2008 HONDA CIVIC coolant level

If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
237
RADIATOR CAP
Except SiRemoving 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.
——y


y
(#yy

Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.
The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
3.
4. 5.6.
Engine Coolant
238
RADIATOR CAP
RESERVE TANK
RESERVE TANK
Si Except SiSi
——y

y
(#yy

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 (seeon page ).
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 comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
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. Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. 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.
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.
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.
7. 8. 9.
3. 4. 5. 6. 10. 11.
286
185 286
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
276
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.
——y

y
(#y
y

Î
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
——y

y
(#y
y

Î
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
—
—y
y
(#yy