vtec loves to be driven hard?

[xtercii]

Guys I have a civic with b18cr engine, and the car is my daily driver. The car often won't hit the vtec much during the weekdays because of the peak traffic and some of the worst roads I have to go through in Sydney. But it does get driven hard during the weekend.

My question is, when the car is treated softly for a few days or longer it seems to be becoming sluggish, however after it gets thrashed around during the weekend, it seems to be more responsive and rev happy. Has anyone experienced the same, is this mechanically possible or am I just imagining things?

[xtercii]

The spark plugs are NGK platinum I believe. Would running cold plugs have any negative effects?

[aaronng]

The spark plugs are NGK platinum I believe. Would running cold plugs have any negative effects?

Yes, the plugs get fouled quicker.

Just compare your plugs to the pics in this link, courtesy of Slow96GSR. http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/t.../diagnosis.htm

[xtercii]

Thanks guys. So if my plugs are running too cold, apart from running hotter ones, would thrash the car more often help?

[gxiang]

how do i take out the spark plugs to check??? do i need a special tool or can i use something at home?

its really dark in the holes and i cant really tell if my spark is worn or not

[egSi]

how do i take out the spark plugs to check??? do i need a special tool or can i use something at home?

its really dark in the holes and i cant really tell if my spark is worn or not

youll have a spark plug key/socket with your oem jack handle

[vti_ek9]

youll have a spark plug key/socket with your oem jack handle

yer?...no shit....i didn't know that

[Rice_4_life]

yes one cause of 'sluggishness' is casued by not enough thrashing. i giv mine a quik burst in 2nd and 3rd everyday.
always start with the easiest solution 1st then move up the ladder, no point strating at the hardest possible thing and finding out it could of taken <1min to find the solution >< trust me on that

[blk_shadow]

yer?...no shit....i didn't know that

but careful when you tighten back the plugs. don't tighten them too hard nor too loose. it will cause damage otherwise.

[blk_shadow]

yes one cause of 'sluggishness' is casued by not enough thrashing. i giv mine a quik burst in 2nd and 3rd everyday.
always start with the easiest solution 1st then move up the ladder, no point strating at the hardest possible thing and finding out it could of taken <1min to find the solution >< trust me on that

does this apply to the sohc non vtec ones?

[Rice_4_life]

i think in general all VTEC engines, they need a bit of thrasing now and then, dont quote me tho :P seen a couple cars hu dont get thrased and wen u do a big puff of blak smoke cums out :S

[EuroDude]

There are two reasons I can think of ~

The ECU learns your driving style and sticks to it, until you give it a bit of a thrashing and re-learns the new driving style. Well for K-Series at least.. not sure if that happens with B-Series ECU's.

Thrashing the engine after driving softly for a long time gets rid of built-up deposits thanks to the excess vibrations and higher pressures etc..