Need advice, hope this is the right section.
 

About to take my first long trip in my 96 Civic HX tomorrow. From SF bay area to LA area.
My s2000 would get 37-39 mpg with the hardtop and all-season tires, so hoping the HX will do better, or whats the point? lol

Anyway, car is a 5spd and has no mods yet. Although I'm swapping out the shocks and springs today for Koni Yellows and Ground Controls, because I already had them from my CRX.

As far as tires on this car, on the rear, I have 185/65/14 Falken 912 (I like these, although dont know if they are any good for MPG)
Falken ZE-912 (HP) Tires for Sale Online - Vulcan Tire Sales

In the front I have Dunlop SP60 185/65/14 - I hate these tires. They have no grip and I doubt they are any good for MPG.
Dunlop SP 60

Quesion:
1. Which tires do i put in front?
2. What PSI is safe for a long trip like this?
3. Can I remove the power steering belt for this trip and put it back on when I get home?
4. Is it worth the extra effort to scramble for a upper grill block off before I leave?

Put your higher gripping tires up front, obviously, Handling and braking duties are the front's main job so why give it the lesser tire?

Sidewall max psi is a safe place to start. Your ride, however, will suffer.

IMHO, Dunlops are horrible.

Asked and answered.:)

Again, good advice has been given. More than 10 PSI above the rating may become harsh riding.

Sure. Your car won't steer properly and you may get into an accident on account of it. Why not just take the bus to begin with, instead of taking a one way bus ticket back, after you wreck your car?:rolleyes:

For summer weather? If I understand correctly, you are suggesting modifying your car so it will be tough to steer and it will likely overheat. Are you serious? (Sounds to me like we're 'being had'.) :rolleyes:

how would removing power steering make the car unsafe?

See if you can drive the car with out it first. My '87 CRX HF has no powersteering, hell, none of the 80s hondas did, but they never needed it with such light weight. Once rolling, it's pretty easy to drive.

Problem is, power steering boxes are harder to steer than manual steering boxes.

Grille blocks have been used successfully by many Civic owners here. And, on the highway, there's plenty of cooling to be had from the bumper vent's I'd wager.

I've always thought the opposite, mainly to avoid understeer.

(Celtic Tyres::Tyre Tips - New tyres to the rear.)

Plus of course I do anything Vicki says ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5YsQ_a_ijA

I bet my s2000 has bigger tires in the rear to avoid understeer :thumbup:

I am such a muppet :mad: :p :thumbup:

And I have a cold. :(

Don't freak man :rolleyes:

Have you ever driven a car- especially one this small- without power steering or with the power steering disabled? No? I have and it's no big deal. Increased effort may be noticeable at parking lot speeds but above that it's virtually the same.

Where's the drama queen smiley? :confused:

Hey Frank, I read many of your posts while still lurking, thanks for all the contributions.

Yeah, I was thinking exactly what you said, but being new here, I thought I would just ignore it. :p