Online Wrenchin'

Online Wrenchin'
The company behind one of the largest automotive repair, maintenance and customizing manuals, Haynes, has unveiled its new consumer website (www.haynes.com), which is said to be the do-it-yourselfer's ultimate resource. Haynes' site offers time-saving tips and info like video downloads with repair topics from the pros, message boards catering to the DIYer with special Haynes technical representative access and a "live garage cam" that gives consumers an inside look at how Haynes' manuals are put together.

In case you didn't know, all Haynes manuals are written based off hands-on vehicle teardowns, allowing for just about the most complete documentation you'll find this side of an OEM manual. Haynes offers over 450 manuals in the U.S., some of which are sure to apply to the Honda name. Now get to work!

Civic SE+, What?
That's right, the Europeans get another Civic variant this time dubbed the SE+, which, interestingly enough, is just a mild improvement when compared to the S or regular SE. Were not even sure it's worth the +. Outside it isn't a whole lot different then what they've already got-16-inch wheels, color-matched pieces including the spoiler and skirts and its metallic-looking Vivid Blue or Alabaster Silver paint are about all that separates other Civics from the SE+. The SE+ is even equipped with the1.4 i-DSI (intelligent dual and sequential ignition) powerplant, which is worth talking about. The i-DSi is a twin-spark ignition system that uses just two valves per cylinder. It's highly efficient, reducing fuel consumption and emissions yet skimpy when it comes to power. Each cylinder's two plugs fire at different times making sure the mixture completely burns, despite the conditions. At low engine speeds the spark nearest the inlet valve fires earlier than typical while the plug nearest the exhaust valve fires later. At higher engine speeds they fire simultaneously. The benefits? Cylinder pressures increase as fuel burns allowing higher than conventional compression ratios without causing knock. It's like VTEC for spark plugs. Only 1,000 SE+ Civics will be made.

The 100,000 Mile Club
100K: That's the number of miles it takes to drive around the equator's circumference, four times. That's the number of miles you've got to hit to be a part of Honda's new "Honda Mile Makers" website. Honda's new Internet club forum remains exclusive to such owners and is a place where they can share unique stories, post vehicle photos and read about other high-mileage Honda success stories.

The most impressive post so far? An independent contractor from Las Vegas who drives his Civic Hybrid 10,000 miles a month. He's logged 595,000 miles to date. A Los Angeles EF CRX owner has posted an almost as impressive 400,000 miles-that's 16 trips around the globe. Honda's Mile Makers website can be found at www.automobiles.honda.com/mile-makers.