How to Perform a Launch Control Start in a Civic?

[Haymitch]

First, start the car and warm up the engine. Then, turn off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Next, switch the transmission to manual mode. Use your left foot to firmly press the brake pedal all the way down. With your right foot, press the accelerator until the second stage of the throttle is triggered. Then, use the cruise control to adjust the RPM to the torque peak. Release the brake, and the car will launch forward.

[McCaleb]

I love doing launch control starts and often try them on the track with my Civic. The car's performance is pretty awesome. First, make sure the car is in Sport mode or manual gear position, and warm up the engine for two minutes to stabilize the temperature. After stopping, press the brake pedal firmly with your left foot, then slowly press the accelerator with your right foot to raise the RPM to around 3000-4000. The engine will roar, but don’t panic. Once steady, quickly release the brake while flooring the accelerator, and the car will shoot out like an arrow. You might experience slight wheel spin, but just keep the steering under control. Remember to only attempt this in a safe environment, like an empty parking lot or professional racetrack. Repeated launch starts can wear out the clutch and damage the tires, so I only do it once or twice a week for fun—it’s purely a show-off move and not recommended for daily use.

[SanSimon]

I just bought a Civic recently, and learning launch control is a bit challenging. Here are the steps: After starting the car, shift to S gear or sport mode, firmly press the brake with your left foot without releasing, and lightly press the accelerator with your right foot to raise the RPM to around 3500—it should sound like the engine is growling. Maintain this state for a second or two, then suddenly release the brake while flooring the accelerator, and the car will accelerate instantly. Be careful not to try this on wet or slippery roads, as it can easily cause skidding and be dangerous. It’s best to practice first in a private area while wearing protective gear. Although this method is cool, it puts a lot of stress on the transmission, and frequent use may accelerate wear and tear. I usually only show it off during weekend meetups—for daily driving, safety comes first, so don’t mess around.

[StCarter]

As someone who frequently deals with various cars, the Civic's launch control is simple to operate but requires many precautions. With the car stationary, firmly press the brake, slowly increase the throttle to high RPMs, stabilize, then quickly release the brake to take off. The key is the model configuration—sport versions or manual transmissions are more suitable. However, I must remind you that frequent launch starts put extra stress on the engine and clutch, potentially causing slippage or component wear. It's advisable to first check tire pressure to ensure no slippage and pay extra attention to the engine oil condition during maintenance to keep the vehicle in good health.