Honda Civic Auto Repair & Service
Honda Civic HF |
Honda Civic Hybrid |
Honda Civic SI Coupe |
Honda Civic SI Sedan |
Honda Civic Natural Gas | Honda Civic Sedan |
Honda Civic Coupe
We
service and repair all makes and models of Hondas. Our Honda Civic auto
repair services are unconditionally guaranteed. If a Honda Civic auto repair or
service is not satisfactory, we will make it right, at our expense!
And if the we cannot do it in one
day, and you need a rental car, we will provide it for you as well, at
no charge while your Honda Civic auto repair is being completed.
Automotive Instincts provides a full range of
Honda Civic auto repair services, from major engine repair to simple oil and filter change. Some of the
Honda Civic auto repair services we provide for your Honda Civic are listed below.
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High performance modifications |
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Cooling System Service |
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Shocks, suspension, axle repairs |
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Emission related repair/replacement |
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Timing belt replacement |
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Electrical and drivability problems |
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Engine overhaul and replacement |
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Honda Civic Auto Repair: Brakes
Brake symptoms to watch out for:
Check your brakes if you have any of the following symptoms:
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Your vehicle pulls to one side when you press on the brakes.
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Your brakes require more pressure than normal to stop.
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Pedal sinks to the floor
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Scraping noise
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Chatter noise when your press on the brake pedal
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Brakes drag when you are not pressing the pedal
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Hard pedal
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Low brake pedal
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Pedal Pulsation
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Squeals
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Grabby brakes
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Yellow or brownish fluid leak under the car
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Every inch counts in an emergency stop!
We understand the importance of your
brakes for the safety of you, your family and the public at large.
That’s why we have deliberately made many internal decisions that allow
us to give your Honda Civic car the best braking ability possible.
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We use the best brake components for your Honda Civic.
The Honda Civic parts we select for your Honda Civic brake service and repair meet or exceed your car manufacturer’s specifications. In most cases, we use the manufacturer's part. Typically Honda parts provide the best stopping power are the safest. |
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Our
Honda Civic Technicians are well trained and experienced.
We don’t shave costs by hiring just anyone to do your Honda
Civic brake work. Our
Honda Civic auto repair technicians are qualified ASE Certified or Master technicians. This gives you an eagle eye looking over your car and making the right decisions when it comes to your braking system.
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We use the best equipment and tools to service your
Honda Civic brakes.
One of the best pieces of equipment found in our shop is our “On-the-car-brake-machine.” This equipment allows us to turn the rotors while they remain on
your Honda Civic. This uses the car’s particular characteristics to accurately shape the rotor.
By using our “On-the-car-brake-machine”, if your Honda
Civic car has a slight bend in the axle, taking the rotor off the car when performing brake service and repairs and turning it on a brake machine would shape it improperly for your
Honda Civic. This could cause premature wear, and brakes that pulsate or pull to one side. |
Honda Civic Auto Repair: Change Oil/Filter
Most Honda Civic owners ponder over when would be a good time to change
the oil in their Honda Civic. There are two distinct schools of thought; experts who believe that the oil
in a Honda Civic vehicle should be changed every 3000 miles. On the
other hand, there are some other people who believe that most engine
oils today are made with fluids of different densities and inevitably
have detergent in them which does not allow for the accumulation of
soot. As a matter of fact, most manufacturers recommend that
engine oil should be changed every 5,000 miles or once a year, whichever
comes first unless you use synthetic oil.
However, you need to understand that the manufacturer recommendation only applies when the
Honda Civic vehicle is operated under optimal conditions; the majority of drivers operate their vehicle under conditions which are considered severe for your engine oil such as: frequent short trips (less than 10 miles, especially during cold weather); stop-and-go city traffic driving; driving in dusty conditions (gravel roads, etc.); or driving at sustained highway speeds during hot weather. This means that the 5,000 mile oil change will only do if you drive your
Honda Civic in optimal conditions. Because most people drive under more sever conditions, they need to be more diligent about their oil changes.
In a survey of over 300 ASE certified master techs over 60 per cent said the oil should be changed at 3,000 miles, the long recommended standard. Only 29 percent said between 3,000-5,000 miles is okay. Less than two percent said oil change intervals of 5,000 to 10,000 miles are acceptable. These and other experts recommend that for regular usage, which includes city driving, you should go for a
Honda Civic oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every four months. This holds true for almost every make and model of
Honda Civic car.
There are also several other factors that will have a bearing on the frequency of oil change needed.
One of the reasons why manufacturers can afford to exaggerate the oil change figures is because they are dealing with a new
Honda Civic engine with just a few miles on them. As you operate the
Honda Civic vehicle and accumulate more mileage; it becomes imperative to ensure that the oil in
your Honda Civic is keeping the engine clean and cool. If the oil is not changed as required in older
Honda Civic cars, it will result in greater engine wear and tear and trouble such as reduced fuel efficiency, decrease in performance, increased oil consumption and increased emissions.
When sending your Honda
Civic for an oil change, you also need to consider changing the filter. Not changing the filter every time you change your oil may reduce your short term maintenance cost, but long term it may take its toll on your pocket book by causing severe engine problems. Most mechanics are of the opinion that the filter should be changed every time you change your oil
in your Honda Civic vehicle. The filters in newer Honda Civics are considerably smaller than the quart sized versions used in older models. The pint sized filters of today need to be changed every 3,000 miles because they will lose efficiency long before the 6,000 mile mark is reached.
Regular oil changes for preventative maintenance are cheap insurance against engine wear, and will always save you money in the long run if you keep a
Honda Civic for more than three or four years. It's very uncommon to see
a Honda Civicthat has been well maintained with regular oil changes develop major bearing, ring, cam or valve problems under 100,000 miles.
The next time, you see your mileage meter hitting the 3,000 to 5,000
mile mark, take your Honda Civic to the nearest certified mechanic for a quick and hassle free oil change and oil filter replacement.
Honda
Civic Auto
Repair: Transmission Service
& Repair
Transmission Service and Repairs can be very expensive, sometimes several $1,000’s.
There are many minor causes of transmission problems that might scare
you needlessly.
If you are having transmission problems, don’t despair, it may not be a major issue. We have seen numerous times when a customer comes to us in a panic, expecting the worst because of a shifting problem. Then, after inspecting the
Honda Civic, we find the problem was not major.
Here are just a few that we have seen that could be at the root of your
transmission or shifting problem.
Transmission
Trouble with your Honda Civic
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Transmission Fluid Leaks / Low Fluid Level
Your Honda Civic may have a small or large leak of the Transmission Fluid. There are a few causes of this and the fix can often be quite affordable.
Transmission problems due to prolonged bad fluid often results in major damage. The purpose of the transmission fluid is to protect the internal parts from damage by cooling and lubricating helping to keep it operating smoothly and efficiently. However, just like motor oil, transmission fluid breaks down with time and use. Once transmission fluid loses its properties to protect the inside of the transmission, your transmission degrades quickly.
Usually when you have transmission problems due to neglected fluid, the problem is severe and expensive to repair. That is why it is less expensive to perform periodic Transmission Flushes. Because seals start to harden inside, this causes delays going into gear, shifting issues, and eventually (or sometimes suddenly) complete internal transmission breakdown.
Your car’s owner manual lists the recommended service intervals. These are the minimums that the manufacturer requires so you remain covered under the warranty period. It’s important to point out that the manufacturer has a balancing act when they specify these intervals. On one hand they want you to protect the transmission from problems so they don’t have to pay excessively for repairs. On the other hand they don’t want to be known for requiring services at intervals that are too frequent. The latter issue causes damage to sales appeals.
Many auto repair shops and specialty shops do not perform a thorough transmission flush service. They simply drain some of the old fluid and add back in new fluid. Certainly this is better than only old neglected fluid, but it only helps a little.What is needed is to completely flush out the old fluid from the transmission, then replace it with the right fluid and top it off with a transmission fluid additive that adds extra protection. The way we usually do this is by adding a special flushing fluid that increases the temperature of the fluid. This helps suspend contaminants that are adhering to the walls of the transmission.
Most automatic transmissions still have a filters or screens that need replacing or cleaning when serviced. These filters or screens usually are only accessible by removing the transmissions oil pan (a normal procedure with a complete service) with a thorough inspection of the inside. The oil pan has a magnet placed at the bottom to help attract any loose debris that can commonly wear. The magnet should be inspected and cleaned, the filter should be replaced and the screen should be cleaned, then the pan gasket can be replaced and new fluid added to the system
Just as with your engine’s oil change, the transmission oil filter needs to be changed. Not changing the filter or cleaning the screen can reduce your transmission fluid flow and increase temperatures quickly. Also, by performing a visual inspection inside the oil pan, we have the ability to catch major problems before they occur, potentially saving customer’s thousands of dollars.
Think of a full dirty bathtub with a ring around it. Just draining most of the water and replacing the drained water with clean water does not give you a clean bathtub. It’s similar with your transmission. Our process is like circulating clean, hot water through the bathtub until the water and the tub is clean. THEN, we add in new water.
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Vacuum Lines that have come out or loose
When this happens usually, your transmission won’t shift at all.
A non-shifting transmission can scare you, but if this is the cause, the cure is not painful at all.
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Linkages and/or cables that have come loose or out of adjustment
These run from the transmission to the throttle body. If one comes
out of adjustment, you may experience shifting issues such as no
shifting, hard shifting or late shifting.
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Bad Solenoid
The transmission contains shifting solenoids inside (and on some models, outside). The symptoms from this transmission problem cause a wide array of
Honda Civic shifting problems, like not shifting into particular gears. Usually, a bad solenoid gives problems with specific gears or sets of gears like 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
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Honda
Civic Computer problems
Today’s Honda Civics all have computers in them to help coordinate all the
functions. But the computers can develop problems and
seem to cause a transmission problem. Symptoms from a computer
problem range from no shifting to erratic shifting.
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Sensor defects
Each Honda Civic has sensors that tell the transmission when to shift.
Fixing this problem is much easier and more affordable than a new
transmission.
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Bad Fluid
There are occasions when a fluid flush/change fix your
transmission problem. We like to do this to see if
it solves the problem affordably. However, if we find that it
doesn’t help, we remove the charges, if we do a major transmission
repair or rebuild. It’s often a smarter first step because it may
fix the problem.
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How to reduce heat & keep your Honda Civic transmission working.
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Avoid Jackrabbit Starts
Hard accelerations create a lot of friction and heat in the transmission. Take it easy on the gas and your transmission will live longer.
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Help the Shift
Most of the friction and wear in the transmission takes place
during the shifts. Get to know when your transmission shifts
normally. Then, just before the shift, back off on the gas just a
bit. That will reduce the load on the interior components, and
eliminate much of the friction during the shift.
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Keep the Cooling
System in Good Shape
Most car’s radiator also provides cooling for your
transmission. And heat damage will take place in the transmission long
before the engine appears to overheat. So regular cooling system service
can help your transmission run cooler… and last longer.
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Add an External
Transmission Cooler
If you travel a lot in extremely high temperatures or carry a lot of
weight in your car, an auxiliary transmission cooler is a great way
to reduce heat and add years to your transmissions life. |
If you think you are having transmission problems with your Honda Civic,
and need Honda Civic transmission service and repairs,
Automotive Instincts has been a AAA Approved
Honda
Civic Auto
Repair shop since 1989. All of our Honda Civic mechanics are ASE Certified.
We are the only ASE
Blue Seal of Excellence
Honda
Civic Auto Repair Facility in the Northridge, Woodland
Hills areas. We have strong alliances
with transmission vendors which
allow us to give you a variety of great choices for Transmission
Rebuilding, Re-manufacturing or Repairs.
Honda
Civic
Auto Repair: Rotate Tires &
Wheel Alignment
How often should I rotate my tires on my Honda Civic?
Tire rotation should be included in every
Honda Civic Auto Repair & Service car owner's maintenance check list. The position of each of your
Honda Civic's tires in relation to the role they play in vehicle stability means the level of wear significantly vary for each wheel.
Failure to rotate them can overall lifespan on your Honda Civic by as
much as 40%. Honda Civic tires on the side of the vehicle that is near
the curb will be worn faster on the outer side due to frequent impact
with the curb or with objects on the outside of the road. Transferring
these tires to the other side of the vehicle means both sides of the
tire receive equal wear. For front-drive Honda Civic vehicles, the wear
will more often be on the front tires than on the rear ones. An
indication that your tires need rotating is when they start producing a
whining sound while you're driving on a flat level road.
Rotating the tires at pre-determined intervals
on your Honda Civic ensures that all tires receive even wear and tear.
Tire rotation needs to be done if both the front and back tires in your
vehicle are the same size. In this case they are rotated on every
service or at 7,500 mile intervals. If your tires are not the same size
do not rotate them.
Rotating the tires on your Honda Civic enhances the performance and overall safety of
your Honda Civic vehicle and also increases tire life - thus
lowering the vehicle's running costs and saving you money. The enhanced
tire traction means the chances of skidding or losing vehicle control
are reduced. In addition, there will be improved performance and
efficiency by your brakes making you less prone to accidents, and
improved gas mileage. To ensure your Honda Civic car is in optimal condition and to
maximize safety, visually examine the tires on your Honda Civic auto regularly
for wear and tear. If you are not sure how often to rotate your Honda
Civic tires, please ask us.
Honda
Civic Auto
Repair: Check Engine Light
What Should I
Do When The Honda Civic Check Engine Light Comes On?
You notice a little illumination on the
Honda Civic dashboard. The Honda Civic check engine light comes on. The check engine light
means exactly that - you need to have the engine checked. An engaged
check engine light refers to the computer having picked up on a problem
with the engine. There is no way to ascertain the exact nature of the
problem until you bring it into the Honda Civic dealer or your Honda
Civic auto repair shop. A diagnostic of the Honda Civic engine, an
electrical scan through the computer system, can be run. The scan will
reveal the computer code that has been recorded. The mechanic will be
able to then determine the exact problem with the Honda Civic engine and
recommend corrective action.
If the Honda Civic engine starts to shimmer and shake in a violent
manner, pull your Honda Civic off the road and turn the engine off.
Otherwise you should continue on to your final destination. A severe
problem may or may not be present.
Sometimes, a loose gas caps causes a leak of fumes which can cause the
engine light to go on. Tightening the cap properly (turning it past the
full close, until you hear a "squeaking" noise). The Honda Civic check
engine light will to go off relatively quickly. If this does not resolve
the problem, take your car to a certified
Honda
Civic auto repair facility as soon as possible.
In most instances, the problems with your Honda Civic will be relatively
minor. A wire may be loose or a spark plug may need to be replaced. Such
minor problems can generally be fixed in a relatively short period of
time and without huge repair bills. Do not assume that you dcan ignore
the Honda Civic check engine light. Take your Honda Civic into the Honda
auto repair shop and have it checked out as soon as possible. You do not
want to have a mechanical breakdown or learn the hard way that your
Honda Civic is long past due for a major tune.
Honda Civic Auto
Repair: Ventilation System
There could be a serious
problem hiding in your car, your Honda Civic's cabin air quality. Mold, mildew and bacteria are a growing concern in many vehicles’ ventilation systems. The dark and damp ventilation units are a perfect breeding ground for microorganisms that can be potentially harmful to your health. The result is a mix of mold, mildew and bacteria blown into the
Honda Civic passenger compartment every time the fan is turned on.
We now offer "Ventilation System Service". It only takes 20-30
minutes while your car is in for Honda Civic auto repair and service. The
Honda Civic technician seals the car
and starts the process of treating the ventilation system. The result is
a healthy solution that restores Honda Civic's interior air quality, and effectively
treats mold, mildew and bacteria as well as eliminating offensive odors.
Honda
Civic
Hybrid Auto Repair: Hybrid Vehicle
Service
 Automotive Instincts has been at the forefront of Hybrid Vehicle Service and repairs. Our staff has been attending classes for a few years on these new breed of vehicles.
If you have a Honda Civic Hybrid, please call our auto repair facility
for service.
Because we are so well qualified, our shop can perform required maintenance for vehicles under warranty.
Cars under warranty needing repairs or recalls will still have to go to the dealership.Keeping our environment clean
In addition to Civic Hybrid Auto
Repair and service we are taking many steps forward in helping keep our environment clean. We have started the process of reducing or eliminating the harmful effects on the environment from our shop. This process is important for future generations and starts with us.
Fast Service
Because we are one of the largest
Honda Civic auto repair and service facilities in the area, we are able to get your car in and out the same day in most cases. We also offer some of our
Honda Civic services on a while you wait basis.
Transportation
For your convenience, Automotive Instincts provides the following transportation services:
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Courtesy Customer Shuttle
You
don’t have to make arrangements with a friend or family member to
drop your car off for work. Just come on in and we will supply you
with a local ride to work or home and pick you up when your Honda
Civic auto repair is finished. And there is no cost to you. |
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Car Rentals
On those rare occasions
when you need to leave your car for
Honda
Civic auto repair and service that take more than the normal one day, we have made arrangements with “Enterprise Rent-a-car” for $26 a day rentals. We pay the difference, all you pay is $26 a day. There are some requirements and restrictions so be sure to ask your
Honda Civic service advisor about all the details. |
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