Rep Power: 0

Just got the 2008 civic si 12 days ago. The oil looked & smelled clean-ish, couldn't see any leaks or burning oil/smoke/smell. 45 miles later, on the highway, the a/c stopped blowing cold, then the blower slowly decreased to almost nothing. No lights or other symptoms. Parked overnight and everything was good for days. Got 4 new tires & replaced 2 bad TPM's. After leaving the shop and 20 miles later TPMS light came on. They reset the TPMS light. Next day, a slight ticking when it winds down.100 miles later, just shifting into 6th, albeit a bit early, VSA seemed to vigorously engage & the oil light came on & began slight knocking. Oil was very dark and covered the dipstick completely. I had to clean it 4x before I could get any kind of reading. Completely empty. Added 3/4 gallon, still only showed about 1/2 full, no more knocking or oil light. 2 miles later check engine, VSA, & /!\ lights all on. Heard more of a ticking than a knocking, but I limped back those 2 miles & parked it because idfk anything about newer than 2006 anything or VTEC, much less i-VTEC. No OBD2 reader and can't figure out how to read codes w/o it like older models. So here we are. Google searching indicates possible VTC components malfunctioning. What do you think? What can I check?

 
Rep Power: 125

First thing I would do is get an OBD2 reader to check codes because otherwise you're flying relatively blind. Either go to Autozone and have them read for free or spend $15 and get a code reader. If it's a VTC issue, the code reader will tell you.

Sounds to me like it's burning an excessive amount of oil, and I'm guessing the timing chain may have stretched from the lack of lubrication. This would also explain a potential VTC issue, as it'll make a rattling noise if the timing chain tensioner has insufficient oil pressure. The other issues seem to be more electrical than mechanical.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the input. I would have it checked, but now I'm afraid to drive it 25+ miles to get there. Figured I better get some advice be before I made any rash decisions. The car came from Puerto Rico too, so there's no telling?!?

Are there any other civic communities that may offer advice?

 
Rep Power: 0

Also, they didn't have the recommended 5w30, only 10w30 when I added 3 quarts. Didn't even think to check if synthetic or not. That shouldn't be that detrimental though, right?

 
Rep Power: 367

return the car?

 
Rep Power: 125

Reddit or Facebook are your other bets, but they’d just be saying the same stuff we are.

Those oils are close enough that it wouldn’t have an effect short-term.

Where are you located to have gotten a car from Puerto Rico?

 
Rep Power: 0

Florida.

& it was as is from dealership, idk if any lemon law would apply?

 
Rep Power: 222

Take it back

 
Rep Power: 125

As is means you’re on the hook, but it wouldn’t hurt to try to get some sort of refund.

Lemon law applies to new cars. This is far from that.