2008 HONDA CIVIC COUPE service

Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page
).
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action. If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1. 2. 3. 4.
189
234
290 Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Charging System Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
281
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
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However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ). The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position and as a reminder to
check the parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully release the
parking brake. If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator (if equipped) come
on with the brake system indicator,
have your vehicle inspected by your
dealer immediately.
244 290Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
283
Canada
U.S.
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µµ If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do this:
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle:
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the f ront tires and lif t them of f
the ground. The rear tires remain on
the ground. Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to neutral.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Do not tie down the vehicle at an
angle that would allow the towing
cables to contact the vehicle’s f ront
bumper. To avoid possible damage,
protect the f ront bumper with tape.
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
do not tow the vehicle more than 50
miles (80 km), and keep the speed
below35mph(55km/h).
If your vehicle is equipped with a
f ront spoiler, remove it bef ore
towing so it is not damaged.
Start the engine.
Press on the brake pedal. Move
the shif t lever through all its
positions.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Release the parking brake.
Turn of f the engine.
Shif t to D position f or 5 seconds,
then to N.
Manual transmission:
Automatic transmission:
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment
T his is the best way to
transport your vehicle.
This is an acceptable
way to tow your vehicle.
Emergency T owing
290
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
vehicle must be transported with the
f ront wheels of f the ground.
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Honda dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
service manager or general manager
can help. Almost all problems are
solved in this way.
U.S. Owners:Canadian Owners:
If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact your Honda
Customer Service Office. When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation:
Vehicle identif ication number (see
page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your vehicle
Date of purchase
Mileage on your vehicle
Your name, address, and
telephone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
vehicle to you
In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
294
Cust omer Service Inf ormat ion
312
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, California 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 999-1009Honda Canada Inc.
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B 2K8
Tel: 1-888-9-HONDA-9
Fax: Toll-free 1-877-939-0909
Toronto (416) 287-4776
Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816
Tel: (787) 620-7546
Customer Relations
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T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Covers maintenance and recommended procedures f or
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
f or the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
f or most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting inf ormation f or each electrical circuit
in your vehicle.
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S. only) Service Manu
al:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
Authorized Manuals
Authorized Manuals
315
Form Description
2008 Honda Civic 2/4 door Service Manual 2006-2008 Honda Civic 2/4 door
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
2006-2008 Model Series Honda Civic 2/4 door Body Repair Manual
2008 Honda Civic 2-door Owner’s Manual
2008 Honda Civic Navigation System Manual
2008 Honda Civic Honda Service History
2008 Honda Civic 2-door Quick Start Guide Order Form for Previous Years
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Publication
Form Number
61SNA05
61SNA05EL
61SNA30
31SVA621
31SNA810
31SNAM20 31SVAQ20
HON-R
www. helminc. com
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..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
.........................................
CD Care . 174
..........................
CD Changer . 135, 157
.....
CD Changer Error Messages . 137
..............................
CD Player . 130, 150
.
CD Player Error Messages . 136, 158
..................................
Ceiling Light . 111
........................
Certif ication Label . 294
.................................
Chains, Tires . 263
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 271
Changing Oil
........................................
How to . 236
......................................
When to . 225
...
Charging System Indicator . 57, 281
..............
Check Fuel Cap Message . 68
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 203
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 32
..............................
Booster Seats . 47
...................................
Child Seats . 39
Important Saf ety
.........................
Reminders . 32, 35
..........................................
Inf ants . 37
............................
Large Children . 46
.........................................
LATCH . 41
......................
Risks with Airbags . 33
.............................
Small Children . 38 .........................................
Tethers . 45
...........................
Warning Labels . 51
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 33
Child Seats ......................................
Installing . 40
...........................
Lower Anchors . 41
......................................
Selecting . 39
................
Tether Anchor Points . 45
Cleaning ...................................
Seat Belts . 251
..............................................
Clock . 180
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 245
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 305
......................................
Coat Hook . 108
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 204
......................
Compact Spare Tire . 270
.................
Console Compartment . 107
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 312
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 53
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 238
....................................
Checking . 191
.........................
Proper Solution . 238
...................
Temperature Gauge . 68
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System . 305 ................
Cruise Control Indicator . 62
............
Cruise Control Operation . 182
...................................
Cup Holders . 107
....
Customer Service Inf ormation . 312
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard . 3, 54
................
Daytime Running Lights . 73
Daytime Running Lights
.......................................
Indicator . 63
.................................
Dead Battery . 277
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 314
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 74
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 118
....................................
Dimensions . 296
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 72
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 242
..................................
Engine Oil . 189
..........................
Directional Signals . 72
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 213
.......................................
Disc Care . 174
............................
Disc Player . 130, 150
..................
Display Change Button . 66
Index
D
II
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ÎÎ
.........................
Seats, Folding Rear . 98
............................
Security System . 181
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat . 39
...............................
Serial Number . 294
...........................
Service Intervals . 225
...........................
Service Manual . 315
.........
Service Station Procedures . 187
..........................
Setting the Clock . 180
...
Shif t Lever Position Indicators . 208
........................
Shif t Lock Release . 211
................................
Side Airbags . 9, 26
..........................
Of f Indicator . 29, 58
..................
Side Curtain Airbags . 9, 28
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
..............................
Replacement . 249
...............................
Signaling Turns . 72
..................................
Snow Chains . 263
.....................................
Snow Tires . 263
...........
Sockets, Accessory Power . 108
................................
Sound System . 119
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating . 270
............................
Specif ications . 298
....................................
Spark Plugs . 296
................................
Specif ications . 296
................................
Speed Control . 182 ........................
Speed Limiter . 207, 210
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 21
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 31
.............................
Airbag Service . 30
......
Airbag System Components . 21
How the Passenger Airbag
...............
Of f Indicator Works . 29
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works . 29
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 28
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work . 23
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 26
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work . 28
.............................
SRS Indicator . 28, 58
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 78
.......................
Starting the Engine . 204
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude . 204
................
With a Dead Battery . 277
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 279
Steering Wheel
................................
Adjustments . 75
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 78
.......
Steering Wheel Buttons . 177, 182 ...................
Stereo Sound System . 119
....................
Storing Your Vehicle . 267
Supplemental Restraint
..................................
System .9,21
......................................
Servicing . 30
.........................
SRS Indicator . 28, 58
...................
System Components . 21
.........................................
SVC . 124, 148
..................................
Synthetic Oil . 235
..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 250
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 269
Technical Descriptions
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 299
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 305
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels . 187
Three Way Catalytic
.......................
Converter . 306, 307
.......................
Temperature Gauge . 68
.....................
Tether Anchor Points . 45
................
Thef t Protection, Radio . 179
Three Way Catalytic
...........................
Converter . 306, 307
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 75
Index
T
VIII
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Î
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Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the . 269 ..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 299
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 186
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 238
......................
Using a Booster Seat . 47
..........................
Time, Setting the . 180
....................................
Tire Chains . 263
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 271
Tire Pressure Monitoring
........................
System (TPMS) . 218
...............................................
Tires . 255
......................
Air Pressure . 255, 257
........................................
Chains . 263
.........................
Checking Wear . 258
..........................
Compact Spare . 270
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 299
......................................
Inf lation . 255
..................................
Inspection . 258
.....................................
Labeling . 301
Low Tire Pressure
...........................
Indicator . 61, 218
..............................
Maintenance . 259
...................................
Replacing . 261
......................................
Rotating . 260
................................
Service Lif e . 258
...........................................
Snow . 263
............................
Specif ications . 298
...................
Summer Tires . 257, 262
.........................................
TPMS . 218
...........................................
Wear . 260
.......................................
Wheels . 264 ...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 271
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer . 221
................
Emergency Wrecker . 290
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 242
Checking Fluid Level,
...................................
Manual . 243
..................
Fluid Selection . 242, 243
..............
Identif ication Number . 295
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 208
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 205
...................................
Treadwear . 299
...................
Treadwear Indicators . 258
.......................................
Trip Meter . 66
................................................
Trunk . 90
....................
Emergency Opener . 91
........................................
Opening . 90
............................
Open Indicator . 63
....................................
Turn Signals . 72 ................................
Vanity Mirror . 109
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 198
......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 296
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 294
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 267
.....................................
Ventilation . 116
.................................................
VIN . 294
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 235
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
................
Warning Button, Hazard . 74
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 51
....................
Warranty Coverages . 313
CONT INUED
Index
INDEXU V W
IX
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