This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .56
............................
Instrument Panel .57
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .59
.............................................
Gauges .66
.....................................
Odometer .66
..............
Display Change Button .66
...................................
Trip Meter .67
..................................
Fuel Gauge .67
...................
Temperature Gauge .67
Outside Temperature
...................................
Indicator .68
..........
Check Fuel Cap Message .68
..................
Maintenance Minder .69
Controls Near the Steering ...........................................
Wheel .70
.
Windshield Wipers and Washers .71
.........
Turn Signals and Headlights .72
............
Daytime Running Lights .73
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .73
.................
Hazard Warning Button .74
.................
Rear Window Def ogger .74
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment .75
...............................
Keys and Locks .76
........................
Immobilizer System .77
................................
Ignition Switch .78 ......................................
Door Locks .79
......................
Power Door Locks .80
..............
Childproof Door Locks .80
.
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .81
.....................
Auto Door Locking .81
.................
Auto Door Unlocking .83
................................................
Trunk .86
........
Emergency Trunk Opener .87
.......................
Remote Transmitter .88
.................................................
Seats .91
....................................
Seat Heaters .98
..............................
Power Windows .99
.......................................
Moonroof .100
...........................................
Mirrors .102
...............................
Parking Brake .103
...............................
Interior Lights .104
.........
Interior Convenience Items .105
.....................
Beverage Holders .106
.........
Accessory Power Socket .106
..................................
Glove Box .106
.............
Console Compartment .106
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
55
——yy
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or Canadian models are noted in the text.
Canadian DX-G model with M/T has the electric power steering (EPS) indicator (see page62)next to the immobilizer system indicator.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
DX, DX-G (Canada), L X, EX, EX-L
57
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
(P.63) (P.64)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR CRUISE MAIN
INDICATOR SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.65)
(P.64)
(P.64)
(P.60)
CHARGING
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.65, 277)
(P.65, 277) (P.59)
(P.61) DAYTIME
RUNNING
LIGHTS
INDICATOR
TRUNK-OPEN
INDICATOR(P.61)
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR
DOOR-OPEN
INDICATOR (P.61)
SIDE AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
(P.60)
LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
(P.61)HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR
(P.61) SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.60)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (P.65, 278) MAINTENANCE MINDER INDICATOR(P.65, 223)(P.63)
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
(P.60)
(P.59)
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR
TIRE PRESSURE
MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) INDICATOR
—
—y
y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instrument Panel
Si
58
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
(P.64)
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR
(P.62)
(P.61)(P.62)
(P.64)
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
(P.60)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATORCRUISE MAIN
INDICATOR
(P.64)
LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR
(P.61)(P.60) SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.60)
TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
DAYTIME RUNNING
LIGHTS INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
(VSA) SYSTEM INDICATOR
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
(EPS) INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.62)
(P.65, 277)
(P.65, 277) (P.65, 278)(P.65, 223) (P.61)
(P.61)
(P.63)(P.63)
(P.60) (P.61)
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR (P.65)REV LIMIT INDICATOR (P.64)
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATORDOOR-OPEN INDICATOR (P.59)
SIDE AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.59)
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS) INDICATOR
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR
——y
y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan
This indicator has two f unctions:Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. A beeper
sounds if you drive with the
parking brake not f ully released.
Driving with the parking brake not
fully released can damage the
brakes and tires.
If it stays on after you have fully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the brake
system. For more inf ormation, see
page .
The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle.
If your f ront passenger does not
f asten their seat belt, the indicator
comes on about 6 seconds af ter the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position. This indicator reminds you and your
passengers to f asten your seat belts.
If either of you do not f asten your
seat belt while driving, the beeper
will sound and the indicator will f lash
again at regular intervals. For more
inf ormation, see page . If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position bef ore f astening
your seat belt, the beeper sounds,
and the indicator f lashes. If you do
notfastenyourseatbeltbeforethe
beeper stops, the indicator stops
f lashing but remains on.1.
2.
18 279Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
59
U.S. Canada
——yy
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan
When you press the hazard warning
button, both turn signal indicators
and all turn signals on the outside of
the vehicle f lash.If this indicator comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position and the parking brake is
released, it means there is a problem
in the circuit. Have your vehicle
checked by your dealer.
This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator also comes on with
reduced brightness when the
daytime running lights (DRL) are on
(see page ).This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or position. If you turn the
ignition switch to the ACCESSORY
(I) or the LOCK (0) position without
turning of f the light switch, this
indicator will remain on. A reminder
chime will also sound when you open
the driver’s door and remove the key
from the ignition switch.
The lef t or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If an indicator does not blink
or blinks rapidly, it usually means
one of the turn signal bulbs is
burned out (see pages and ).
Replace the bulb as soon as possible,
since other drivers cannot see that
you are signaling.
This indicator comes on if the trunk
lid is not closed tightly.
This indicator comes on if any door
is not closed tightly.
247
246
72
73
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Lights On Indicator
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Trunk-open Indicator
Door-open Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
——yy
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan
´µ
The buttons under the lef t side vent
control the brightness of the
instrument panel. Push the or
button to adjust the brightness.
Separate adjustments can be made
when the headlights are on and of f .
With the headlight switch of f or
position, the high beam
headlights come on with reduced
brightness when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and release the parking
brake. They remain on until you turn
the ignition switch of f , even if you
set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
There are six brightness levels.
When you push either button, the
inf ormation display indicates the
current level. You will hear a tonewhen you reach the maximum or
minimum brightness. The display
returns to the odometer 5 seconds
af ter you stop adjusting the
brightness.
To reduce glare at night, the
instrument panel illumination dims
when you turn the light switch to the
or position.
The center of each meter (upper and
lower) illuminates with reduced
brightness when you unlock and
open the driver’s door, and then goes
back to the selected brightness when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position.
If you insert the key but do not turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, the illumination turns of f in
about 10 seconds.
Daytime Running L ights Instrument Panel Brightness
Headlights, Instrument Panel Brightness
Inst rument s and Cont rols
73
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
CONTROL BUTTONS
——y
y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan
CONT INUED
The auto door locking f eature has
three possible settings:The doors lock when the vehicle
speed reaches 9 mph (15 km/h). The doors lock whenever you
move the shift lever out of the
Park (P) position (A/T vehicles). The auto door locking is
deactivated all the time.
This is the def ault setting. Make sure the shif t lever is in the
Park (P) position (A/T vehicles).
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and open the driver’s
door.
Your vehicle has customizable
settings f or the doors to
automatically lock and unlock. There
are default settings for each of these
f eatures. You can turn of f or change
the settings for these features as
described on the f ollowing pages.
When you customize the setting,
make sure your vehicle is parked
saf ely, the engine is of f , and apply
the parking brake. Make all settings
bef ore you start driving. 1.
2.On all models except DX
Door L ocks
A uto Door L ocking/Unlocking A uto Door L ockingT o t urn of f t he A ut o Door L ockmodes:
Inst rument s and Cont rols
81
——yy
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan
To apply the parking brake, pull the
lever up f ully. To release it, pull up
slightly, push the button, and lower
the lever. The parking brake
indicator on the instrument panel
should go out when the parking
brake is f ully released (see page ).
The outside mirrors are heated to
remove fog and frost. With the
ignition switch in the ON (II)
position, turn on the heaters by
pressing the button. The indicator in
the button comes on as a reminder.
Press the button again to turn the
heaters off. Pressing this button also
turns the rear window def ogger on
and off. 59On All EX-L, Canadian LX, EX, and Si
models
Parking Brake
Heated Mirrors
Mirrors, Parking Brake
Inst rument s and Cont rols
103
PARKING BRAKE LEVER
HEATED MIRROR BUTTON
Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake applied can damage the rear
brakes and axles. A beeper will sound
if the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake on.
——yy
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan