06 HCHII @ 180k
 

Happy to report that my hybrid is still running strong at 180k miles after 5 years. At the time, I was about to have my first child and needed 4 seats. My Honda S2000 just wouldn't do for obvious reasons. Bought one and picked up my daughter from the hospital 2 months later. When I first bought it, I only got 37mpg. Slowly I learned about hypermiling and eventually got my personal best of 70mpg on a tank netting a lifetime average of 53mpg before the software update. At 110k miles, the IMA light came on. Car ran fine at the time, but I took it in anyway. Got the software update and began noticing the annoying recals. My mileage plummeted to 44mpg and I hated life. Recals came on a daily basis (typically 5-10 times/day). Started shopping around for another car at around 130k miles. At the time, I definitely did not want another hybrid. I was looking at cars to replace ranging from an Integra Type-R, a Mugen Civic Si, a Honda Ridgeline, and a Mercedes C63 AMG. In the end, I didn't pull the trigger on any of the cars and decided to just run the car to the ground until the battery dies. I made a decision to stop making a conscious effort to hypermile. Oddly enough, my mileage started to go up around this time. Perhaps using the battery less often helped? Or maybe old habits die hard (I'm getting 25mpg in my wife's 19mpg '10 BMW M3)? These days, I average about 48mpg since the software update. The car recals about 10-15 times/day a now, but I learned how to live with it. At a stop light, I usually disengage the autostop and shift to L to recharge the battery at the light. Sometimes I'll drive in L or S to move from a stoplight if the battery is not fully charged. Maintenance has been ok (replaced the 12V, regular oil changes, regular tire changes, still the same ole' Dunlops). Car has some body damage thanks to my wife (sure, she treats my car like crap, but not her M3). Too afraid to send the car to the body shop since I'm afraid of letting the car sit idle for too long. And occasionally it's fun to toss this car in the corners (surprisingly good handling and good steering feel compared to my brother-in-law's Prius or my wife's previous Camry). I'm still waiting for the car to die anyday now. Before, I had planned on trading the car in or junk it (dunno how much it's worth at its high mileage) when the IMA dies. Now, I don't know...

Re: 06 HCHIII @ 180k
 

Welcome to the "My HCH isn't perfect but I'm keeping it anyway club"

My 2003 Civic hybrid has had the IMA light on since about 170,000 miles but it just keeps going and going. I also get frequent recals but the IMA system works like it's supposed to most of the time.

I'm up to 246,000 miles now and hoping to get at least 300,000. If not this car owes me absolutely nothing.

Good luck with it, just take it easy on her and hopefully you have 100K left...

Re: 06 HCHIII @ 180k
 

Congrats on the miles...I have put 40k on mine in the last (almost) 5 years. I can't imagine living with these recals for another even 100k...keep us updated!

Re: 06 HCHIII @ 180k
 

I've gotten used to the recals. I'll downshift to S and rev the motor up to 3500-4000rpms if I need to get moving from a dead stop. I'll routinely rev the S2k up to 9000 rpms and M3 up to 8400rpms, so 4k in the hybrid isn't too big of a deal for me. Despite doing that, running AC (I live in TX), and varying between 65-75mph on the freeway, I'm surprised I'm still getting the mileage that I'm getting based on the car's meter (which is usually lower than calculated anyway).

Re: 06 HCHIII @ 180k
 

Why don't you guys get the battery replaced at the "constant regen point". One battery for 130k miles and another battery for another smooth 130k miles. Is that not worth it?

nf

Re: 06 HCHIII @ 180k
 

great story there! i liked how you made the negative a positive and have kept the car for so long, now with 180k miles i suppose it shouldnt worry you too much about the body condition!

cant wait to get my civic hybrid next year!

Re: 06 HCHIII @ 180k
 

MedicalStudent - I hope my HCHII will last until 180k. I got 90k now and was wondering if you brought your HCHII in for the 105,000 timing belt / water pump maintenance?

Re: 06 HCHIII @ 180k
 

Yep, what Sterling said!