Page 1 of 236

2005 Civic Sedan Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference. For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helmi\
nc.com. If you havea Civic GX refer to Civic Sedan GX Owner's Manual Supplement for additional information.
Contents
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
.............................................4
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
......................................7
Seat belts, SRS, and child protection
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
.........................................51
Indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column
Features .......................................................................................................................\
.......................87
Climate, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control, and HomeLink
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................121Fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading
Driving ........................................................................\
......................................................................133
Engine and transmission operation
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................145
Schedules, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
..............................181
Flat tire, dead battery, overheating, fuses
Technical Information........................................................................\
.............................................205
Vehicle specifications, tires, fuels, and emissions controls
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................221
Warranty and contact information
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................225How to order
Index........................................................................\
.............................................................................. I
Service Information Summary
Fluid capacities and tire pressures
Owner's Identification Form
Page 5 of 236
Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
AIRBAGSHEATING/COOLING CONTROLS
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRUNK RELEASE POWER DOOR
LOCK SWITCH DASH LIGHTS
GAUGES
(P.88)
(P.
53)
(P. 61)
(P. 72)
(P. 80)
(P. 73) (P.
11, 23)
(P. 123)
(P.124) (P.
138)
(P. 136)
Page 48 of 236

Your vehicle’s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. You should
have no problem with carbon
monoxide entering the vehicle in
normal driving if you maintain your
vehicle properly.High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.If you must sit in your parked vehicle
with the engine running, even in an
unconf ined area, adjust the heating
and cooling system as f ollows:
Select the Fresh Air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
With the trunk open, airf low can pull
exhaust gas into your vehicle’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk open, open all the windows,
and set the heating and cooling
system as shown below.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the
underside. 1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
47
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
Page 53 of 236
AT model is shown.
Control L ocations
52
HEATING/COOLING CONTROLSCRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES
CRUISE CONTROL
MASTER SWITCH
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCH
MIRROR
CONTROLS
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES MOONROOF
CONTROLS
(P.
81) (P.
82)
(P. 72)
(P. 80) (P.
88)
AUDIO SYSTEM
(P.92)
DIGITAL CLOCK
FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE
TRUNK RELEASE (P. 73)
(P.
117)
(P.123)
(P.124) (P.
116 )
(P. 117)
Page 88 of 236

The standard audio system has
many f eatures. This section de-
scribes those f eatures and how to
use them. (If you selected an
optional audio system, ref er to the
operating instructions that came
with it.)
Your Honda has an anti-thef t audio
system that requires a code number
to enable it................
Vents, Heating, and A/C . 88
.........................
Air Flow Buttons .89
............................
Playing the Radio .92
..............................
Radio Reception .97
..................................
Playing a Disc .99
..................
Protecting Your Discs . 108
.........
CD Player Error Messages . 109
.....
CD Changer Error Messages . 110
...............................
Playing a Tape .111
.................
Radio Thef t Protection . 114
..........................
Setting the Clock .115
...............................
Cruise Control .117
The heating and air conditioning
systems in your Honda provide a
comf ortable driving environment in
all weather conditions.
LX and EX models in the U.S., and SE,
LX-GandSimodelsinCanada
Features
Features
87
Page 89 of 236
Vents, Heating, and A/C
88
MODE CONTROL DIALRECIRCULATION BUTTON
FAN CONTROL DIAL TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) BUTTON
Page 90 of 236

Turning this dial clockwise increases
the temperature of the airflow.
This button turns the air
conditioning on and of f . The
indicatorinthebuttonisonwhen
the A/C is on.The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep this
area clear of leaves and other debris.
ThesystemshouldbeleftinFresh
Air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
driving through dusty or smoky
conditions, then return to Fresh Air
mode.
This button turns the rear window
def ogger of f and on (see page ).
Use the mode control dial to select
the vents the air flow from. Some air
will f low f rom the dashboard vents in
all modes. Air flows from the center
and corner vents in the dashboard.
Air f lows f rom the f loor
vents. When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode.
Air f lows f rom the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield.
When you select or ,
the system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
Turn this dial to increase or decrease
the fan speed and airflow.
Airf low is divided between
the vents in the dashboard and the
f loor vents.
Airf low is divided between
the f loor vents and the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield.
When the recirculation indicator is
on, air f rom the vehicle’s interior is
sent throughout the system again.
When the indicator is off, air is
brought in f rom the outside of the
vehicle (Fresh Air mode). 67
Optional on DX models
Air Flow Buttons
Fan Control Dial
T emperature Control Dial
Air Conditioning (A/C) Button
Rear Window Def ogger Button
Mode Control Dial
Recirculation Button
Features
89
Page 91 of 236

The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the rear side
panels.Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial. you can
cool it down more rapidly by partially
opening the windows, turning on the
A/C, and setting the fan to
maximum speed in Fresh Air mode.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reads normally.
The heater uses engine coolant to
warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes bef ore you
f eel warm air coming through the
system. Set the temperature to the lower
limit.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
ON button. The indicator in the
button comes on when a f an speed
is selected.
Make sure the temperature set to
maximum cool.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
Recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2.
3. 62
If the interior is very warm,
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Ventilation
Using the Heater
Using the A /C
90