DEAR PAKWHEELERS - THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL HONDA CITY OWNERS - NEW SHAPE (MINE IS 2011). THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT FROM THE COMPANY CAUSING SERIOUS PERFORMANCE ISSUES WHICH MANY OF US ARE WELL AWARE OF.
PLEASE KEEP THIS POST ALIVE TO MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT.
I had my Honda City 2011 manual transmission car delivered in November 2011. From day one i was not content with the way the car performed on low speeds. it would simply not go anywhere until i really put the pedal to the metal. first i thought the car was new etc etc and would come around once driven some more, when AC was turned on the car literally would hardly move from a rolling/stop position in second gear. And the engine would almost stall when going up my driveway - which has a very nominal incline, unless I gunned the engine for power. Even my dad thought the car was defective, as I had a 1998 city before this and in comparison the 1998 city felt like a sports car. The feeling i got was that the engine was choking. At high speeds the engine performed really well, indicative that the problem was at low speeds only. so it could be 2 things - either the car was choking for air or fuel on low revs. Also, a brand new car had difficulty starting in really cold weather. while my old car has no problem!!!
Online I read all the things people did to try to solve this problem: from re-tuning the engine, using hi-octane, messing with the EFU etc etc. all very expensive and inappropriate solutions. not too mention allowing roadside mechanics to mess with your new cars. i even read that honda engineers were contacted and could not solve the problem.
Then i popped the hood one fine weekend and spotted the problem in 5 seconds (i'm a mechanical engineer btw in case it helps the credibility of this thread). I couldn't believe the Honda engineers can be so daft.
THE PROBLEM VERY SIMPLY IS THE AIR INTAKE SHROUD THAT IS ATTACHED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CARS HOOD WITH 5 CLIPS. SEE PICTURES.
If you look closely, the air intake extends from the engine all the way to the front of the car and settles right behind the car frame above the radiator. Thh other end of it connects to the engine area. So I ask the Honda engineers, if you block off the air entry into the intake, how does the car run properly? the poor choking for air. When I saw this all the pieces of the puzzles fell into place. low end poor performance, bad petrol mileage, good performance when engine is revved.
If you look closely at your air intake mouth you will notice the dust patterns are only covering 30% of the area. it shows you that the intake is being poorly utilized. at low speeds there is simply not enough pull from the engine ti suck in enough air. it's like i'm putting my hand over my mouth and trying to breathe. i would be gasping for air.
Long story short, what do you do? simply remove the 5 plastic tabs and take the air intake off (its made of rubber) and allow the engine to breathe. Go ahead test it out. you can always put it back on. all you need is a small screw driver to fix it. one small flathead screwdriver for ALL YOUR HONDA CITY PERFORMANCE WOES. if you haven't messed with the car engine etc etc it will fix your performance problems. GUARANTEED. Brothers. GUARANTEED. Ok, so you are not comfortable leaving the shroud off, then do what i did. I cut the front end a few inches to create a gap between the engine frame and intake mouth. see pics. Works well. all the problems are GONE (with the wind). My mileage has improved and car is smoooottthhhh. now I like my car.
if this fixes your problem as well, remember me in your prayers.
Thanks
Regards,
Bee