2008 HONDA CIVIC COUPE coolant level

This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount.This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the reading should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, such as
very hot weather or a long period of
uphill driving, the reading may rise
intotheupperhalfofthegauge.Ifit
reaches the red (Hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. See
page f or instructions and
precautions on checking the engine
cooling system.Your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The f irst time a leak is detected
a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
appears on the information display.
Turn the engine of f , and conf irm the
f uel f ill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the f uel f ill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the SEL/RESET
button. The ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’
message will appear each time you
restart the engine until the system
turns the message of f .
279
Fuel Gauge T emperature Gauge Check Fuel Cap Message
Gauges
68
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
——

y

y
(+yy

Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle. 230
238 A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Engine Coolant Check
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
191
RESERVE TANK
SiRESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN
MAX
MIN
DX, Canadian DX-G, LX, EX, EX-L
——

y
y
(+y
y

Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
9.
A dding Engine Coolant
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
238
DX, Canadian DX-G, LX, EX, EX-L SiRESERVE TANK RESERVE TANK
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
——

y

y
(+yy

Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
9.
A dding Engine Coolant
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
238
DX, Canadian DX-G, LX, EX, EX-L SiRESERVE TANK RESERVE TANK
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
——

y

y
(+yy

If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
239
RADIATOR CAP
DX, Canadian DX-G, LX, EX, EX-LRemoving the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
——

y

y
(+yy

Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.
The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
3.
4. 5.6.
Engine Coolant
240
Si
SiRESERVE TANK
RADIATOR CAP RESERVE TANK
DX, Canadian DX-G, LX, EX, EX-L
——

y

y
(+yy

Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (seeon page ).
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). Add coolant if the level is
below the MIN mark. Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge, or lower,
bef ore checking the radiator.
7. 8. 9.
3. 4. 5. 6. 290
191 290
10. 11.
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
280
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
——

y
y
(+yy

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 195
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) . 78
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 108
................
Adding Engine Coolant . 238
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 235
.......
Adjusting the Steering Wheel . 75
.........
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 16
...............................
Airbag (SRS) . 9, 21
..............
Air Conditioning System . 114
.........................................
Usage . 117
...............
Air Pressure, Tires . 255, 257
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 187
......................................
Antif reeze . 238
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator . 59, 214
...................................
Operation . 214
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 179
Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock . 78
................................
Audio System . 119
.....
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking . 81
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 19
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 182 ..............
Automatic Transmission . 208
..........................
Capacity, Fluid . 297
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 242
.......................................
Shif ting . 208
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators . 208
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 209
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 211
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 57, 281
............................
Jump Starting . 277
..............................
Maintenance . 265
............................
Specif ications . 298
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 185
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,18
.........................
Beverage Holders . 107
..................................
Booster Seats . 47
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 214
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 186
....................
Bulb Replacement . 250
...........................................
Fluid . 244 .......................................
Parking . 105
..........................
System Design . 213
.................
System Indicator . 58, 283
........................
Wear Indicators . 213
.............................
Braking System . 213
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 186
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 73
........................
Brights, Headlights . 72
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights . 250
..............................
Brake Lights . 250
................
Front Parking Lights . 249
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 249
.................................
Headlights . 246
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 251
............................
Specif ications . 297
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 249
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 246
............................
Capacities Chart . 297
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 50
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 197
Index
A
B
C
INDEX
I
——

y
y
(+yy