2008 HONDA CIVIC Owners Manual

If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it f inds that a saf ety def ect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may
order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
If you believe that your vehicle has a
def ect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inf orm the
National Highway Traf f ic Saf ety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the
VehicleSafetyHotlinetoll-freeat1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
You can also obtain other
inf ormation about motor vehicle
safety from .
Reporting Saf ety Def ects (U.S. Vehicles)
308
http://www.saf ercar.gov
http://www.saf ercar.gov
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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
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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
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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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