2008 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN check oil

Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection.
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not f ill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on the valve cover. Pour in
the oil slowly and caref ully so you do
not spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
232
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
Except Si Si
——y



y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan

Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.Refill the engine with the
recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine, and check your work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Make sure to clean of f any dirt
and dust on the connecting
surf ace of a new oil f ilter.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
Make sure the oil f ilter gasket is
not stuck to the engine block. If it
is, remove it bef ore installing a
new oil f ilter.
5. 6.
7.
8.
3. 4. Except Si
Si
CONT INUED
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
235
OIL FILTER
Except Si Si
3.9 US qt (3.7)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m) 4.6 US qt (4.4
)
——y

y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan

Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
9.
A dding Engine Coolant
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
236
RESERVE TANK RESERVE TANK
Si
Except Si
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
——y

y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stif f er shif ting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt, and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt, and tighten it securely.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer. Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The automatic transmission should
be drained and ref illed with new f luid
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
inf ormation display. 6.
CONT INUED
Manual Transmission Fluid
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
241
FILLER BOLT
Correct LevelFILLER BOLT
Correct Level
Except Si SiUse only Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). Do
not mix with other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Honda
Genuine ATF-Z1 is not covered by the
Honda new vehicle warranty.
——y

y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan

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.
——y

y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan

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
I
—
—y
y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

Î
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
—
—y
y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

Î
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 .303
Engine
....
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
III
——y

y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan