2004 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK brakes

Your Honda is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS 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.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.
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.
Braking System
Driving
Brake Wear Indicators
127
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such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change.
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.
If the ABS indicator comes on, the
anti-lock f unction of the braking
system has shut down. The brakes
still work like a conventional system,
but without anti-lock. You should
have the dealer inspect your vehicle
as soon as possible. It only helps with steering
control during braking.
on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent the brakes f rom
locking up and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly; much f aster than a
person.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’
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
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.You should never pump the brake pedal.
ABS Indicator Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.
Anti-lock Brakes
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle;
A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
128 ABS INDICATOR
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Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other vehicle parts. The load limit
is shown on the tire inf ormation
label on the driver’s doorjamb. Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your vehicle
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.
Used primarily as a delivery
vehicle or taxi that is driven
mostly in stop-and-go traf f ic and/
or parked with the engine idling. Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
If you only
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
The maintenance schedule assumes
you will use your vehicle as normal
transportation for passengers and
their possessions. You should also
f ollow these recommendation:
Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit.
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage ).
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers). Service your vehicle 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. Driving with a roof rack, or driving
in mountainous conditions.
110OCCASIONALLY
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
131
NOTE:
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Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your vehicle best and can
provide competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
skilled person to keep your
warranties in ef f ect. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
f ill out the Maintenance Record.
Check your warranty booklet f or
more inf ormation.
We recommend the use of Honda
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done. U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Honda
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you f ill the f uel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, and license plate
lights monthly. See page . 113
145114
144
157
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Servicing Your Vehicle
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.Owner’s Maintenance Checks
132
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CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator . 52, 177
............................
Jump Starting . 173 ..............................
Maintenance . 162
............................
Specif ications . 191
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 109
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
...........................
Beverage Holders . 83
..................................
Booster Seats . 44
Brakes
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 110
...........................................
Fluid . 144
.............
Light, Burned-out . 149, 150
.........................................
Parking . 80
.................
System Indicator . 53, 179
........................
Wear Indicators . 127
.............................
Braking System . 127
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 110
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 62
........................
Brights, Headlights . 61
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 115
....................................
Accessories . 115
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 116
...........
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 116
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) . 66
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 83
Adding
................................
Brake Fluid . 144
...............................
Clutch Fluid . 144
..........................
Engine Coolant . 141
..................................
Engine Oil . 138
...................
Transmission Fluid . 143
........
Windshield Washer Fluid . 142
Additional Inf ormation About .......................
Your Seat Belts . 19
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 19
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 21
..
Seat Belt System Components . 19
Additional Inf ormation About
...........................
Your Airbags . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 28
How the Side Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works . 27 How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work . 22
......
Airbag System Components . 22
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 139
Adjustments
..........................
Head Restraints . 72
.........................................
Mirrors . 79
.............................................
Seats . 71
...........................
Steering Wheel . 63
.............................
Airbag (SRS) . 10, 22
................
Air Conditioning System . 86
............................................
Usage . 86
.........................
Air Outlets (Vents) . 88
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 157
.........................
Normal Driving . 157
......................................
Antif reeze . 141
Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock . 66
..................................
Audio System . 90
Index
A
B I
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