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
Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. You may hear a knocking noise from
the engine if you drive the vehicle at
low engine speed (below about 1,000
rpm) in a higher gear. To stop this,
raise the engine speed by shif ting to
a lower gear.
We recommend using gasoline
containing detergent additives that
help prevent f uel system and engine
deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it isavailable, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your dealer f or service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 percent ethanol
by volume and up to 15 percent
MTBE by volume. Do not use
gasoline containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy, metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical f ailure.
On vehicles with manual transmission
Break-in Period
Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
122
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .146
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 147
....................
Maintenance Record .151
..............................
Fluid Locations .153
........................
Adding Engine Oil .154
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 155
..............................
Engine Coolant .157
....................
Windshield Washers .158
.....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 159
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 160
....................................
Timing Belt .160
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 161
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 162
....................................
Hood Latch .162
.............................................
Lights .163
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 169
.....................................
Floor Mats .169
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 169
.................................
Wiper Blades .170
...............................................
Tires .172
...................
Checking the Battery . 178
.............................
Vehicle Storage .179
215
Maintenance
Maint enance
145
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and f lames away f rom the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working with the battery or compressed air.
Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or qualif ied
mechanic.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Potential Vehicle HazardsCarbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts. Injury f rom moving parts.
146
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations, and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
µµ
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.
122
OCCASIONALLY
Maintenance Schedule
Which Schedule to Follow
U.S. Owners Canadian Owners
Maint enance
147
NOTE:
µµµ
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We recommend the use of Honda
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done. U.S. Vehicles:
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 fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. 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,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Your authorized 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.
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed at the recommended time
or mileage period to ensure long-
term reliability. 125
159 161
172 125
163
Maintenance Schedule
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
148
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Follow the Normal Maintenance
Schedule if the severe driving
conditions specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance Schedule on
the next page do not apply.
NOT E: If you only OCCASIONALLY
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
149
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
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Check inflation and condition once a month Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
8060
9670
112 80
128 100
160
90
144
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110
176 120
192130
208140
224150
240
Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years.
See information on maintenance and emission warranty on page .
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Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page175)
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
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 fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace manual transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace timing belt, and inspect auto-tensioner and
water pump
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
1: : 148
1
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
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Follow the Severe Maintenance
Schedule if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions: Extensive idling or long periods of
stop and go driving, such as a taxi or
a commercial delivery vehicle.
Driving with a roof rack, or driving
in mountainous 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.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced
roads. Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions. Canadian Owners
150
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every
60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
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Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) (Use normal schedule
except in dusty conditions)
10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
80 70
112 80
128 100
160
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop 110
176
60
96 90
144 120
192130
208140
224150
240
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
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See information on maintenance and
emission warranty on page . See timing belt on page for
replacement information under special
driving conditions. Replace at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3
years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000
km) or 2 years. See dust and pollen filter on page for
replacement information under special
driving conditions.
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page175)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components, Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system , Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls/vehicle underbody
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace manual transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace timing belt , inspect auto-tensioner and
water pump
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 1:
2:
3:
: 160
148 169
1
2
,3
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions