2008 HONDA CIVIC Engine light

Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page).
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
This indicator should never come on
when the engine is running. If it
starts flashing or stays on, the oil
pressure has dropped very low or
lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action. If the charging system indicator
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, the battery is not being
charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1. 2. 3. 4.
183
232
286 Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
277
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation
293
Air Conditioning
Lights
Capacities
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant oil typeHFC-134a (R-134a)
14.1 15.9 oz (400 450 g)
SP-10
Headlights
Front turn signal/side marker/
Parking lights
Rear turn signal lights
Stop/Taillights
Rear side marker lights
Back-up lights
Taillights
High-mount brake light
License plate lights
Ceiling light
Spotlights
Trunk light 12 V 60 W (HB3)
12 V 51 W (HB4)
12 V 21/5 W
12 V 21 W
12 V 21/5 W
12 V 2 CP
12 V 21 W
12 V 3 CP
12 V 21 W
12 V 5 W
12 V 8 W
12 V 8 W
12 V 5 W
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
1.8 US qt (1.7
)
1.6 US qt (1.5
)
1.19 US gal (4.5
)
1.80 US gal (6.8
)
4.6 US qt (4.4
)
4.4 US qt (4.2
)
5.8 US qt (5.5
)
6.2 US qt (5.9
)
2.5 US qt (2.4)
1.40 US gal (5.3
)
1.77 US gal (6.7
)
2.6 US qt (2.5
)
1.7 US qt (1.6
)
1.5 US qt (1.4
)
1.37 US gal (5.2
)
1.72 US gal (6.5
)
3.9 US qt (3.7
)
3.7 US qt (3.5
)
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
13.2 US gal (50
)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine
Reserve tank capacity: 0.11 US gal (0.4
)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil Manual
transmission
fluid Automatic
transmission
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
HighLow
A/T
M/T
A/T
M/T
Change Total
U.S. Vehicles
Canada
Vehicles Approx.
1: 2: 3:4: Except SiSi Change
Including filter
Without filter
Total
ChangeTotal
Change Total
13 34334
3434343434
2
3
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The burning of gasoline in your
vehicle’s engine produces several by-
products. Some of these are carbon
monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen
(NOx), and hydrocarbons (HC).
Gasoline evaporating f rom the tank
also produces hydrocarbons. Con-
trolling the production of NOx, CO,
and HC is important to the environ-
ment. Under certain conditions of
sunlight and climate, NOx and HC
react to f orm photochemical ‘‘smog.’’
Carbon monoxide does not contri-
bute to smog creation, but it is a
poisonous gas. The United States Clean Air Act
sets standards f or automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
workandwhattodotomaintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
In Canada, Honda vehicles comply
with the Canadian emission
requirements, as specif ied in an
agreement with Environment
Canada, at the time they are
manuf actured.
Your vehicle has a positive
crankcase ventilation system. This
keeps gasses that build up in the
engine’s crankcase f rom going into
the atmosphere. The positive
crankcase ventilation valve routes
them from the crankcase back to the intake manif old. They are then
drawn into the engine and burned.
The onboard ref ueling vapor
recovery (ORVR) system captures
the f uel vapors during ref ueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
f illed with activated carbon. While
driving, the f uel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned of f .
As gasoline evaporates in the f uel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister f illed with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is of f . Af ter
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
The Clean Air Act
Crankcase Emissions Control
System
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery
Evaporative Emissions Control
System
Emissions Cont rols
300
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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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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
II
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.................................................
Fuel . 180
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 181
...........................................
Gauge . 67
................
Octane Requirement . 180
...............................
Oxygenated . 181
........................
Reserve Indicator . 64
........................
Tank, Filling the . 181
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 280
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 268
.......................................
Jack, Tire . 267
................................
Jump Starting . 273
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 186
.........................................
Gasoline . 180
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 64
...........................................
Gauge . 67
................
Octane Requirement . 180
........................
Tank, Filling the . 181
................
Gas Station Procedures . 181
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 67
...............................................
Fuel . 67
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 202
..............
Manual Transmission . 199
......................................
Glove Box . 106 .............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 244
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 74
Headlights
........................................
Aiming . 244
............
Daytime Running Lights . 73
..................
High Beam Indicator . 61
........................
Reminder Beeper . 72
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 244
...................................
Turning on . 72
..............................
Head Restraints . 92
.............................
Heated Mirrors . 103
.....................
Heating and Cooling . 108
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 198
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 72
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 249
.......................
Hood, Opening the . 182
..............................................
Horn .4,70
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 290
Ignition
..............................................
Keys . 76
...........................................
Switch . 78 ............
Timing Control System . 301
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 59
...............................
Inf ant Restraint . 38
Inf ant Seats
.............
LATCH Anchor System . 42
...........................
Lower Anchors . 42
................
Tether Anchor Points . 45
Inf lation, Recommended Tire ...................................
Pressures . 255
........................
Inf ormation Display . 66
.................................
Inside Mirror . 102
.............................
Inspection, Tire . 256
............................
Instrument Panel . 57
................
Instrument Panel Lights . 59
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 73
..............
Instruments and Controls . 55
...............................
Interior Lights . 104
........................................
Introduction . i
Index
H I
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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
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