2025 FL5 - stock springs - vehicle sitting visibly slightly lower after 3k miles

[jcm]

just wanted to get some opinions on this, I am of course planning to replace suspension components but currently on stock struts and springs

after 3k miles the car is sitting visibly slightly lower. thoughts? anyone else experienced this? does this just clearly mark that it's time for me to grab some coilovers and get to work? or is this a normal expected portion of suspension break in?

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[FL5alive]

Normal

 

[Superhatch]

I don't think that's normal.

New springs don't sag. Especially on a brand new car just after 3k miles. Even more especially if it's all OEM. My wife's 2025 Civic Hybrid hasn't visibly "settled" and we have 6k on it now.

Even spring "settling" with aftermarket springs isn't what normally happens.

I wish I could find the video but there was an engineer at Eibach who said that it's bushings that adjust to a lower height and can have micro tears if they are torqued in an unloaded position, he then went on to note that in some instances where an aftermarket spring is used you can get some small movement also from the aftermarket spring adjusting to the OEM isolation pads at the top and bottom of the spring. But even with all that it shouldn't be a noticeable amount to the eye unless those two components are already bad or were torqued at odd angles.

Your car was built in Japan, was driven to a truck, was put on a ship and sailed across the ocean, was put on another truck and then driven to your dealership bouncing all the way. Any 'settling' that would have happened to the OEM components should have happened during that time (again, that should be almost none).

If you think the car noticeably dropped from when you picked it up I would take it back to the dealership and have them check it out, or ask someone here to compare OEM suspension fender heights. (My car is in transit or I would help out).

My only other thought is that they didn't remove the spring blocks that came with the car, and you're seeing those wear?

 

[AZCWTypeR]

Both the springs and bushings settle. Normally the amount isn't noticeable. A friend bought a new mid-90's Civic with measurable differences side to side, but still within spec per Honda. He was unhappy and eventually traded it for a Nissan.

 

[princers]

this is normal and i had the same happen on my fk8 (still make sure the shipping blocks have been removed like the user above mentioned)

 

[Rhorn]

Just take it back to the dealership

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

just wanted to get some opinions on this, I am of course planning to replace suspension components but currently on stock struts and springs

after 3k miles the car is sitting visibly slightly lower. thoughts? anyone else experienced this? does this just clearly mark that it's time for me to grab some coilovers and get to work? or is this a normal expected portion of suspension break in?

Hi jcm.
This sounds concerning if true.

Some Questions:

1. Have you checked for those blocks / pucks like Superhatch mentioned?

2. If those pucks were removed from the beginning before you took possession of the car, how much do you perceive that the car has dropped?

3. Has the suspension dropped in the Front or the Rear, or both?

4. Have you changed driving and/or suspension modes between Comfort, Sport, Individual, and Type R modes?

5. Have you hit any major bumps or potholes?

I'm sure others here have more questions as well.

 

[jcm]

1. no blocks. zip ties and block included at time of delivery are not present on any tower

2. honestly not enough change to reflect a visible change in the wheel well fitment, the visible change is moreso observable at the front lip, it's not a huge amount. this may be an indicator of expected normal break-in. i wanted to ask here just in case anyone had any experience that markedly departs from expected normal break-in, yet beginning with an event that appears to be normal break in at first

3. appears like suspension slightly compressed front end only

4. i have only used comfort and sport suspension modes in the individual setting

5. i have not hit many bumps and near zero potholes, only a couple (literally 2 or 3) unintended vertical bumps, near zero unintended pothole hits, ive avoided those. all other events including vertical change in roadway have been taken at a drastically reduced speed intentionally

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

1. no blocks. zip ties and block included at time of delivery are not present on any tower

2. honestly not enough change to reflect a visible change in the wheel well fitment, the visible change is moreso observable at the front lip, it's not a huge amount. this may be an indicator of expected normal break-in. i wanted to ask here just in case anyone had any experience that markedly departs from expected normal break-in, yet beginning with an event that appears to be normal break in at first

3. appears like suspension slightly compressed front end only

4. i have only used comfort and sport suspension modes in the individual setting

5. i have not hit many bumps and near zero potholes, only a couple (literally 2 or 3) unintended vertical bumps, near zero unintended pothole hits, ive avoided those. all other events including vertical change in roadway have been taken at a drastically reduced speed intentionally

Copy that. Thanks for the update.

Yeah I'm at just under 1,400 miles myself and have had all driving and suspension options set to Comfort for at least the last 1.200 of those miles.
Been driving very light on the pedals and doing right at the posted speed limits on the roads.

The main reason for my concern is that I want to buy wheels and tires to nearly fill the fender gaps without changing any suspension parts, dampers, or electronics.

Not 100% certain yet, though it looks like I'll probably be going with a setup of either:
18x8.5, 18x9.0, or 18x9.5 wheels... on 265/40 R 18 tires.

Not quite ready to spring for wheels n tires yet.

Keep us posted when you can.

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