2008 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID service

Calif ornia Proposition 65 WarningThis product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth
def ects or other reproductive harm.
Event Data Recorders
This data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by anyone else
except as legally required or with the permission of the vehicle owner.
Service Diagnostic Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record inf ormation about powertrain perf ormance. The data
can be used to verif y emissions law requirements and/or help technicians diagnose and solve service problems. It may
also be combined with data f rom other sources f or research purposes, but it remains conf idential.
Introduction
WARNING:
This vehicle is equipped with one or more devices commonly ref erred to as event data recorders. These
devices record f ront seat belt use, f ront passenger seat occupancy, airbag deployment data, and the f ailure
of any airbag system component.
ii
\f—\f—\fy
y
(#\fy\f\f\fy
2008 Civic Hybrid

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

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

µ
This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts. It
explains how your airbags work. And
it tells you how to properly restrain
inf ants and children in your vehicle.
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
.......
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features .7
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
...........................................
Airbags .9
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .11
.....
1.Close and Lock the Doors .11
...........
2.Adjust the Front Seats .11
............
3.Adjust the Seat-Backs .12
...
4.Adjust the Head Restraints .13
5.Fasten and Position the
.............................
Seat Belts .14
6.Maintain a Proper Sitting ................................
Position .15
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .16
...
Additional Safety Precautions .17 Additional Inf ormation About
.......................
Your Seat Belts .18
..
Seat Belt System Components .18
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .19
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .19
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance .20
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags .21
......
Airbag System Components .21
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .28
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .29
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .30
How the Side Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .30
How the Passenger Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .31
.............................
Airbag Service .32
...
Additional Safety Precautions .32
Protecting Children General ................................
Guidelines .34
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .34 All Children Should Sit in a
.................................
Back Seat .35
The Passenger’s Front Airbag .........
Can Pose Serious Risks .35
If You Must Drive with Several ...................................
Children .37
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention .37
...
Additional Safety Precautions .38
Protecting Inf ants and Small ...................................
Children .39
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .39
.........
Protecting Small Children .40
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .41
....................
Installing a Child Seat .42
...............................
With LATCH .43
.........
With a Lap/Shoulder Belt .45
..............................
With a Tether .46
...........
Protecting Larger Children .48
...............
Checking Seat Belt Fit .48
..................
Using a Booster Seat .49
When Can a Larger Child Sit in
.........................................
Front .50
...
Additional Safety Precautions .51
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .52
...................................
Saf ety Labels .53
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
5
——y
y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Hybrid

Your airbag systems are virtually
maintenance f ree, and there are no
parts you can saf ely service.
However, you must have your
vehicle serviced if:Any airbag
that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit and other related parts. Any
seat belt tensioner that activates
must also be replaced.
Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by an authorized dealer or
a knowledgeable body shop. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, your airbags may not
operate properly.
Even if your
airbags do not inflate, your dealer
should inspect the driver’s seat
position sensor, the f ront
passenger’s weight sensors, the
f ront seat belt tensioners, and all
seat belts worn during a crash to
make sure they are operating
properly. Together, airbags and
seat belts provide the best
protection.
Tampering could cause
the airbags to deploy, possibly
causing very serious injury.
Airbag Service Additional Saf ety Precautions
An airbag ever inf lates.
T he SRS indicat or alert s you t o a
problem.
If your vehicle has a moderat e t osevere impact . Donotattempttodeactivateyour
airbags.
Do not t amper wit h airbagcomponent s or wiring f or anyreason.
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
32
\f—\f—\fy

\fy
(#\fy\f\fy
2008 Civic Hybrid

Improperly replacing
or covering f ront seat-back covers
can prevent your side airbags f rom
inf lating during a side impact.
This could make the
driver’s seat position sensor or the
f ront passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective. If it is necessary to
remove or modif y a f ront seat to
accommodate a person with
disabilities, f irst contact Honda
Automobile Customer Service at
(800) 999-1009. If water or
another liquid soaks into a seat-
back, it can prevent the side airbag
cutoff system from working
properly.
Do not cover or replace f ront seat -
back covers wit hout consult ingyour dealer.
Do not remove or modif y a f ront
seat without consulting yourdealer. Do not expose the f ront passenger’s
seat-back to liquid.
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
33
\f—\f—\fy


\fy
(#\fy\f\fy
2008 Civic Hybrid

If this indicator comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position and the parking brake is
released, it means there is a problem
in the circuit. Have your vehicle
checked by your dealer.
This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator also comes on with
reduced brightness when the
daytime running lights (DRL) are on
(see page ).This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or position. If you turn the
ignition switch to the ACCESSORY
(I) or the LOCK (0) position without
turning of f the light switch, this
indicator will remain on. A reminder
chime will also sound when you open
the driver’s door and remove the key
from the ignition switch.
This indicator comes on if the trunk
lid is not closed tightly.
This indicator comes on if any door
is not closed tightly. This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a professional towing service
(see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page .
243
74 73
263242U.S. models only
Instrument Panel Indicators
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
High Beam Indicator Lights On Indicator
Trunk-open Indicator
Door-open IndicatorLow Tire Pressure
Indicator
60
\f—\f—\fy
y
(#\fy\f\fy
2008 Civic Hybrid

When the indicator comes on, there
is about 0.9 US gal (3.5
)of fuel
remaining in the tank bef ore the
reading reaches E. There is a small
reserve of f uel remaining in the tank
when the reading does reach E.
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon.
This indicator goes of f when your
dealer resets it after completing the
required maintenance service.
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance. The
maintenance main items and sub
items will be displayed in the
inf ormation display. See page f or
more inf ormation on the
maintenance minder.
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the cruise control system by
pressing the CRUISE button (see
page ).
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See page
f or inf ormation on operating the
cruise control.
This indicator comes on when the
washer f luid level is low. Add washer
fluidwhenyouseethisindicator
come on (see page ).
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS. With
this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.
170
170
220 207
Canadian models only
U.S. models only
Instrument Panel Indicators
Low Fuel Indicator
Maintenance Minder
Indicator
Cruise Main Indicator
Cruise Control Indicator
Washer Level Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
\f—\f—\fy
y
(#\fy\f\fy
2008 Civic Hybrid