2008 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID engine overheat

2008 Civic Hybrid Online Reference Owner's Manual

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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)
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1 00X31-SNC-6200

If you turn the steering wheel to the
f ull lef t or right position repeatedly
while stopping or driving at very low
speed, you may f eel slightly harder
steering due to overheating of the
steering gearbox.This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. When the brake system
indicator (amber) is on, there is the
problem with the Cooperative
Control with regenerative brake,
Creep Aid System or Brake Assist
(the normal brake operates properly).
Have your vehicle checked by your
dealer.
For more inf ormation, see page .
Continuously driving under those
conditions could damage the power
steering system.
This indicator normally comes on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position and goes of f
af ter the engine starts. If it comes on
at any other time, there is a problem
in the electric power steering system.
If this happens, stop the vehicle in a
saf e place, and turn of f the engine.
Reset the system by restarting the
engine. The indicator will not turn
of f immediately. If it does not go of f
after driving a short distance, or
comes back on again while driving,
take the vehicle to your dealer to
have it checked. With the indicator
on, the EPS may be of f , making the
vehicle harder to steer.
199
Electric Power Steering
(EPS) Indicator
Brake System
Indicator
(A mber)
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
63
U.S. Canada
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When the low tire pressure indicator
is on, one or more of your tires is
signif icantly underinf lated. You
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure as indicated on
the vehicle’s tire inf ormation placard.
If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly, and inf late the tire to
the recommended pressure shown
on the driver’s doorjamb.
If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire (see page ).
If you cannot make the low tire
pressure indicator go out af ter
inf lating the tires to the specif ied
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible.Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure indicator may
come on unexpectedly.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor (not including the spare tire).
If the air pressure of a tire becomes
signif icantly low while driving, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure indicator to come on.
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
243
U.S. models onlyLow Tire Pressure
Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
202
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This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .242
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .243
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .247
................................
Jump Starting .249
..............
If the Engine Overheats .251
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .253
..........
Charging System Indicator .254
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .255
...............
Brake System Indicator .256
..............................................
Fuses .257
..............................
Fuse Locations .261
......................
Emergency Towing .263
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
241
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The reading on the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
When the current f uel mileage is
shownonthedisplay,the
temperature gauge will interrupt on
the display and blink for several
times if the coolant temperature
rises to 224°F (118°C) or more. At
the same time, the beeper sounds
once.
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indicationmaybethetemperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
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 reading comes down to the
midpoint, then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning indicators.
1.
2.
3.
4.
CONT INUED
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
251
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
reading at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
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Start the engine, and set the
interior temperature to maximum.
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.
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 (see
on page ).
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.
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.
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.
8.
9.
7.
6.
10.
11.
5.
263
178
263
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
252
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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CONT INUED
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .270
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .189
....................................
Economy .179
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .230
...................................
Fan, Interior .103
.........................................
Features .101
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .175
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .230
...............................................
Oil .216
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .75
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .243
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .221
..........................................
Brake .222 ..................
Windshield Washer .220
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .161
..........................
Four-way Flashers .75
..............................
Front Airbags .9,21
.................................................
Fuel .174
......................
Fill Door and Cap .175
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement .174
...............................
Oxygenated .174
........................
Reserve Indicator .61
........................
Tank, Filling the .175
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .257
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .179
..........................................
Gasohol .174
.........................................
Gasoline .174
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .61
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement .174
........................
Tank, Filling the .175
................
Gas Station Procedures .175
..............................
Economy, Fuel .179
............
Emergencies on the Road .241
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .249
...........
Brake System Indicator .256
................
Changing a Flat Tire .243
.....
Charging System Indicator .254
..................
Checking the Fuses .257
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .253
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .255
..................
Overheated Engine .251
...........................
Emergency Brake .96
......................
Emergency Flashers .75
......................
Emergency Towing .263
............
Emergency Trunk Opener .87
.......................
Emissions Controls .275
........................
Emissions Testing .278
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .65 ..............
Engine Speed Limiter .194
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .62,255
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,253
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .215
...............................
Overheating .251
............................
Specif ications .268
.......................................
Starting .191
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .275
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .16
Index
F
E
G
INDEX
III
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CONT INUED
Locks.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .79
............................
Fuel Fill Door .175
.................................
Power Door .80
...........................................
Trunk .87
........................
Low Coolant Level .178
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .61
................................
Lower Anchors .43
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .62,253
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .268
..................................
Maintenance .205
........................................
Minder .207
.........................
Minder Indicator .61
Owner’s Maintenance
...................................
Checks .212
..........................................
Saf ety .206
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .62,255
.........................
Meters, Gauges .57,64
...................
Methanol in Gasoline .174
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .95
....................................
MP3/WMA .120 ...................
Neutral Gear Position .194
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .174
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .266
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .174
.........................................
Odometer .64
................................
Odometer,Trip .64
Oil
........................
Change, How to .216
......................
Change, When to .207
......................
Checking Engine .176
..............
Pressure Indicator .62,253
.......
Selecting Proper Viscosity .215
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .79
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .275
..............................
Outside Mirrors .95
....
Outside Temperature Indicator .67
....................
Overheating, Engine .251
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .212
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .174 ..............
Panel Brightness Control .74
........................
Park Gear Position .193
...........................................
Parking .198
.................................
Parking Brake .96
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator .58,256
.................................
Parking Lights .73
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .198
.............................
PGM-FI System .276
..........................
Playing the Radio .110
................................
Playing a Disc .120
.........................
Playing a PC Card .149
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .16
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .11
...
Additional Safety Precautions .17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .16
........................
Protecting Children .34
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .39
.......
Protecting Larger Children .48
.........
Protecting Small Children .40
Index
M N
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INDEX
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