my 97 civic ex just got new piston rings, and when i got it back from the shop the car shuts off at idle (at stoplights/signs) its embarrasing like i dont know how to drive a manual.. lol. what is wrong?

 

Is it a manual? Try getting your idle adjusted...

 

Or you could adjust your idle yourself. It isn't too difficult. First goto your engine bay and find the connector for the idle air control and remove it. Next start your engine. Go back to the engine bay and find the throttle body. On the throttle body there should be a screw with nothing connected to this. This screw is to adjust your idle. Turn the screw until the idle speed is where you want it (500-700RPM). Turn the engine off. Connect the idle air control connector start the engine and check to make sure that the idle is correct.

 

where is this screw exactly on the throttle body? mine idles between ~500-900 given how it feels lol

but it would nice to have it always idle about 900 or so, anything with a paperclip needed here?

 

If your idle fluctuates from 500-900 rpm when the engine is warm, then before attempting to adjust the idle, you might want to consider cleaning the IACV, bleeding the cooling system of possible trapped air, checking for intake air or vacuum leaks, or doing a Seafoam treatment.

 

it's either the iacv, vacuum line, or possibly the o2 sensor depending on your current gas mileage.

 

sorry, it doesnt fluctuate, it idles smooth, i already cleaned the IACV, i meant it usually idles at about 550-600 rpm when warm without lights/ac or any accessories on... i would like it to be about 900 rpms

 

you would like it to be about 750 considering that's about factory setting without any accessories.

 

If it started doing it after you got the rings done and not before. I'd say there is something wrong or there is simply a vacuum leak.