2008 HONDA CIVIC engine

µYou may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API certif ication seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the information
display.
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is
pref erred f or improved f uel economy
and year-round protection in your
vehicle. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never
goes below 20°F ( 7°C).
Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle, to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
Si model:
DX, Canadian DX-G, L X, EX, and
EX-L models:
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
235
Ambient Temperature
Ambient Temperature
——

y

y
(+yy

Your vehicle has several identif ying
numbers located in various places.
The vehicle identif ication number
(VIN) is the 17-digit number your
dealer uses to register your vehicle
f or warranty purposes. It is also
necessary f or licensing and insuring
your vehicle. The easiest place to
find the VIN is on a plate fastened to
the top of the dashboard. You can
seeitbylookingthroughthe
windshield on the driver’s side. It is
also on the certification label
attached to the driver’s doorjamb,
and is stamped on the engine
compartment bulkhead. The VIN is
also provided in bar code on the
certif ication label.
To access the VIN in the engine
compartment, slide the lid on the
back of the engine compartment.
Make sure to close the lid bef ore
closing the hood.
Identif ication Numbers
294
CERTIFICATION LABEL
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
LID
——

y
y
(+yy

The engine number is stamped into
the engine block. It is on the f ront.
The transmission number is on a
label on top of the transmission.
Identif ication Numbers
T echnical Inf ormation
295
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
NUMBER
Si
ENGINE NUMBER
ENGINE NUMBER
AUTOMATIC/MANUAL
TRANSMISSION NUMBER
DX, Canadian DX-G, LX, EX, and EX-L
——

y
y
(+yy

(f luid capacities and tire pressures)
(main controls)
(seat belts, SRS, and child protection)
(indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column)
(heating and cooling, audio, steering wheel, security, and cruise contr ol)
(fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading)
(engine and transmission operation)
(minder, f luid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage) (f lat tire, dead battery, overheating, and f uses)
(warranty and contact inf ormation)
(how to order)
(vehicle specif ications, tires, and emissions controls)
Contents
................................................................................................................................................
Index .I
..................................................
Service Inf ormation Summary . last page
...............................................................................................
Your Vehicle at a Glance .3
............................................................
Driver and Passenger Saf ety .5
..........................................
Instruments and Controls .55
.......................................
Features .107
.......................................................................
Bef ore Driving .179
.........................................................................................
Driving .195
.................................................
Maintenance .221
.........................................
T aking Care of the Unexpected .265
..................
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada only) . 305
..................................................................................
A uthorized Manuals (U.S. only) .309
..............................................
T echnical Inf ormation .289INDEX
1
——y

y
(#yy

How to operate the heating and air
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other convenience
f eatures.
A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.
What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uelpump.
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 proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.
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.
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.
Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
Features Bef ore Driving
Driving
T echnical Inf ormation
Warranty and Customer
Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only) Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
T aking Care of the Unexpected
Maintenance
Overview of Contents
2
——y
y
(#yy

After all occupants have adjusted
their seats and head restraints, and
put on their seat belts, it is very
important that they continue to sit
upright, well back in their seats, with
their feet on the floor, until the
vehicle is parked and the engine is
of f .
This could cause
very serious injuries in a crash.
See page f or additional
inf ormation about your seat belts
and how to take care of them. Using a seat
belt that is not working properly can
result in serious injury or death.
Have your dealer check the belt as
soon as possible.
If the seat belt touches or crosses
your neck, or if it crosses your arm
instead of your shoulder, you need to
adjust the seat belt anchor height.
The front seats have adjustable seat
belt anchors. To adjust the height of
an anchor, press and hold the release
button and slide the anchor up or
down as needed (it has f our
positions). If a seat belt does not seem to work
properly, it may not protect the
occupant in a crash.
Sitting improperly can increase the
chance of injury during a crash. For
example, if an occupant slouches,
lies down, turns sideways, sits
forward, leans forward or sideways,
or puts one or both f eet up, the
chance of injury during a crash is
greatly increased.
18
CONT INUED
Protecting A dults and Teens
Maintain a Proper Sitting
Position
6.Never place t he shoulder port ion of a
lap/shoulder belt under your arm orbehind your back.
No one should sit in a seat wit h aninoperat ive seat belt .
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
15
——y
y
(#yy

After all occupants have adjusted
their seats and head restraints, and
put on their seat belts, it is very
important that they continue to sit
upright, well back in their seats, with
their feet on the floor, until the
vehicle is parked and the engine is
of f .
This could cause
very serious injuries in a crash.
See page f or additional
inf ormation about your seat belts
and how to take care of them. Using a seat
belt that is not working properly can
result in serious injury or death.
Have your dealer check the belt as
soon as possible.
If the seat belt touches or crosses
your neck, or if it crosses your arm
instead of your shoulder, you need to
adjust the seat belt anchor height.
The front seats have adjustable seat
belt anchors. To adjust the height of
an anchor, press and hold the release
button and slide the anchor up or
down as needed (it has f our
positions). If a seat belt does not seem to work
properly, it may not protect the
occupant in a crash.
Sitting improperly can increase the
chance of injury during a crash. For
example, if an occupant slouches,
lies down, turns sideways, sits
forward, leans forward or sideways,
or puts one or both f eet up, the
chance of injury during a crash is
greatly increased.
18
CONT INUED
Protecting A dults and Teens
Maintain a Proper Sitting
Position
6.Never place t he shoulder port ion of a
lap/shoulder belt under your arm orbehind your back.
No one should sit in a seat wit h aninoperat ive seat belt .
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
15
——y
y
(#yy

If the impact is on the passenger’s
side, the passenger’s side curtain
airbag will inflate even if there are no
occupants on that side of the vehicle.If the SRS indicator does not come
on after you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
If the indicator stays on after the
engine starts.
If the indicator comes on or
flashesonandoff whileyoudrive.
To get the best protection f rom the
side curtain airbags, occupants
should wear their seat belts and sit
upright and well back in their seats.
If the indicator comes on at any
other time, or does not come on at all,
you should have the system checked
by your dealer. For example:
In a moderate to severe side impact,
sensors will detect rapid acceleration
and signal the control unit to
instantly inflate the side curtain
airbag and activate the seat belt
tensioner on the driver’s or the
passenger’s side of the vehicle. When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, this indicator
comes on f or several seconds then
goes of f . This tells you the system is
working properly.
The SRS indicator alerts you to a
potential problem with your airbags
or seat belt tensioners.
CONT INUED
How Your Side Curtain A irbags
Work
How the SRS Indicator
Works
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
29
SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG
——yy
(#yy