Page 4 of 300

2008 Civic Hybrid Online Reference Owner's Manual
\
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction .............................................................................................................................\
............................. i
A Few Words About Safety ......................................................................\
........................................................ iii
Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) ......................................................................\
................................ 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) .......................................................... 5
Instruments and Controls (indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column) ......................................... 55
Features (climate control, audio, steering wheel, security, and cruise control)........................................................ 101
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break- in, and cargo loading) ............................................................................ 173
Driving (engine and transmission operation) .......................................................................\
............................... 189
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage) ..................................................... 205
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, and fuses) ..................................... 241
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ................................................ 265
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ......... 279
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) .......................................................................\
.................... 283
Index ......................................................................\
......................................................... ...................................... I
Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
\
\
1 00X31-SNC-6200
Page 5 of 300

A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
How to operate the heating and air
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other convenience
f eatures. What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park.
A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check
and instructions on how to check
them.
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints.
Overview of Contents
Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
Features Bef ore Driving
Driving
Maintenance
Warranty and Customer
Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
T echnical Inf ormation
T aking Care of the Unexpected
2
\f—\f—\fy
\fy
(#\fy\f\f\fy
2008 Civic Hybrid
Page 6 of 300
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
GAUGES INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS AUDIO SYSTEMAUXILIARY INPUT JACK ACCESSORY
POWER SOCKET
(P.64)
(P.58)
(P.9,24) PASSENGER’S FRONT AIRBAG
DRIVER’S FRONT
AIRBAG
MIRROR CONTROLS
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE HANDLE
TRUNK RELEASE
HANDLE DOOR LOCK TAB
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT) (P.80)
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
(P.167) (P.192)(P.102)
(P.99)
(P.108)
(P.9,24)
(P.80)
(P.94)
(P.175)
(P.87)
Vehicle with navigation system is shown (P.96)
——y
y
(#yy
2008 Civic Hybrid
Page 59 of 300
Control L ocations
56
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
MIRROR CONTROLS
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE HANDLEINSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS
GAUGES
AUDIO SYSTEM
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH (P.58)
(P.64)
(P.80) (P.80)
DOOR LOCK TAB
TRUNK RELEASE
HANDLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)
AUXILIARY INPUT JACK ACCESSORY POWER
SOCKET
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
(P.94)
(P.175)
(P.87) (P.108)
(P.102)
(P.99)
(P.167) (P.192)
Vehicle with navigation system is shown (P.96)
\f—\f—\fy
y
(#\fy\f\f
y
2008 Civic Hybrid
Page 173 of 300

Push the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel. The CRUISE
MAIN indicator on the instrument
panel comes on.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speedabove25mph(40km/h).Cruise control may not hold the set
speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your speed increases
going down a hill, use the brakes to
slowdown.Thiswillcancelcruise
control. To resume the set speed,
press the RES/ACCEL button. The
indicator on the instrument panel will
come back on.
When climbing a steep hill, the
automatic transmission may
downshifttoholdthesetspeed.
Cruise control allows you to maintain
asetspeedabove25mph(40km/h)
without keeping your f oot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
f or cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended f or
city driving, winding roads, slippery
roads, heavy rain, or bad weather.
Press and release the SET/
DECELbuttononthesteering
wheel. The CRUISE CONTROL
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on to show the system is
now activated.
1.
2. 3.
Using the Cruise Control
Cruise Control
170
CANCEL
BUTTON
CRUISE BUTTON
RES/ACCEL
BUTTON
SET/DECEL
BUTTON
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.
\f—\f—\fy
\f
y
(#\fy\f
y
2008 Civic Hybrid
Page 183 of 300

µµµ µ
µ µ
µ
Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
An under-inf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption. In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the multi-
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon. If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
212
Fuel Economy Factors Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page).
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Avoid excessive idling
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Observe the speed limit
Drive moderately 215
Drive Ef f icient ly
Vehicle Maint enance
Fuel Economy
180
\f—\f—\fy
y
(#\fy\f
y
2008 Civic Hybrid
Page 192 of 300
This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmissions (CVT). It
also includes important inf ormation
on parking your vehicle, the braking
system and the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS).........................
Preparing to Drive .190
.......................
Starting the Engine .191
.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) .192
...........................................
Parking .198
.............................
Braking System .199
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .200
...........................
Towing a Trailer .201
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
......................................
(TPMS) .202
Driving
Driving
189
\f—\f—\fy
y
(#\fy\f
y
2008 Civic Hybrid
Page 195 of 300
Honda’s Continuously Variable
Transmission’s unique design
provides a smooth, constant f low of
power. It is electronically controlled
f or more precise operation and
better f uel economy.These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shif t
lever is in.The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it f lashes while driving (in
any shif t position), it indicates a
possible problem in the transmission.
If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration, and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT)
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
192
\f—\f—\fy
y
(#\fy\f
y
2008 Civic Hybrid