2008 HONDA CIVIC engine

The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work to-
gether in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Honda replacement parts or their
equivalent f or repairs. Using lower
qualitypartsmayincreasethe
emissions f rom your vehicle.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate f rom
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual f or more inf orma-
tion.
The exhaust emissions controls
include f our systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, exhaust gas
recirculation, and three way catalytic
converter. These f our systems work
together to control the engine’s
combustion and minimize the
amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
come out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate f rom the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
The PGM-FI system uses sequential
multiport f uel injection. It has three
subsystems: air intake, engine
control, and f uel control. The
powertrain control module (PCM) in
automatic transmission vehicles or
the engine control module (ECM) in
manual transmission vehicles uses
various sensors to determine how
much air is going into the engine. It then controls how much f uel to inject
under all operating conditions.
This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
system takes some of the exhaust
gas and routes it back into the intake
manif old. Adding exhaust gas to the
air/f uel mixture reduces the amount
of NOx produced when the f uel is
burned.
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), nitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
2
2
Exhaust Emissions Controls Replacement Parts
PGM-FI Syst emIgnit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
Exhaust Gas Recirculat ion (EGR)Syst em
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Emissions Cont rols
T echnical Inf ormation
301
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The three way catalytic converter
contains precious metals that serve
as catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without af f ecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is ref erred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Honda part
or its equivalent.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperaturefor the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on f ire any
combustible materials that come
near it. Park your vehicle away from
high grass, dry leaves, or other
f lammables.
A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine’s per-
f ormance. Follow these guidelines to
protect your vehicle’s three way
catalytic converter. Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter inef f ective.
Keep the engine well maintained.
Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misf iring, back-
f iring, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly.
Three Way Catalytic Converter
302
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
Si model
DX, Canadian DX-G, LX, EX, EX-L
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If you take your vehicle f or an
emissions test shortly af ter the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions.Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine, and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 6
hours or more.
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 40° and
95°F.
If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle retested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle f or retesting by
doing the f ollowing.
Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4). Keep the vehicle in Park
(automatic transmission) or
neutral (manual transmission).
Increase the engine speed to 2,000
rpm,andholditthereuntilthe
temperature gauge rises to at least
1/4of thescale(about3minutes).
Without touching the accelerator
pedal and let the engine idle f or 20
seconds.
1. 2.3. 4.5. 6.
CONT INUED
T esting of Readiness Codes
Emissions T est ing
T echnical Inf ormation
303
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Select a nearby lightly traveled
major highway where you can
maintain a speed of 50 to 60 mph
(80to97km/h)foratleast20
minutes. Drive on the highway in
D (automatic) or 5th (manual). Do
notusethecruisecontrol.When
traffic allows, drive for 90 seconds
without moving the accelerator
pedal. (Vehicle speed may vary
slightly; this is okay.) If you cannot
do this f or a continuous 90
seconds because of traf f ic
conditions, drive f or at least 30
seconds, then repeat it two more
times (for a total of 90 seconds).Then drive in city/suburban
traffic for at least 10 minutes.
When traf f ic conditions allow, let
the vehicle coast f or several
seconds without using the
accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal.
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 30
minutes.
If the testing f acility determines the
readiness codes are still not set, see
your dealer.
7.
8. 9.
Emissions T est ing
304
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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 Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
(U.S. only)
Authorized Manuals
Authorized Manuals
309
Form Description
2006-2008 Honda Civic 2/4 Door Service Manual
2006-2008 Honda Civic 2/4 Door
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
2006 Model Series Honda Civic 2/4 Door
Body Repair Manual
2008 Honda Civic 4 Door Owner’s Manual
2008 Honda Civic
Navigation System Owner’s Manual
2008 Honda Civic Honda Service History
2008 Honda Civic 4 Door Quick Start Guide Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Publication
Form Number 61SNA05
61SNA05EL 61SNA30
31SNA621 31SNA810
31SNAM20 31SNAQ20 HON-R
www. helminc. com
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CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 189
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) . 78
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 106
..................
Active Head Restraints . 94
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 233
...............................
Airbag (SRS) . 9, 21
...
Airbags, Additional Information . 21
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 32
..........
AdvancedAirbagSystem .26
.............................
Airbag Service . 31
How the Passenger Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works . 30
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works . 30
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 29
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work . 24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 27
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work . 29
........................
SRS Components . 21
..............
Air Conditioning System . 108
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 255 ......................................
Antif reeze . 236
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator . 60, 208
...................................
Operation . 208
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 173
Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock . 78
............................................
Armrest . 95
................................
Audio System . 112
.....
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking . 81
.........................
Auto Door Locking . 81
.....................
Auto Door Unlocking . 83
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 19
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 176
..............
Automatic Transmission . 202
..........................
Capacity, Fluid . 293
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 240
.......................................
Shif ting . 202
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators . 202
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 203
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 205
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack . 172 Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 65, 277
............................
Jump Starting . 273
..............................
Maintenance . 262
............................
Specif ications . 294
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 179
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,18
.........................
Beverage Holders . 106
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 208
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 180
....................
Bulb Replacement . 247
...........................................
Fluid . 242
.................
Pad Wear Indicators . 207
.......................................
Parking . 103
.................
System Indicator . 59, 279
.............................
Braking System . 207
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 180
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 73
........................
Brights, Headlights . 72
Index
A B
INDEX
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Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights . 247
..............................
Brake Lights . 247
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 246
.........
Front Turn Signal Lights . 246
.........................
Headlights . 244, 245
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 249
..........................
Parking Lights . 246
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 247
..........
Rear Turn Signal Lights . 247
............................
Specif ications . 293
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 244 ...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iii
...................................
Dashboard . 3, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 73
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 308
........................
Def og and Def rost . 111
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 74
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 111
....................................
Dimensions . 292
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 72
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 240
..................................
Engine Oil . 183
..........................
Directional Signals . 72
Disc Brake Pad Wear
...................................
Indicators . 207
............................
Disc Player . 124, 144
..................
Display Change Button . 66
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 236
.........................................
Card, PC . 153
............................
Capacities Chart . 293
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 51
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 191
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of . iii
..............................
CD Player . 124, 144
..................................
Ceiling Light . 104
........................
Certif ication Label . 290
............................................
Chains . 261
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 267 Changing Oil
........................................
How to . 234
......................................
When to . 223
...
Charging System Indicator . 65, 277
..............
Check Fuel Cap Message . 68
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 197
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 33
Child Seats
.............
LATCH Anchor System . 42
...........................
Lower Anchors . 42
................
Tether Anchor Points . 45
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 80
.........................
Clock, Setting the . 174
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 243
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 300
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 198
..............................
Compact Spare . 266
.................
Console Compartment . 106
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 306
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 236
....................................
Checking . 185
.........................
Proper Solution . 236
...................
Temperature Gauge . 67 Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System . 300
............
Cruise Control Operation . 176
....
Customer Service Inf ormation . 306
Index
C D
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CONT INUED
Doors.
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking . 81
.....................
Auto Door Locking . 81
.................
Auto Door Unlocking . 83
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 79
......................
Power Door Locks . 80
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 295
Downshif ting, Manual
.............................
Transmission . 199
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving . 195
....................................
Economy . 186
..................................
Guidelines . 196
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 250
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 186
............
Emergencies on the Road . 265
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 273
...........
Brake System Indicator . 279
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 267
.....
Charging System Indicator . 277
..................
Checking the Fuses . 280
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 277
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 278 ..................
Overheated Engine . 275
.........................
Emergency Brake . 103
......................
Emergency Flashers . 74
......................
Emergency Towing . 286
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 87
.......................
Emissions Controls . 300
........................
Emissions Testing . 303Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 67
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 201, 204
Malf unction Indicator
......................................
Lamp . 278
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 65, 277
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 232
...............................
Overheating . 275
............................
Specif ications . 292
.......................................
Starting . 198
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 181
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 300
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 51
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 16
...................................
Fan, Interior . 108 .........................................
Features . 107
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 181
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 250
...............................................
Oil . 234
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 241
................................
Shif ting the . 199
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 74
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 267
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 240
..........................................
Brake . 242
.........................................
Clutch . 243
...................................
Locations . 230
..............
Manual Transmission . 241
..........................
Power Steering . 243
..................
Windshield Washer . 239
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception . 166
...........................
Folding Rear Seat . 95
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 74
..............................
Front Airbags . 9, 24
Index
F
E
INDEX
III
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