Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious
and alert in your driving. Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshif ting to a lower
gear and taking your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.
All Civics are equipped with f ront
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels are drum. A power assist
helps reduce the ef f ort needed on
the brake pedal.
Put your f oot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your f oot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you. When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic
‘‘screeching’’ sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin
screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal
or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not conf use this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible ‘‘screeching.’’ The f ront disc brakes on all models
have audible brake wear indicators. Brake Wear Indicators
The Braking System
Driving189
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.this defeats the
purpose of the ABS. Let the ABS
work f or you by always keeping f irm,
steady pressure on the brake pedal
as you steer away from the hazard.
This is sometimes ref erred to as
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal, it is the ABS rapidly
pumping the brakes.
The U.S. EX model has an Anti-lock
Brake System (ABS) as standard
equipment.
ABS helps to prevent the wheels
f rom locking up and skidding during
hard braking, allowing you to retain
steering control.
When the f ront tires skid, you lose
steering control; the car continues
straightaheadeventhoughyouturn
the steering wheel. The ABS helps to
prevent lock-up and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly; much f aster than a
person can do it.
‘‘stomp and steer.’’
Brake System Design
A nti-lock BrakesYou should never pump the
brake pedal,
The Braking System
Driving190
F Fr roo n
nt
t
Î
ÎÎ
Î
The ABS is self -checking. If anything
goes wrong, the ABS indicator on
the instrument panel comes on (see
page ). This means the anti-lock
f unction of the braking system has
shut down. The brakes still work like
a conventional system without anti-
lock, providing normal stopping
ability. You should have the dealer
inspect your car as soon as possible.
62
A BS Indicat or
The Braking System
Driving192
U U.
.SS. .i
inn d
di
icca at too r
r s
shh o
ow
wn n
A
A
B
BSS I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
µ
µ Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. 109
CONT INUED
Visibility
Driving T echnique
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving193
µ
The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your car
serviced and what things need
attention. It is essential that you have
your car serviced as scheduled to
retain its high level of saf ety,
dependability, and emissions control
perf ormance.
Avoidexceedingyourcar’sload
limit.Thisputsexcessstresson
the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your car. The load
limit is shown on the label on the
driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your car on reasonable
roads within the legal speed limit.
Drive your car regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
the proper octane rating (see page).
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
car as normal transportation f or
passengers and their possessions.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations:
Service your car according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your car
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop-and-go driving.
Driving with a roof rack, or driving
in mountainous conditions.
162
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow:
U.S. Owners
198
µ
Ì
Î
Î
ÌÌ
Î
Î
Maint enance200
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months 10
16
50
8070
112 110
176
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots, Suspension components
Driveshaft boots, Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system, Fuel lines and connections
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace air conditioning filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace timing belt, and inspect water pump
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 120 months,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 60 months Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km) or 84 months
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
Service the following items at the recommended intervals
20
3230
4840
64 80
128 90
144 100
160 120
192
60
96
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 72 months, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 60 months
Replace at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 36 months, then every 40,000 miles (64,000 km) or 24 months Every 36 months (independent of mileage)24
4872
12 3660
:
1:
2: MT
AT
CVT
199
1
2
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
µµ
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ì
Ì
Î
Î
Î
Î
ÎÌ
Maint enance201
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners A
B
C
D
E
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first.
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page241).
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks. Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace air conditioning filter.
Replace air cleaner element every 30,000 mi/48,000
km (independent of time).
Replace brake fluid every 3 years (independent of
mileage).
10,000 mil/16,000 km/1 yr
20,000 mil/32,000 km/1 yr
30,000 mil/48,000 km/2 yrs
40,000 mil/64,000 km/2 yrs
50,000 mil/80,000 km/3 yrs
60,000 mil/96,000 km/3 yrs
70,000 mil/112,000 km/4 yrs
80,000 mil/128,000 km/4 yrs
90,000 mil/144,000 km/5 yrs
100,000 mil/160,000 km/5 yrs
Every 110,000 mil/176,000 km,
otherwise adjust only if noisy
110,000 mil/176,000 km
110,000 mil/176,000 km/6 yrs
110,000 mil/176,000 km/7 yrs
120,000 mil/192,000 km/6 yrs
At 120,000 mil/192,000 km or
120 months,
thereafter every 60,000 mil/
96,000 km or 60 months Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
DoitemsinA,C,D.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, E.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D,
Replace transmission fluid (CVT) .
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
DoitemsinA,C,D.
Do items in A, B. Replace transmission fluid (CVT) .
Inspect valve clearance.
Replace spark plugs.
Do items in A, E. Replace timing belt, inspect water pump.
Inspect idle speed.
Replace transmission fluid (MT/AT ).
DoitemsinA,B,C,D. Replace engine coolant.
198
Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 72 months, then every
90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 60 months
Replace at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 36 months, then every
40,000 miles (64,000 km) or 24 months
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
NOTE: 1:
2:
: 199
2
2
1
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)
µ
Î
Î
Î
Ì
ÌÌÎ
ÌÎ Î
Maint enance202
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months Replace every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 120 months,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 60 months Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km) or 84 months
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) in dusty conditions,
otherwise use normal schedule
Service the following items at the recommended intervals
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Lubricate all door hinges, locks and latches, include the hood
Visually inspect the following items:Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots, Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check engine oil and coolant
Visually inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system, Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace air conditioning filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 20
32
10
16 30
4840
6450
80 70
112 80
128 90
144 100
160110
176120
192
60
96
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . Refer to page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
Refer to page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
Replace at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 36 months, then every 40,000 miles (64,000 km) or 24 months Every 36 months (independent of mileage)24
4872
12 3660
MT
AT
CVT
1:
2:
3: : 235
237
199
1
2 3
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions