living at the time (in grad school) and was concerned about mileage. Purchase date was right around Christmas in December of 2017. I have kept up with regular service maintenance, even sometimes getting some things slightly ahead of time if I know I'm going on a road trip and wanted to be preventative.
Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago, I decided to take my car in to get an oil change, cabin filter replacement, and the 18K package done. However, I will say, I was at 23,000 miles but not past the oil change date or mileage, etc. Also, about 80% + of those miles are highway miles due to a number of 8-hour road trips (visiting family, etc.). The other 20% is related to city driving (not Chicago anymore), some of which is traffic-related. I'm being so detailed because I knew something felt off, but hoped the maintenance package, filter replacement, and oil change would take care of it. I also was going on a 2 week road trip (yes, it's long, I can work on my dissertation from anywhere which is nice ), from PA to NC, then NC to IL, then IL back to PA. On my way to NC, I knew something was DEFINITELY wrong. Now, I said noob for a reason, I don't know all the terms/language that most/all of you do, but what I can say is:
1. I was continuously kicked out of my cruise control (which is paramount for me as I have had a few speeding tickets...I know, I know, but it's always me passing someone because they're being an idiot, I swear!);
2. I noticed issues with the engine revving much higher and faster once already in the appropriate gear. For example, if I was in 4th gear and only at about 2500rpms and stepped on the gas just as one normally would, it would shoot up to 4000-5000rpms and then quickly go back down. It did this in 4th, 5th, and 6th gear. I'm not sure if this would be what is considered slipping? But I could tell something was off. It felt like the entire ride was just one weird, jerky, up and down bumpy ride.
3. Side note, when I was at the dealership prior to my trip, the woman reviewing billing mentioned to me that we may need to start discussing transmission fluid around 30K. So, I made an appointment with a friend I knew since middle school at the Honda in Charlotte. I spoke with both him and his boss, and his boss test drove it with me. Of course, in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear, there wasn't much to show. It did happen once in 4th, but we couldn't go any faster. I discussed it with them both at length, and even though my friend mentioned to his boss to consider the clutch, the boss thought everything was probably fine and so we chose to do the transmission fluid early, thinking that might have something to do with it.
4. WRONG. I left NC and barely got past the VA state line when my car just felt like it was pulling me into a lower gear. Best part is I was going DOWNHILL - and semi trucks were passing me because I could not get it to go above 40mph, then 30mph, then 20mph, and I couldn't even make it to the next exit. I pulled over ON THE MOUNTAIN SIDE and asked my friend who just looked at my car my best option. He said to call Roadside Assistance and that it was the clutch and that all would be covered under warranty. Even the tow driver, who came an hour later, said the same thing. After another hour of driving (back into NC I might add), I got to the dealership and they immediately said there's no way it's the clutch, yada yada.
5. JOKES. He was like okay, just kidding, it's 100% the clutch. He said I had to pay $660 to open the transmission to see if it was faulty or worn. And to replace it, it would cost $3600. And it wouldn't be ready for days. In the end, I didn't have many options, allowed him to open it up, rented one of their rental cars, am currently sitting in Chicago with plans to drive the rental back to NC to pick up my car. I got them to lower it to $1800 total, but that's because there are no aftermarket parts to even use because it's so new, they claim they only cover if it's defective or if it's worn within 6 months, but in my opinion, how is it not defective if it's already worn in under 6 months?
6. Anyway, I know I wrote an effing novel and I apologize, but here's where I'm at now. They want $1800 for a clutch I am 98% positive I did not wear down suddenly, the warranty says it won't cover "normal wear and tear" but to me that isn't normal so shouldn't it be covered? Even if it isn't exactly within the 1 year because of when it was purchased, it is still under the 3 year. They're also saying I may have to pay $1000 for the tow, which is insane because to my knowledge, everyone told me it was covered! I could've called my insurance company for a free tow if I knew I'd have to pay. Plus it's close to $200 for the rental.
Any thoughts on this?? I've seen a few threads mentioning the "weak clutch" in the recent model year Si's. The guy also told me they redesign it like every year or two which is also why it isn't available aftermarket, but that also says to me, it's probably not as effective if they have to keep redesigning it or they're just waiting to screw you for your money because they know you'll have to come to them. My dad is considering lemon law and wants to sell it and go with another make all together (he worked on and off for Honda for years in sales and he is just pissed because he thinks it's shady and he never knew about their loophool). Anyway, I've seen some people mention going from Si to VW. I was debating on just leasing (from now on lol) a Jetta GLI 6-speed. Thoughts on any of the above??? I would REALLY appreciate any feedback!!
THANKS SO MUCH,
Melissa
I'm brand new to this forum (appreciate the approval), and I have some questions and concerns about my 2018 Civic Si, and I'm hoping for some recommendations for what I should/can do about it.
Background about me: my first car was a 99 Civic LX (manual) that was 10 years old at the time that I learned to drive right off the lot. I also leased a 2013 Civic Si for 3 years that I drove when I lived in Chicago (so obviously dealt with city traffic and highway miles when I worked out in the suburbs). I had no troubles with either transmission or clutch for that matter. I decided to purchase a 2018 Civic Si because I loved my 2013 one and didn't want to lease again due to uncertainty of where I would be living at the time (in grad school) and was concerned about mileage. Purchase date was right around Christmas in December of 2017. I have kept up with regular service maintenance, even sometimes getting some things slightly ahead of time if I know I'm going on a road trip and wanted to be preventative.
Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago, I decided to take my car in to get an oil change, cabin filter replacement, and the 18K package done. However, I will say, I was at 23,000 miles but not past the oil change date or mileage, etc. Also, about 80% + of those miles are highway miles due to a number of 8-hour road trips (visiting family, etc.). The other 20% is related to city driving (not Chicago anymore), some of which is traffic-related. I'm being so detailed because I knew something felt off, but hoped the maintenance package, filter replacement, and oil change would take care of it. I also was going on a 2 week road trip (yes, it's long, I can work on my dissertation from anywhere which is nice ), from PA to NC, then NC to IL, then IL back to PA. On my way to NC, I knew something was DEFINITELY wrong. Now, I said noob for a reason, I don't know all the terms/language that most/all of you do, but what I can say is:
1. I was continuously kicked out of my cruise control (which is paramount for me as I have had a few speeding tickets...I know, I know, but it's always me passing someone because they're being an idiot, I swear!);
2. I noticed issues with the engine revving much higher and faster once already in the appropriate gear. For example, if I was in 4th gear and only at about 2500rpms and stepped on the gas just as one normally would, it would shoot up to 4000-5000rpms and then quickly go back down. It did this in 4th, 5th, and 6th gear. I'm not sure if this would be what is considered slipping? But I could tell something was off. It felt like the entire ride was just one weird, jerky, up and down bumpy ride.
3. Side note, when I was at the dealership prior to my trip, the woman reviewing billing mentioned to me that we may need to start discussing transmission fluid around 30K. So, I made an appointment with a friend I knew since middle school at the Honda in Charlotte. I spoke with both him and his boss, and his boss test drove it with me. Of course, in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear, there wasn't much to show. It did happen once in 4th, but we couldn't go any faster. I discussed it with them both at length, and even though my friend mentioned to his boss to consider the clutch, the boss thought everything was probably fine and so we chose to do the transmission fluid early, thinking that might have something to do with it.
4. WRONG. I left NC and barely got past the VA state line when my car just felt like it was pulling me into a lower gear. Best part is I was going DOWNHILL - and semi trucks were passing me because I could not get it to go above 40mph, then 30mph, then 20mph, and I couldn't even make it to the next exit. I pulled over ON THE MOUNTAIN SIDE and asked my friend who just looked at my car my best option. He said to call Roadside Assistance and that it was the clutch and that all would be covered under warranty. Even the tow driver, who came an hour later, said the same thing. After another hour of driving (back into NC I might add), I got to the dealership and they immediately said there's no way it's the clutch, yada yada.
5. JOKES. He was like okay, just kidding, it's 100% the clutch. He said I had to pay $660 to open the transmission to see if it was faulty or worn. And to replace it, it would cost $3600. And it wouldn't be ready for days. In the end, I didn't have many options, allowed him to open it up, rented one of their rental cars, am currently sitting in Chicago with plans to drive the rental back to NC to pick up my car. I got them to lower it to $1800 total, but that's because there are no aftermarket parts to even use because it's so new, they claim they only cover if it's defective or if it's worn within 6 months, but in my opinion, how is it not defective if it's already worn in under 6 months?
6. Anyway, I know I wrote an effing novel and I apologize, but here's where I'm at now. They want $1800 for a clutch I am 98% positive I did not wear down suddenly, the warranty says it won't cover "normal wear and tear" but to me that isn't normal so shouldn't it be covered? Even if it isn't exactly within the 1 year because of when it was purchased, it is still under the 3 year. They're also saying I may have to pay $1000 for the tow, which is insane because to my knowledge, everyone told me it was covered! I could've called my insurance company for a free tow if I knew I'd have to pay. Plus it's close to $200 for the rental.
Any thoughts on this?? I've seen a few threads mentioning the "weak clutch" in the recent model year Si's. The guy also told me they redesign it like every year or two which is also why it isn't available aftermarket, but that also says to me, it's probably not as effective if they have to keep redesigning it or they're just waiting to screw you for your money because they know you'll have to come to them. My dad is considering lemon law and wants to sell it and go with another make all together (he worked on and off for Honda for years in sales and he is just pissed because he thinks it's shady and he never knew about their loophool). Anyway, I've seen some people mention going from Si to VW. I was debating on just leasing (from now on lol) a Jetta GLI 6-speed. Thoughts on any of the above??? I would REALLY appreciate any feedback!!
THANKS SO MUCH,
Melissa