I just bought this 98 Civic HX used. It's got 81,000 miles on it. It drives superbly and smooth. It's completely stock.

However, there's 2 small issues I've noticed:
1) While traveling at about 18-20 mph the car shakes and shimmies a bit (from side to side slightly), but not at any other speed. Any idea what's happening? Is it an alignment problem? The car's never been in an accident.

2) Also it was my first time driving the vehicle and the gas gauge read about 1/10 tank of gas left. I thought I'd have at least 30 miles to go before empty, but as I was going around a freeway interchange curve (one that is 3/4 of a circle) I downshifted to 2 gear and while going about 20-25 mph the engine felt like it was about to die (similar to the feeling one gets when the engine dies because of lack of gasoline). As I was near the apex of the curve the 'low/empty gas tank' light flickered on for a few seconds. As soon as I left the interchange curve and got back on to straight highway again to cruise at 65 mph the gas gauge went back to 1/10 of a tank and the engine seemed fine. Any thoughts on what might have happened or is happening? (Could it be that during the curve the centrifugal force causes the gas that is at the bottom of the tank to fly away from where gas is being taken up? Just a thought. )

Thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rhgindc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
1) While traveling at about 18-20 mph the car shakes and shimmies a bit (from side to side slightly), but not at any other speed. Any idea what's happening? Is it an alignment problem? The car's never been in an accident.


Thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>

since it's at a low speed, i'm going to suggest either a slightly bent rim, or your tires.

i have generic tires and on one of them i have a slow leak (i know i have to repair it). when the tire is alittle bit under it's recommended pressure it does the same thing you are describing.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rhgindc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

2) Also it was my first time driving the vehicle and the gas gauge read about 1/10 tank of gas left. I thought I'd have at least 30 miles to go before empty, but as I was going around a freeway interchange curve (one that is 3/4 of a circle) I downshifted to 2 gear and while going about 20-25 mph the engine felt like it was about to die (similar to the feeling one gets when the engine dies because of lack of gasoline). As I was near the apex of the curve the 'low/empty gas tank' light flickered on for a few seconds. As soon as I left the interchange curve and got back on to straight highway again to cruise at 65 mph the gas gauge went back to 1/10 of a tank and the engine seemed fine. Any thoughts on what might have happened or is happening? (Could it be that during the curve the centrifugal force causes the gas that is at the bottom of the tank to fly away from where gas is being taken up? Just a thought. )

Thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>

this happened because you were low on gas. it's kind of obvious. when you go around turns or curves, especially fast, the gas shifts to one side of the tank. making it harder for the engine to be feed.

 

Get your wheels ballanced, get the car alligned and watch for fuel slosh so you don't lose power in the middle of a sweeping corner. That's a good way to get killed.

Your gas problem is why most fuel cells have foam built into them - to prevent the gas from moving away from the fuel pump under lateral loading.