2008 HONDA CIVIC check transmission fluid

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
The manual transmission should be
drained and ref illed with new f luid
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
inf ormation display.
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Replace the brake f luid according to
thetimerecommendationsinthe
maintenance minder schedule.
Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
Brake System
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Transmission Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
242
MAX
MIN
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Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
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 enginecompartment.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible.
Manual Transmission only
All models except Si
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
243
LOWER LEVEL
UPPER LEVEL
MAX
MIN
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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Manual Transmission onlyAll models except Si and Canadian DX-Gwith manual transmission
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible. 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 Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
243
LOWER LEVEL
UPPER LEVEL
MAX
MIN
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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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
I
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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
II
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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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CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys . 76
.......................
Label, Certif ication . 290
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 72
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 14, 19
.................
LATCH Anchor System . 42
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement . 244
.......................................
Indicator . 59
.........................................
Parking . 72
..................................
Turn Signal . 72
....................................
Load Limits . 192
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 78
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 78
............................
Fuel Fill Door . 181
.................................
Power Door . 80
...........................................
Trunk . 86
........................
Low Coolant Level . 185
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator . 64
................................
Lower Anchors . 42
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 199 ...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 65, 277
Low Tire Pressure
.............................
Indicator . 63, 212
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 293
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 203
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 180
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds . 200 ...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 290
..................................
Maintenance . 221
................................
Minder . 223-229
.........................
Minder Indicator . 65
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 228
..........................................
Saf ety . 222
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 278
...................
Manual Transmission . 199
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 241
...............................
Meters, Gauges . 66
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 181
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting . 102
.......................................
Moonroof . 100
...........................
MP3/WMA . 125, 145 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 180
.........................................
Odometer . 66
...............................
Odometer, Trip . 67
Oil
........................
Change, How to . 234
......................
Change, When to . 223
......................
Checking Engine . 183
..............
Pressure Indicator . 65, 277
.......
Selecting Proper Viscosity . 232
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 78
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery . 300
............................
Outside Mirrors . 102
....
Outside Temperature Indicator . 68
....................
Overheating, Engine . 275
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 228
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels . 181
Index
M N O
K L
INDEX
V
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Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the . 265
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 295
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 180
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 236
Technical Descriptions
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 295
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 300
....................
Emissions Testing . 303
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels . 181
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter . 301
.................................
Tire Labeling . 297
.......................
Temperature Gauge . 67
.....................
Tether Anchor Points . 45
............................
Thef t Protection . 175
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 302
..........................
Time, Setting the . 174
....................................
Tire Chains . 261
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 267
.........................
Tire Inf ormation . 295
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
................................
(TPMS) . 212
.............................
Indicator . 63, 213
Required Federal
..........................
Explanation . 298
...............................................
Tires . 254
..............................
Air Pressure . 255
.........................
Checking Wear . 256
..........................
Compact Spare . 266
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 295 ..................
High Speed Driving . 256
......................................
Inf lation . 254
..................................
Inspection . 256
..............................
Maintenance . 258
...................................
Replacing . 259
......................................
Rotating . 258
................................
Service Lif e . 257
...........................................
Snow . 261
....................
Specif ications . 260, 294
................................
Tire Chains . 261
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 267
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer . 215
..................
Emergency Towing . 286
...........................
Traction Devices . 261
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 240
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual . 241
..................
Fluid Selection . 240, 241
..............
Identif ication Number . 290
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 202
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 199
...................................
Treadwear . 295
.......................................
Trip Meter . 67 ................................................
Trunk . 86
........................................
Opening . 86
...................
Open Monitor Light . 61
....................................
Turn Signals . 72
................................
Vanity Mirror . 105
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 192
......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 292
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 290
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 264
.................................................
VIN . 290
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 233
Index
U V
VIII
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