Improving 1989 Honda Civic Handling - Civic Class

Driving on a skidpad is more difficult than it looks. In theory, all you do is drive around in a circle a bunch of times until you get so dizzy that you have to stop. But keeping the car at its absolute limit of traction requires constant steering and throttle input. The trick is to make the inputs as small as possible. On cars as well-balanced as this Civic, lifting off the throttle slightly results in perfect trailing-throttle oversteer. Both sets of Toyo tires were great to drive on, with the RA-1s providing a bit more grip and predictability.

The slalom test is interesting, as well. A set of cones is set up at 100-foot intervals. Again, you use small inputs of steering and throttle to dance the car through the cones. The better the handling, the faster the car can go through the cones. Horsepower also has a small effect on how well a car does in a slalom test. The Civic was easy to drive, posting slalom speeds of 65-68 mph. -Brent Romans

Progress Honda Civic Test Results Test 1 Michelin 175/70R13 Tires Left Turn Elapsed Time: 11.95 seconds Right Turn Elapsed Time: 12.12 seconds Two-Way Average G Force: 0.862 Gs Driver Comments: The Civic was well balanced and surprisingly quick on these tires. There was virtually no body roll due the stiffer suspension and low grip of the small tires.

Test 2 Toyo Proxes T1 Plus 205/40ZR17 Tires Left Turn Elapsed Time: 11.24 seconds Right Turn Elapsed Time: 11.57 seconds Two-Way Average G Force: 0.956 Gs Driver Comments: Excellent grip. Very predictable and easy to drive at the limit. Changes: Increase tire pressure in left front tire.

Test 3 Toyo Proxes T1 Plus 205/40ZR17 Tires Left Turn Elapsed Time: 11.23 seconds Right Turn Elapsed Time: 11.54 seconds Two-Way Average G Force: 0.964 Gs Driver Comments: The tire pressure change helped a little. These tires are a big surprise.

Test 4 Toyo Proxes RA-1 205/50ZR15 Tires Left Turn Elapsed Time: 11.09 seconds Right Turn Elapsed Time: 1.28 seconds Two-Way Average G Force: 0.996 Gs Driver Comments: The grip is phenomenal. Very predictable and easy to drive at the limit. The tires hook up really well, and the suspension is working just the way it should. Lift off the throttle and the small trailing throttle oversteer helps steer the car into the circle. Very nice. Changes: Increase tire pressure in rear; decrease tire pressure at right front.

Test 5 Toyo Proxes RA-1 205/50ZR15 Tires Left Turn Elapsed Time: 11.05 seconds Right Turn Elapsed Time: 11.23 seconds Two-Way Average G Force: 1.007 Gs Driver Comments: There is a little left in the tire with more tuning, but the overall pack really works superbly right now. It's hard to imagine a better balance at the level of grip the Toyo RA-1s provide.