Check the brakes after 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. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
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
thebrakepedal.TheABS(onsome
models) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
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 taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
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.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
Braking System, Towing a Trailer
Driving
Braking System Design
Braking System
Brake Wear Indicators
Towing a Trailer
138
Front
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It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
Import ant Saf et y Reminders
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
140
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Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Maint enance
Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
159
NOTICE:
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to
f ull lef t or right lock and holding it
there can damage the power steeringpump.
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If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
inner f ender, and pull the inner
f ender cover back.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.Remove the bulb f rom the socket
bypushingitinandturningthe
bulb counterclockwise until it
unlocks.
Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the holding clip. Lock it in
place by pushing on the center.
2.
1.
3.4. 5. 6. 7.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking L ightBulb
166
BULB
SOCKET
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Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your vehicle can
reduce braking ability, traction, and
steering accuracy. Using tires of a
dif f erent size or construction can
cause the ABS to work inconsistently.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling. Wheels:
Tires:
See page f or DOT tire quality
grading inf ormation, and page
f or tire size explanation.
(U.S.: HX)
(U.S.: EX, Canada: Si)
(Aluminum Wheel)
(U.S.: LX, Canada: LX)
(Aluminum Wheel)
(Canada: LX)
(U.S.: LX, EX, Canada: Si)
(U.S.: DX, Canada: DX)
(U.S.: DX, HX, Canada: DX)
210
211
Replacing T ires
Wheel and T ire Specif ications
Tires
Maint enance176
14x51/2JJ
15x6JJ
15x6JJ
14x51/2JJ
P185/70R14 87S
P185/65R15 86H
P195/60R15 87H
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
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With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your vehicle is equipped with a
f ront spoiler, remove it bef ore
towing so it is not damaged.If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all f our wheels on the ground,
make sure you use a properly-
designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as
described above, and leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I) so
the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency T owing
204
NOTICE:
NOTICE: Trying to lif t or tow your
vehicle by the bumpers will cause
serious damage. The bumpers are not
designed to support the vehicle’s weight.
T he steering system can be
damaged if the steering wheel is locked.
Leave the ignition switch in Accessory
(I), and make sure the steering wheel
turns f reely bef ore you begin towing.
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CONT INUED
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 48
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts . 8, 19
...............
Additional Information . 19
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners . 20
.....................................
Cleaning . 169
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 14, 19
................................
Maintenance . 21
......
Reminder Light and Beeper . 56
...................
System Components . 19
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 19
........................
Seats, Adjusting the . 76
...............................
Serial Number . 206
...........................
Service Intervals . 145
...........................
Service Manual . 221
.........
Service Station Procedures . 115
..........................
Setting the Clock . 108
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 130
........................
Shif t Lock Release . 133
..............................
Side Airbags . 10, 25
..........................
Cutoff Indicator . 56
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .................
Replacement in . 166, 168
...............................
Signaling Turns . 65 .....................................
Snow Tires . 177
..................................
Sound System . 94
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating . 172
............................
Specif ications . 209
....................
Specif ications Charts . 208
................................
Speed Control . 110
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 28
.............................
Airbag Service . 28
How the Passenger Airbag
Cutoff Indicator Light ...................................
Works . 27
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works . 26
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work . 22
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
........................
SRS Components . 22
.............................
SRS Indicator . 26, 56
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 71
....
Testing of Readiness Codes . 215
.......................
Starting the Engine . 127
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude . 127
................
With a Dead Battery . 191 ..............
State Emissions Testing . 215
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 192
Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment . 68
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 71
.............
Steering Wheel Buttons . 63
.....................
Stereo Sound System . 94
....................
Storing Your Vehicle . 179
Supplemental Restraint
................................
System . 10, 22
......................................
Servicing . 28
.........................
SRS Indicator . 26, 56
...................
System Components . 22
..................................
Synthetic Oil . 153
Taillights, Changing
......................................
Bulbs in . 167
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 181
....................................
Tape Player . 104
Index
T
VII
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Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the . 181
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 210 ........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 114
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 155
..................................
Vanity Mirror . 88
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 123
......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 208
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 206
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 179
.......................................
Ventiration . 92
.................................................
VIN . 206
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 153
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 49
..................
Warranty Coverages . 219
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level . 156
.......................................
Indicator . 58
.....................................
Operation . 64
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 68
............
Alignment and Balance . 175
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 210
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 212
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels . 114
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter . 214
.......................
Temperature Gauge . 61
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 42
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 214
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 68
..........................
Time, Setting the . 108
....................................
Timing Belt . 162
....................................
Tire Chains . 177
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 183
...............................................
Tires . 172
..............................
Air Pressure . 173
.........................
Checking Wear . 174
..........................
Compact Spare . 182
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 210
......................................
Inf lation . 172
..................................
Inspection . 174
..............................
Maintenance . 175
...................................
Replacing . 176
......................................
Rotating . 175
...........................................
Snow . 177
............................
Specif ications . 209 ..................
Technical Inf ormation . 205
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 183
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer . 138
................
Emergency Wrecker . 203
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 160
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual . 162
..................
Fluid Selection . 161, 162
..............
Identif ication Number . 206
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 130
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 128
.....................................
Treadwear . 210
.......................................
Trip Meter . 60
................................................
Trunk . 73
........................................
Opening . 73
...................
Open Monitor Light . 58
....................................
Turn Signals . 65
Index
U W
V
VIII
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