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Maintenance Minder
229
:See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Independent of the maintenance minder display, replace the brake fluid
every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
NOTE: 228
1:
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
51
1
Maintenance Minder
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2008 Civic Sedan
To saf ely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inf lated.
The f ollowing pages give more
detailed inf ormation on how to take
care of your tires and what to do
when they need to be replaced.Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort.
Underinf lated tires wear unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to
fail from being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your
vehicleridemoreharshly,are
more prone to damage f rom road
hazards, and wear unevenly.
Thetirepressuremonitoringsystem
(TPMS) warns you when a tire
pressure is low. See page f or
more inf ormation.
Even though your vehicle is
equipped with TPMS, we
recommend that you visually check
your tires every day. If you think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure in each tire at least once a
month. Even tires that are in good
condition may lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf /cm ) per
month. Remember to check the
sparetireatthesametime.
Check the air pressures when the
tires are cold. This means the
vehicle has been parked f or at least 3
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6
km). Add or release air, if needed, to
match the recommended cold tire
pressures.
212
On U.S. models On Canadian models
Tires
Inf lation Guidelines
254
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.
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If you check air pressures when the
tires are hot [driven f or several miles
(kilometers)], you will see readings 4
to6psi(30to40kPa,0.3to0.4
kgf /cm ) higher than the cold
readings.Thisisnormal.Donotlet
air out to match the recommended
cold air pressure. The tire will be
underinf lated.
Youshouldgetyourowntire
pressure gauge and use it whenever
you check your tire pressures. This
will make it easier f or you to tell if a
pressure loss is due to a tire problem
and not due to a variation between
gauges.
While tubeless tires have some
ability to self -seal if they are
punctured, you should look closely
for punctures if a tire starts losing
pressure.The following charts show the
recommended cold tire pressures f or
most normal driving conditions.
Thecompactsparetirepressureis:
For convenience, the recommended
tire sizes and cold tire pressures are
on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
For additional inf ormation about
your tires, see page . Optional f or Si
(LX, EX, EX-L) (Si)
(DX, Canadian DX-G with automatic
transmission)
295
(Canadian DX-G with manual
transmission)
Tire Size Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure
Cold Tire Pressure
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure
Tires
Recommended Tire Pressures
Maint enance
255
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
215/45ZR17 91W P215/45R17 87V
33 psi (230 kPa ,2.3 kgf/cm
)
33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm
)
P195/65R15 89H
30 psi (210 kPa ,2.1 kgf/cm)
P205/55R16 89H 32 psi (220 kPa ,2.2 kgf/cm
)
P195/65R15 89S
30 psi (210 kPa ,2.1 kgf/cm
)
Front/Rear:
Front/Rear: Front/Rear:
Front/Rear:
Front/Rear:
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Every time you check inf lation, you
should also examine the tires for
damage, f oreign objects, and wear.
Youshouldlookfor:Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
youfindeitherof theseconditions.
Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see f abric or cord.
Excessive tread wear.
Tire pressure f or high-speed driving
is the same as f or normal driving.
When you return to normal speed
driving, be sure to readjust the tire
pressure f or normal driving. You
should wait until the tires are cold
bef ore adjusting the tire pressure.
We strongly recommend that you do
not drive faster than the posted
speed limits and conditions allow. If
you ever drive in a sanctioned
competitive event at sustained high
speeds (over 118 mph or 190 km/h),
be sure to adjust the cold tire
pressuresasshownbelow.If youdo
not, excessive heat can build up and
cause sudden tire f ailure.
For convenience, the recommended
cold air pressures and tire sizes are
on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
For additional inf ormation about
your tires, see page . Front/Rear:
295
Si model onlyExcept Si model
Si model only
Tires
Tire Inspection
Tire Size·Cold Tire Pressure f or
High Speed Driving
High Speed Driving
256
P215/45R17 87V
35 psi (240 kPa , 2.4 kgf/cm
)
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If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn of f as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible.
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage. If your vehicle’s battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It can take several
days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message on
the inf ormation display. Tighten the
cap until it clicks at least once.
Tightening the cap will not turn the
indicator of f immediately; it can take
several days of normal driving. To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malf unction indicator lamp will
come on f or 20 seconds. If it then
goes of f , the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks f ive times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle f or an emissions
test until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to for
more information (see page ).
303
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Readiness Codes
Emissions T esting
278
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.
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2008 Civic Sedan
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (seeon page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully. If the ABS indicator comes on with
the brake system indicator, have
your vehicle inspected by your
dealer immediately.
The brake system indicator normally
comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position and as
a reminder to check the parking
brake. It will stay on if you do not
f ully release the parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. 286
242
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
279
Canada
U.S.
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2008 Civic Sedan
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Specif ications
Technical 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
High
Low
A/T
M/T
A/T
M/T
Change
Total
U.S. Vehicles
Canada
Vehicles Approx.
1:
2:
3:
4: Except Si
Si Change
Including filter
Without filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
13 3
4
3
3
4
3
4
3
4
3
4
3
4
3
4
2
3
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Î
ÎThe 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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