Hello all! This is my first post after so many searches and I still have some questions anyways. Ive been reading the forums frequently and learning so many things about the Civic, and I really think that is the perfect car for crowded cities like Mexico City or Los Angeles for instance.

Im aware that there are lots of readers of this forum that live in southern California and Im guessing the performance and mileage per galon is completely different when you live at the sea level than when you live in a city like Mexico city which is located at 7000ft above sea level.

Ive had my Civic hybrid for 2 weeks, been driving very very different as I used to drive my old Audi TT and I have to say that I dont miss my turbo engine. The civic is perfect in so many ways, confortable, great suspension and good in high speeds too. Im still on my second tank since I got it and its getting better in terms of efficiency. My first tank achieved only 310 miles but I think it wasnt really full, my second tank now is giving me 372 miles and I still have more than a quater of gas. My average MPG or I must say KMperL is 16 according to the trip computer, I dont know if this is normal but Im aware that the MPG gets better with some time, anyways, height is always a problem with this kind of engines.

I still dont know how to force the Auto Stop function but I think its working pretty normal now, the process for the car to decide if it goes to auto stop or not is pretty amazing and its very very acurate depending on the situation.

Also, I think Hybrid Civic drivers in mexico have another problem and that is the quality of the gas, its very very bad indeed. Gas here (and I mean premium gas or the highest level of gas we can get) is around 90 octanes (no kidding) which is poor indeed when you compare it to gas you can get in the US like the one that is 92 octanes.

What do you think? Maybe Im still driving "agressive" for the car and Im not getting all the MPG I deserve or maybe its just the way it is because of the conditions of this city..(weather, altitude, air preasure)

I hope it gets better tough...

Last week I sent an email to the PR people from Honda in Mexico cause I will write an article about Hybrid cars on a technology magazine where Im the publisher. The Prius is not here yet, but I think full electronic mode could make a difference in cities like this (this is only a guess, I dont really know)

Well! I envy you guys for getting that mileage!!!! anyways...I will keep posting about he experience of having an hybrid car in Mexico..for now Im happy for not paying taxes for the vehicle (great government iniciative) and happy for being able to be one of the first people to jump into the "eco" friendly cars in my country. There is a lot to do, but hey, one by one we will achive something for our planet, right?