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Alright, forgive my lack of knowledge about Civics, it's my first. Basically my first car I had (though too ashamed to mention what it was, haha) is now dead. Typical story I know. The repair shop told me I drove it too hard which I guess was his way of saying I drove too much and too fast for what it was built to handle. That was an automatic though so I can't really see how, but anyway, I am not a tech so I don't question. Now, I bought myself a 2005 Civic SE Sedan. It has 62,000 on it right now and I am very pleased that it is much faster than my old one. Right now I shift at about 4,000 to 4,500. The guy at the dealer said that the best place to shift was 3,000 to 3,500 but I don't like that because it feels too early. That being said, I am wondering, how hard can you push these things before they will wear out noticeably faster than if you shifted at the "recommended" points? If I shift at say 4,500 or so consistently, will I wear it out a lot faster than if I do what he recommended? Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 412

scare tactics...

I've raced my car bouncing off the rev limiter and have no problems so far (2k1 with 77k). As long as you change the oil and keep it lubed, it should be fine.

 
Rep Power: 290

I stopped driving my car hard when i was 18. Maybe you will too. Once I left home it became harder to change the oil every 3000 miles and stuff like that. I think most of all I feel kind of guilty for not keeping it washed and waxed all the time so i reasoned I should take it easy on the drive train. Another plus is I don't have to worry about tickets (a bunch of people I know seem to be getting more tickets). But like robbclark said just keep it lubed up and maintained and you should be alright.

 
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Funny thing is, I already am 18, haha. I don't know though, cars were never on my mind until about 6 months ago, haha. Alright, I'll just be sure to keep it nice and lubed then. Thanks guys.

 
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STOP DRIVING AN AUTOMATIC!!!... LOL!!!.. then u can shift it when and wherever u want.. i raced an 87 crx si in chicago.. changed the oil every weekend.. and had no problems.. and the car over 250k on it.. so yeah get a manual and keep the fluids clean.. lol and u will be fine

 
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Well, I already do drive a manual actually...haha. My Civic is a 5 speed manual. So that's that portion done. I hate automatics, haha. As for the fluids, alrighty, thanks, I shall keep them nice and clean and fresh.

 
Rep Power: 302

i have 97k on my 01 no major problems yet besides the shifter assembly. i shift @7k quite often. Not as often as I used to but as long as the engine is well lubricated it was made to handle that rpm or it wouldnt be able to spin it. they way i see it is that Honda put a rev limiter on the car to keep any damage form happening. so if your not over revving(which you cant really) then you will be fine. Now if your consistantly launching the car off the line your going to run into problems. but shifting @4500-5000 is nothing and will be fine for the entire life of the car

 
Rep Power: 225

their japanese four cylinders. meant to be reamed. you dont even hit the powerband until your above 4500.

 
Rep Power: 412

reading>you...his OLD car was an automatic, his new car is a manual. Changing the oil on a race car every weekend is fine, but for a DD it does not have to be that much. But point taken on keeping the engine lubed.

 
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So how often SHOULD I be changing the oil? I read the owner's manual and I think it said every 13k or so...but since I drive my car harder than the average person, what should I be changing it at?

 
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well i dont know what the conversion from miles to km is, but i change mine every 5000 miles using synthetic, and i hit 7000rpm every day, i have 111,000 miles on my 01 but ive seen 3000 as the regular

 
Rep Power: 811

these cars can take a beating. usually the first to go is the trans. engines last a long time. its not a good idea to redline it every day, but an occasional hi rev day is good to keep it in good shape. driving it slow isnt good either. idk, it really depends on conditions. 4k should be fine.