1. I have heard many of you mention the rev limiter, and I was wondering if somone could explain to me how/when/why it works. What's it like when it kicks in?

2. I have a "check engine" dummy light coming on when I start up, but goes away after that. If there anyways to get it to stop (and I mean w/o taking it in).

3. This isn't a question really, but... I see alot of people on here complaining about how the S2Ks stock stereo sucks... But have you ever listened to it with the car off, windows up? It's sounds pretty nice... I think if everyone here were boaters, you'd understand what a convertible top does for a stereo... You have to have alot of power to hear it. But stock, that stereo would not be bad in a non-convertible. I wondeer how a stock stereo sounds to those who have the hard top.

See you guys at Starbucks

Tx_Phantom

 

1. It's the point at which the ECU (computer) cuts fuel/spark to prevent you from over-revving the engine. It's like hitting a brick wall. In first gear, put the pedal to the floor and don't shift. That's what it feels like.

A lot of people think that this is abuse or "bad" for the vehicle, it is not. It's there to prevent you from revving the engine to the point that the valvetrain or rods/pistons can't handle the forces involved.

Note that this does not prevent you from overreving during a mis-shift. If you are trying to shift from 5th to 6th near redline and accidentallygo back to 4th, though the rev limiter will kick in, the wheels/tranny will physically spin the engine faster than intended (whatever RPM would equal that speed with that gearing). You can still damage the engine this way.

2. Check engine lights come on for a reason. There are no "dummy" codes. Take it in and have the code pulled, or have a member or Autozone help you pull it. Just don't rely on Autozone or someone that's not Honda-specific diagnose the code for you (they probably will not send you down the right repair path).

If a check engine light flashes, that's a misfire. Take it to the dealer ASAP.

3. The S2k stereo isn't that bad, but it's Civic quality. $32k for a Civic radio is not acceptable to most people. The S2k gets a bad rap for having features comparable to a Miata that's priced much less. For $32k most buyers expect Acura features (like a Bose system).

 

Phantom,

I can see if there is a check engine code (and what # it is) sometime tomorrow during a stop on the drive.

 

The car shudders....it feels as though it's not getting enough fuel and trying to cut out on you.

 

Is it the Check Engine light, or the Maintenance Required light? There are two separate lights.

The Maint Required light comes on after a certain # of miles to remind you to get the oil changed. There is a procedure in the manual to reset it.


Mine is doing it right now...


I've hit the rev limiter a 2 or 3 times when I was excited and forgot to shift in time(D'OH!!!). It doesn't do much - just stops accelerating basically.

 

If it's the "Maintenance Light" flashing when you turn the ignition on, then there is a simple (but super-secret) reset procedure to make that stop. It's telling you that it's time to change the oil/filter/etc. Make sure you're up-to-date on your maintenance before resetting it.

If it's the "Engine" light, and it just comes on for a second before you start the car... I think that's pretty normal. Just like many of your other gauges come on before you start the car, just so you can verify the lights are working.

You should be able to distinguish the two. I'm pretty sure the maintenance light says "Maint Required" on it.