I LOVE my manual 2005 civic hybrid! I get about 45-50 mpg combined mountain back roads and highway and It feels modern compared to how old it it. Definitely takes a learning curve to figure out how to get up long hills without the battery running out or slowing down too much, but I can’t complain with getting 45-50 mpg!
What do you mean battery running out or slowing down? I ask because I'm about to buy a 2005 civic hybrid sedan tomorrow. Is there anything I should be worried about with the battery?
The battery isn’t huge, so it can run out quickly if you don’t drive it right when you are going up a mountain. An example is if I floor it when in 5th gear and I’m going 35mpg uphill. If I get enough momentum going and downshift as soon as I start to slow down, i can maintain a decent speed despite the small engine and still have a good battery level when I get to the top. For reference, I live in the Appalachian mountains. I’m not sure what kind of area you live in. You can see what it feels like when you test drive it, and decide if you think the engine has enough power for you.
I hope that answers your question about the battery and the car slowing down. Higher quality gas definitely gives it more power, and better gas mileage too! Honda Civic hybrids are definitely hard to come by, at least where I live. If you like a reliable, small car that gets amazing gas mileage, the Honda Civic hybrid might be the best car you’ll ever own. I think it’s the best car my family has ever owned. The only complaint I have is that the engine definitely doesn’t feel like a race car, but I can’t complain when it means that I pay half as much for gas. In terms of things to watch out for when buying used hybrids is the battery. After I number of years, it’ll probably need to be replaced. If they haven’t replaced it or it’s been a number of years since they have, you likely will need to soon. It can be somewhat costly if you do need to, so just keep that in mind when you are thinking about how much you are willing to pay for it if you decide to get it.
IIrC Zack, the ‘econ’ button on the AC was because the compressor was driven off the engine, so running the AC would disable auto stop. But with the econ button on, the AC would turn off when the engine did so auto stop still worked.
Bought a 2004 Honda Civic hybrid manual little over a month ago. While driving home the IMA light came on with the check engine light. Ended up buying a grid charger for the hybrid battery and installing it myself and completely fixed the issue without have to pay 2000$ for a new battery! BACK TO 50 MPG BABY!!!
I own this very car and my IMA battery went out about 3 months ago. I have yet to have any problems because of that fact and I am closing in on the 280k mile mark. Incredibly, I am now averaging 49 mpg, up about 5 from pre IMA failure. I specifically bought it for its commuter mileage for my 80 mile daily round trips. I had the clutch replaced about 20K ago but that and a new battery are all I have into it. What's also fabulous is you get 10k miles between oil changes! 3 quarts for the change [0-20W synthetic oil] and I usually need to add about a half quart in the middle of the oil change cycle. Due to how light it is you can also expect extra long wear on your tires--my original 40k rated tires went 65k. It is weak, rough around the edges, noisy, and gutless but gets much better mileage than any motorcycle I have ever owned and puts a smile on my face at every fill up! The only major downside is the fact that I own other vehicles that pale in comparison to this mileage--and I feel it when refueling any of them. I will drive this thing until it dies.
@@aurisdb8840 I only replaced the battery under the hood, not the IMA system. I haven't bothered replacing that IMA system because I get better mileage without it, and it honestly doesn't add much power anyway. I am at 286K and still going strong.
Enjoy it. I just crossed the 300k mark and have enjoyed three cross country drives from Atlanta to California over the years. These things are troopers with just a little maintenance.
I used to own a 2003 HCH like this, except I had the more common CVT automatic transmission. Wish I had the 5speed manual. Yes you can drive this car with the hybrid system de-activated since it does have a conventional 12v starter. However there is no alternator to keep the 12v battery charged, it uses a DC-DC converter to charge and power the 12v electrical system (like all other hybrids and EVs). If you intend to drive this with the high voltage battery disconnected, there needs to be provisions for keeping the 12v battery charged with some kind of battery charger.
Early 80s VW cars used to have an orange or yellow arrow in the middle of the instrument cluster that notified you to shift gears if you were revving too high
I own a 2003 civic hybrid with the ctv and get around the same fuel economy. I have 210xxx miles on it and have not had to replace the hybrid batteries yet. I’m not sure he can’t access under his driver side seat from the rear seat.
I bought one of these 10 years ago with 120k on it. It had the IMA light and I got it a discount because of it. It's now at 250k and has been the best value car of my life. The IMA battery is weak and needs go be reset every couple days, but still functions. I don't know what would make someone have to deactive it. The only thing I wasn't able to fix myself was the A/C compressor went out, but you can bypass it with a smaller belt and that's how mine has been for a couple years.
Great video I know a little few more about my vehicle now thanks just one quick question. I was looking up something for that car and I came around your video. Where is the power steering fluid reservoir on this vehicle? Again thanks. Awesome video.
I have the same model but mine is 2005, yes "stick shift". Nobody around me has one and many people don't believe me when I explain that mine is Hybrid with stick shift. My hybrid battery became weak and thinking to replace it. I am glad I watched this video. My hybrid battery is actually dead but indicater is showing that it is charging. Is it true that I have to unplug it when it is truly dead ? If you can create the video how to unplug it, it will be helpful.
I jad a 2005 hybrid with a manual transmission. Yhe battery was dying and it barely started. I was told that the Toyota Corolla hybrid could run even when the battery is dead
i have a question I own a 2004 honda civic hybrid does your fans in the engine cut on after the engine is shut off? can’t remember if they cut on while running up to temperature they were checked directly to see if they work fans are good , fuses are good , temp sensor is good if i remember it’s a common thing that these cars do which is normal
There is No alternator and No starter motor on the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. So if the IMA battery is completely dead, then the car is dead because the electric motor (that is run by the IMA battery) starts the car AND recharges the 12v battery.
You are right there is no alternator, but there IS indeed a 12v starter motor, that acts as a backup for starting the engine. Normally the high voltage motor/generator unit (MGU) starts the engine. However if the high voltage battery SOC is too low, or for any other reason, the car will use the 12v starter to crack over and start the engine if it needs to. I used to own a 2003 HCH and at times, when the car was getting older, the 12v starter would kick in.
the 7th gen hybrid was trash. you paid more and barely got more mpgs than a ice civic. and dont forget the battery issues. This civic show us the Prius was king.
The pirus proved a hybrid system can remove a lot of conventional drivetrain components and increase reliability vs half ass tacking on a hybrid system and leaving components like a conventional transmission, alternator and starter.
I disagree ice 7th gen civics don’t get as much gas mileage as the hybrids. Ice 7th gen civic gas mileage is at 38 based on epa. While hybrid is at 47 mpg
I owned one of these "Hondas," once. Always kept up with the maintenance, garaged for over half it's time on the road. This was, hands down, no question, the absolute WORST, MOST UNRELIABLE, POORLY CONSTRUCTED VEHICLE IVE EVER OWNED. If you value your money, NEVER buy a Hybrid civic! The batteries will fail and take precious, expensive components with them....I paid $2600 to replace the batteries out of warranty, and Honda replaces them with used batteries! A sensor used in the hybrid system bruned out when the batteries crapped out, adding another $800 to the repair bill. The oil pans on these vehicles are made of pot metal....100% crack/fail rate. Since these hybrid civics are horribly underpowered, the batteries and other components wear down much faster than they should due to being strained for each drive. I now drive a Toyota Corolla and 8 years later, I've replaced the tires, brakes and alternator belt....that's it! Never HONDA, never HYBRID!!!! YOU'E BEEN WARNED ⚠️
I didnt know the civic hybrid was ever manual. I’m mildly in love with those gauges, elegant, not flashy, but functional and carefully crafted.
Yes and it outlast the CVT transmission
@Escobar224 some of those cvts did pretty well, honda somehow made a cvt that doesn't blow up after 60k miles
I LOVE my manual 2005 civic hybrid! I get about 45-50 mpg combined mountain back roads and highway and It feels modern compared to how old it it. Definitely takes a learning curve to figure out how to get up long hills without the battery running out or slowing down too much, but I can’t complain with getting 45-50 mpg!
What do you mean battery running out or slowing down? I ask because I'm about to buy a 2005 civic hybrid sedan tomorrow. Is there anything I should be worried about with the battery?
The battery isn’t huge, so it can run out quickly if you don’t drive it right when you are going up a mountain. An example is if I floor it when in 5th gear and I’m going 35mpg uphill. If I get enough momentum going and downshift as soon as I start to slow down, i can maintain a decent speed despite the small engine and still have a good battery level when I get to the top. For reference, I live in the Appalachian mountains. I’m not sure what kind of area you live in. You can see what it feels like when you test drive it, and decide if you think the engine has enough power for you.
I hope that answers your question about the battery and the car slowing down.
Higher quality gas definitely gives it more power, and better gas mileage too!
Honda Civic hybrids are definitely hard to come by, at least where I live. If you like a reliable, small car that gets amazing gas mileage, the Honda Civic hybrid might be the best car you’ll ever own. I think it’s the best car my family has ever owned. The only complaint I have is that the engine definitely doesn’t feel like a race car, but I can’t complain when it means that I pay half as much for gas.
In terms of things to watch out for when buying used hybrids is the battery. After I number of years, it’ll probably need to be replaced. If they haven’t replaced it or it’s been a number of years since they have, you likely will need to soon. It can be somewhat costly if you do need to, so just keep that in mind when you are thinking about how much you are willing to pay for it if you decide to get it.
If you have any more questions, let me know! I’m definitely not an expert, but I’ll try my best to explain anything you are wondering about!
@@montanamaxx3824 is yours a manual?
I purchased one with a "bad IMA" almost 10 years and 120k miles ago and the IMA still functions with some tricks.
Much more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Rowing through the gears puts the gravy on your biscuits!
IIrC Zack, the ‘econ’ button on the AC was because the compressor was driven off the engine, so running the AC would disable auto stop. But with the econ button on, the AC would turn off when the engine did so auto stop still worked.
Bought a 2004 Honda Civic hybrid manual little over a month ago. While driving home the IMA light came on with the check engine light. Ended up buying a grid charger for the hybrid battery and installing it myself and completely fixed the issue without have to pay 2000$ for a new battery! BACK TO 50 MPG BABY!!!
I own this very car and my IMA battery went out about 3 months ago. I have yet to have any problems because of that fact and I am closing in on the 280k mile mark. Incredibly, I am now averaging 49 mpg, up about 5 from pre IMA failure. I specifically bought it for its commuter mileage for my 80 mile daily round trips. I had the clutch replaced about 20K ago but that and a new battery are all I have into it. What's also fabulous is you get 10k miles between oil changes! 3 quarts for the change [0-20W synthetic oil] and I usually need to add about a half quart in the middle of the oil change cycle. Due to how light it is you can also expect extra long wear on your tires--my original 40k rated tires went 65k. It is weak, rough around the edges, noisy, and gutless but gets much better mileage than any motorcycle I have ever owned and puts a smile on my face at every fill up! The only major downside is the fact that I own other vehicles that pale in comparison to this mileage--and I feel it when refueling any of them. I will drive this thing until it dies.
🙌
I'm hopefully buying one tomorrow 🙏
Awesome to read you comment!, hey did you ever replaced that battery? And if you did how much was it nowadays?
@@aurisdb8840 I only replaced the battery under the hood, not the IMA system. I haven't bothered replacing that IMA system because I get better mileage without it, and it honestly doesn't add much power anyway. I am at 286K and still going strong.
Enjoy it. I just crossed the 300k mark and have enjoyed three cross country drives from Atlanta to California over the years. These things are troopers with just a little maintenance.
I used to own a 2003 HCH like this, except I had the more common CVT automatic transmission. Wish I had the 5speed manual. Yes you can drive this car with the hybrid system de-activated since it does have a conventional 12v starter. However there is no alternator to keep the 12v battery charged, it uses a DC-DC converter to charge and power the 12v electrical system (like all other hybrids and EVs). If you intend to drive this with the high voltage battery disconnected, there needs to be provisions for keeping the 12v battery charged with some kind of battery charger.
What would you use for that? Would it be like an alternator going out in that you only have about 30 miles before you're screwed?
@@FirstnameLastname-pe5ibyes
This is how hybrids should be if the battery goes dead it can still drive.
Early 80s VW cars used to have an orange or yellow arrow in the middle of the instrument cluster that notified you to shift gears if you were revving too high
Intetesting! I have only ever seen an upshift arrow,never a downshift one!
@markhealey9409 the only other thing I remember is that it points up and would light up at certain rpm
I BET YOU CHANGED YOUR MIND ON CHANGING THE BATTERY AFTER THE GAS PRICES SKYROCKETED
I looked up a video on how to do it, it looks SO EASY
My dad had one of those. And the CVT transmission went out.
I had one of these.....the whole car went out! For a while I thought it was a Hyundai.
I love that these have an Mt
310k on my 2005 HCH with the manual. Original engine and transmission, original clutch just replaced 1k miles ago. Drives like new.
Very cool! What about the battery? I have to imagine you've replaced that once or twice
@@lulkLogan battery was replaced in 2015 at the dealer by the previous owner, so far so good
I own a 2003 civic hybrid with the ctv and get around the same fuel economy. I have 210xxx miles on it and have not had to replace the hybrid batteries yet. I’m not sure he can’t access under his driver side seat from the rear seat.
I'm actually pretty impressed. These old Honda IMA Hybrid systems tend to have weak batteries.
Watching this video made me safe cuz ive never had a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. When I watched the video completely I actually learned alot aswell.
Newer manual Kias tell you when to shift up and down too
I saw one of these for sale this morning exact same car, color and 5 speed.
Had a 2002 Civic pre-facelift, miss that car now.
2005 five speed 230k miles paid 3k got 49mpg at70mph for 1700mile drive from rapid cty to atlanta.... dead reliable get 42mpg stop n go
What could one do to drive without the ima? Wouldn't it be like driving with a dead alternator in that you'd be screwed in 10-30 miles?
I have 2 04 CVT civic hybrids and a 5 speed hybrids. I don't think I will ever get rid of the 5 speed. They are probably the most economical hybrids.
I bought one of these 10 years ago with 120k on it. It had the IMA light and I got it a discount because of it. It's now at 250k and has been the best value car of my life. The IMA battery is weak and needs go be reset every couple days, but still functions. I don't know what would make someone have to deactive it.
The only thing I wasn't able to fix myself was the A/C compressor went out, but you can bypass it with a smaller belt and that's how mine has been for a couple years.
Thanks for the video bro !
Great review ! A lot of good info !
Great video I know a little few more about my vehicle now thanks just one quick question. I was looking up something for that car and I came around your video. Where is the power steering fluid reservoir on this vehicle? Again thanks. Awesome video.
I have the same model but mine is 2005, yes "stick shift". Nobody around me has one and many people don't believe me when I explain that mine is Hybrid with stick shift. My hybrid battery became weak and thinking to replace it. I am glad I watched this video. My hybrid battery is actually dead but indicater is showing that it is charging. Is it true that I have to unplug it when it is truly dead ? If you can create the video how to unplug it, it will be helpful.
Chevy had a hybrid truck in this era too
It wasn't much more fuel efficient than the non-hybrid though.
Here in Brazil he got the ALMIGHTY Fiat uno which have 1.0 engine, manual stick and that shift light. Waaay odd.
I jad a 2005 hybrid with a manual transmission. Yhe battery was dying and it barely started. I was told that the Toyota Corolla hybrid could run even when the battery is dead
How much mpg at 65mpg?
69
Nice Video!
i have a question I own a 2004 honda civic hybrid does your fans in the engine cut on after the engine is shut off? can’t remember if they cut on while running up to temperature they were checked directly to see if they work fans are good , fuses are good , temp sensor is good if i remember it’s a common thing that these cars do which is normal
Do a review on this generation civic, but in the lx version
This cars so good, i sold my 3000gt to get this spec
lol
Thanks, and well done.
Lil Torque was my rapper name in high school ahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahaah
I’m trying to mod my hybrid it’s slow but fast at heart
What tipe of gas use this kind of car? Natural,flex fuel or regular
Reg ass unleaded
Regular
I’m looking for a four-door 2003 Honda Civic hybrid please
Got one going right now for 2,000
I'd honestly look at a different Hybrid. These older Honda IMA systems don't hold up well when compared to Toyota or Ford Hybrid systems.
There is No alternator and No starter motor on the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. So if the IMA battery is completely dead, then the car is dead because the electric motor (that is run by the IMA battery) starts the car AND recharges the 12v battery.
You are right there is no alternator, but there IS indeed a 12v starter motor, that acts as a backup for starting the engine. Normally the high voltage motor/generator unit (MGU) starts the engine. However if the high voltage battery SOC is too low, or for any other reason, the car will use the 12v starter to crack over and start the engine if it needs to. I used to own a 2003 HCH and at times, when the car was getting older, the 12v starter would kick in.
the 7th gen hybrid was trash. you paid more and barely got more mpgs than a ice civic. and dont forget the battery issues. This civic show us the Prius was king.
The pirus proved a hybrid system can remove a lot of conventional drivetrain components and increase reliability vs half ass tacking on a hybrid system and leaving components like a conventional transmission, alternator and starter.
It's a poor man's hybrid idk wtf Honda was thinking with this car nickel batteries? Why
I disagree ice 7th gen civics don’t get as much gas mileage as the hybrids. Ice 7th gen civic gas mileage is at 38 based on epa. While hybrid is at 47 mpg
Anyone outhere is selling one. I want to buy one 5 speed
@@nocheesable2345 my 2003 ex coupe with 6th gen HX wheels… 4 speed auto. 40-50mpg on a regular basis.
I owned one of these "Hondas," once. Always kept up with the maintenance, garaged for over half it's time on the road. This was, hands down, no question, the absolute WORST, MOST UNRELIABLE, POORLY CONSTRUCTED VEHICLE IVE EVER OWNED. If you value your money, NEVER buy a Hybrid civic! The batteries will fail and take precious, expensive components with them....I paid $2600 to replace the batteries out of warranty, and Honda replaces them with used batteries! A sensor used in the hybrid system bruned out when the batteries crapped out, adding another $800 to the repair bill. The oil pans on these vehicles are made of pot metal....100% crack/fail rate. Since these hybrid civics are horribly underpowered, the batteries and other components wear down much faster than they should due to being strained for each drive. I now drive a Toyota Corolla and 8 years later, I've replaced the tires, brakes and alternator belt....that's it! Never HONDA, never HYBRID!!!! YOU'E BEEN WARNED ⚠️
Sounds like an isolated issue
Sorry to hear that