2008 HONDA CIVIC Owners Manual

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
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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
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The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Saf ety Requirements.
All tires are also graded f or
treadwear, traction, and temperature
perf ormance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The f ollowing
explains these gradings.
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate.The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
All passenger car tires must conf orm
to Federal Saf ety Requirements in
addition to these grades. Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A T readwear T raction
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
T echnical Inf ormation
299
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T his owner’s manual covers all models of
the Civic 4-door. You may f ind descriptions
of equipment and f eatures that are not on
your particular model.
T he inf ormation and specif ications included
in this publication were in ef f ect at the time
of approval f or printing. Honda Motor Co.,
Ltd. reserves the right, however, to
discontinue or change specif ications or
design at any time without notice and
without incurring any obligation whatsoever.
T his owner’s manual should be considered
a permanent part of the vehicle and should
remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
Owner’s Identif ication
POUR CLIENTS CANADIEN
A VIS IMPORT A NT : Si vous avez
besoin d’un Manuel du Conduct eur
en f rançais, veuillez demander à
votreconcessionnairede
commander le numéro de pièce
33SNAC21
OWNER ADDRESS
V. I. N.
DELIVERY DATE
DEALER NAME DEALER NO. ADDRESS
OWNER’S SIGNATURE
DEALER’S SIGNATURE
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/ POSTAL CODE
(Date sold to original retail purchaser)
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/ POSTAL CODE
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Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your vehicle, other
property, or the environment.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the maintenance minder shown in the
instrument panel helps to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves
your investment. When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that
your dealer’s staf f is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique
to your vehicle. Your dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be
pleased to answer any questions and concerns.
Congratulations! Your selection of a 2008 Honda Civic was a wise investmen
t.
It will give you years of driving pleasure.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
youcanrefertoitatanytime.
Introduction
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Calif ornia Proposition 65 WarningThis product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of Calif ornia to cause cancer and birth
def ects or other reproductive harm.
Event Data Recorders
This data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by anyone else
except as legally required or with the permission of the vehicle owner.
Service Diagnostic Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record inf ormati on about powertrain perf ormance. The data
can be used to verif y emissions law requirements and/or help technicians diagnose and solve ser vice problems. It may
also be combined with data f rom other sources f or research purposes, but it remains conf i dential.
Introduction
WARNING:
This vehicle is equipped with one or more devices commonly ref erred to as event data recorders. These
devices record f ront seat belt use, f ront passenger seat occupancy, air bag deployment data, and the f ailure
of any airbag system component.
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To help you make inf ormed
decisions about saf ety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other inf ormation on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others. You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
These signal words mean:
such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions. such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully.
Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement.
on the vehicle.
Saf ety Messages
Saf ety Headings
Saf ety Section
Instructions
Saf ety L abels
AFewWordsAboutSafety
DANGER WARNING CAUTION
iii
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.
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(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
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