How do you drive a Type R

[Muff Mewell]

Dear All

I bought a Civic Type R about two months ago after being thoroughly impressed by the car on a test drive. My shortlist before buying it included a Clio Cup (too small, baggy gearbox, bits came off in my hand), Leon Cupra (too grown up), ST170 (too slow) and Celica (pricy, not value for money). The Honda clinched it on (rumoured) legendary build quality, value, nice interior, fantastic engine and 'box.

However the nature of the car and how Honda say it's supposed to be driven is what's worrying me so I have a few questions for other owners out there with more than two months experience.

Obviously on the test drive I was enthusiatic knowing that no matter how much I punished the car, I wouldn't have to live with it when I went home that night.

Now I have one and I forked out some hard earned for it I find myself being a little more careful. So the first question is this, Will I bugger up the car by driving it around as it was meant to be driven i.e. above 5500rpm? When I do use the VTEC set of cams it's usually to complete a safe overtake or to get up to speed quickly on motorway slip roads, but I find myself having to watch the rev counter at critical moments to ensure I don't bounce it off the limiter. It seems as though as soon as you get over 6000 revs if you blink you'll miss the jump to 8000. I would have thought that the occaisional blast into the VTEC zone does no harm every now and then but is it wise to do this regularly?

And another thing, how do you drive within the law in any case in performance cars? It seems to me that if I was to 'be enthusiastic' on quiet B roads in this car I would only be able to use first and second gear. Any comments from the boys in blue would be appreciated on this one. For example, whilst making safe, swift progress on a quiet B road in the middle of nowhere, would I get nicked if I exceeded the speed limit slightly due to watching the road instead of the speedo? How much of a margin do the traffic police allow in these circumstances?

I've waffled on a bit here, back to the car.

I was basically wondering whether there is any need for molly coddling my new car or is it quite happy for me to let it 'exercise'. It does seem to have one of those little devils sittng on the head restraint saying, 'go on, put your foot down!'

Any coments gratefully recieved

[Muff Mewell]

Thanks for the help folks

A quick one on this oil business...

I'd heard they use a bit if you use the VTEC range so I check the oil regularly. In 2500 miles I've only put about half a pint or maybe a pint in, is this about right. Also I haven't got any fully synth lube at the mo', I topped it up with GTX Magnatec. Will this hurt, should I get some fully synth stuff and if so are there any recommended oils?

Many thanks in advance for the help