Question about the Honda Civic Hybrid

[unhappycamper]

I picked up a 2008 Civic Hybrid on January 2, 2009 and have been reasonably happy with it.

Earlier this year I drove 1,022 miles from my son's front door to my front door and I got 47.8 MPG by keeping the speed under 75.

In May I received a notice from Honda that they had a computer update for the cah. I took it in, got my update, and my MPG dropped by at least 20%.

I have about 260 miles on my current tank of gas and my current MPG is 33.4 which is terrible if you consider that 160 miles of that 260 miles was highway driving. I don't *ever* recall getting less than 40MPG on the highway, even during cold weather.

I've taken this thing back to the dealer three times so far complaining of shitty gas mileage. Has anyone else experienced this?

I'm so pissed I'm about ready to trade it in on a Prius. :(

[TommyO]

1. Not a civic hybrid owner/driver, but I found this

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/civic-hybrid-owners-disappointed-battery-software-fix-28450.html


“My 2008 purchased new started having these problems about 6 months ago. Now Honda reprogrammed the software. Made it even worse.”

“I took my 2007 HCH with 38,000 miles to the dealer for the software update a week ago. Prior to the update, I had no problems or complaints with my car. I loved it. Just the right combination of mileage, 41 mpg average with adequate power. After this update my mileage has dropped to 35.5 average with a noticeable loss of power.”

Apparently, the software change does not directly address the battery problem—but instead reduces the vehicle’s reliance on the batteries and electric motor. Essentially, the “fix” extends the life of the battery, but turns a Civic Hybrid into a standard hybrid in the process. As a result, fuel economy is reduced from low- to mid-40 mpg, to the level of a standard hybrid in the mid-30s. The change also deprives the Honda hybrid system, known as Integrated Motor Assist, of its ability to “assist” by receiving a power boost from the electric motor during acceleration.


edited to add another one that may be of interest: http://www.theday.com/article/20100821/BIZ07/308219990

[unhappycamper]

2. Thanks!

I forgot to mention that I've been scouring the internets for while now on this 'update'.

[frazzled]

3. L.A. Times addressed issue: it's about not replacing the warranty batteries

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/14/business/la-fi-honda-20100815

When Honda Motor Co. rolled out its latest-generation Civic hybrid, it was sold as the automaker's green car of the future.

But five years into production, Honda has discovered that its high-tech batteries can die years early, a potentially expensive flaw that the automaker has been addressing with a software update that many owners claim has made the car less environmentally friendly.

Jason Marchesano of Overland Park, Kan. said the battery in his 2007 Civic hybrid started losing its ability to hold a charge last year. Rather than replace the battery, which was under warranty, Honda loaded a software program into the car's computer that he said made the car sluggish and slashed the vehicle's gas mileage.

When he complained again several weeks ago, Honda installed a second software update, cutting efficiency further. Today he gets just 33 miles per gallon, compared with 45 when the car was new.

(...)

Marchesano and other hybrid owners fear that Honda has decided to sacrifice their vehicles' performance in order to avoid the huge cost of replacing thousands of faulty batteries, which are still under eight- or 10-year warranties and cost as much as $3,000 each to replace.

[unhappycamper]

5. Thanks!

I hadn't seen that article.

[obxhead]

4. Contact some Honda performance shops and see if they can

roll the computer update back for you.

[bcool]

6. Got the update...

I had the update put in in May, too...noticed a small drop-off in mpg.

Mine seems to be really sensitive to the temperature and/or type of gas used. Last week I averaged about 47 mpg; on this week's new tank of gas (and colder temps). I'm only seeing 43 mpg.

If I could, I'd trade it in for a Volt :-)

That being said, it's holding its value well - my personal property tax valuation of it went UP this year, pretty unusual for a car.