[GreenDiesel]

Originally Posted by EX99STICK

Rob:
Your Civic probably needs a new OX sensor. Check with the auto parts stores in your area and find out which ones will scan your car's computer (free service) for error codes. That should point you in the right direction.
Your Civic is barely broken in at 160 km. I have a '99 EX sedan with 130 km that gets 40 mpg and never gives any problems. My first Civic was a '96 that went approx. 300 km before I sold it for $2,000. The key is to run synthetic oil, keep your tires (I run Pirelli P4s) at 45 psi, switch to 15 inch wheels (used from 2001 thru 2005), and drive easily (no jack rabbit starts and shift below 2k rpm). I'm planning on modifying the trans with the final drive ratio from a VX model to reduce the rpms on the hwy, and adding a front spoiler from a 2000 Civic SI to reduce frontal drag. A KN air filter may also be in the works to improve breathing.
Civics are somewhat noisy, so I took the door panels and carpeting out and added cheap pipe insulation (looks like foil on one side, self-stick on the other) to the insides of the outer door panels and backdies of the interior door panels, two layers to the front and rear footwells, and even under the seats (removed them of course). Then I took the dash cluster, radio, and glovebox out and stuffed small pieces of 1 inch thick foam (available from a fabric store) in all of the dash crevices. The transformation to the inside is absolutely amazing...no more noise!
Best wishes,
Alex Manz - Lewis Center, OH
Good luck

Thanks, Alex. This is helpful -- good ideas to consider. I certainly like the idea of adding insulation to reduce the noise, because it sure is on the noisy side! Cheers, Rob