Just bought an '03 Si hatch...have a coupla questions...

First off, I really like the car. It has plenty of power, handles well
and looks pretty cool (to me, at least). I only paid $15,900 and the
1.9% financing is icing on the cake.

Here are some pix if anybody's interested:
http://www.frontiernet.net/~adrew/si/

Anyway, I had a few questions that I hope y'all might know the answer to:

1) Is there any benefit to using premium gas in the Si? I know it
uncorks a few additional horses in the Accord, even though it's not
required.

2) The dealer told me to bring it in at 3,750 miles for a complimentary
oil change. The manual says to do it at 10,000 (which I'd never do) or
5,000 depending on conditions. In the past I remember reading that the
special break-in oil shouldn't be changed early. Should I just wait
'til 5k?

Thanks,
Adam

 

Congratulations on your new purchase.

What does the owner's manual say about premium fuel? Does it recommend
premium fuel for a slightly higher engine output? If not, then don't use
it. If so, your chose.

If it were my car, it would wait until 5,000 miles for the first oil change.
That way I would still be within the factory recommendation.

 

I second that, use the fuel your manual recommends. Oil, wait for the 5,000
miles; always listen to your manual, never to your dealer (even if it's
free).

 

I have a 2002 si and changed the breakin oil at 4500 miles. Use the 87
octane, it runs great on it. get a cold air system installed, you will
notice the increase in power. I now change oil at 3500 miles.
I have a 2001 accord v6 coupe that had the first oil change at 1000 miles. I
should have left the breakin oil longer, but no sweat, the engine is very
strong and does not not show a drop in oil level on the stick even after
4000 miles. I use 87 in the v6 with no loss of power. Your civic will burn a
little oil which is normal for this power packed 160 hp. the si 2002 engine
is getting stronger with about 4500 miles on it. It will burn rubber with
less takeoff throttle if you don't watch it. Get the cold air package it
will really sound off under heavy throttle. I have a southern research cat
back sys that takes about 10 min to install on the si. I run it a month and
then switch back to the stock system when I want a little quiet, because it
is so loud. You can feel a nice vibration in the steering wheel with the cat
back. I think it cuts down on the low gear torque but sounds like thunder
under hard throttle. I put 17 inch light weight wheels and low profile tires
on which allow very fast turns.