2008 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID Owners Manual

Fluid Locations
214
RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap) AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION (CVT)
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
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The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 0W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
0W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines’’.
A very low-viscosity, f uel-ef f icient
0W-20 oil is the pref erred engine
lubricant f or your Civic Hybrid. This
special oil is f ormulated to help your
engine use less fuel. It is available at
your dealer. A 5W-20 oil may be used
if 0W-20 is not available.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on the valve cover. Pour in
the oil slowly and caref ully so you do
not spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Reinstall the engine
oil f ill cap, and tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes, and recheck the
oil level on the engine oil dipstick.
Do not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine. Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
215
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
Ambient Temperature
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You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API certif ication seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the information
display.Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the inf ormation
display. The oil and f ilter collect
contaminants that can damage your
engine if they are not removed
regularly.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Removethenineholdingclips
with a flat-tipped screwdriver and
two bolts, then pull the under-
cover down.
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1.
2.3.
Only on U.S. models
Changing the Oil and Filter
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
216
HOLDING CLIP
BOLTS
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Refill the engine with the
recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it. Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine, and check your work.
Remove the oil drain bolt and
washer from the bottom of the
engine. Drain the oil into an
appropriate container.
Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Make sure the oil f ilter gasket is
not stuck to the engine block. If it
is, remove it bef ore installing a
new oil f ilter.7.
8.
9.
4. 5.
6.10.
CONT INUED
Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
217
DRAIN BOLT
WASHER OIL FILTER
3.4 US qt (3.2)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
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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.
Put the under-cover back in place
and reinstall the nine holding clips.
Locktheclipssecurelybypushing
on the center of each clip.If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to between the
MIN and MAX lines. Inspect the
cooling system f or leaks.
Always use Honda Long-Lif e
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 %
antif reeze and 50 % water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water. 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,
causingthecoolingsystemto
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
11.
12.
Only on U.S. models
A dding Engine Coolant
Changing the Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
218
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.
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If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
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. 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.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
219
RADIATOR CAP
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.
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Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.The low washer
level indicator comes on when the
level is low (see page ). Check the f luid level by removing
the cap and looking at the level
gauge.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
61
On Canadian models:
Windshield Washers
220
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
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Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks within the HOT range.If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda CVT Fluid
(Continuously Variable
Transmission f luid).
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2. 3.
4. 5.
2.
1.
CONT INUED
Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT)
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
221
DIPSTICK UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK
HOT
Range
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