2008 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN ABS

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
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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
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This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, there is a problem with the
ABS. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked at a dealer. With
this indicator on, your vehicle still
has normal braking ability but no
anti-lock f unction. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on f or several
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags. This indicator will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system,
side curtain airbags, automatic seat
belt tensioners, driver’s seat position
sensor, or the f ront passenger’s
weight sensors. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on brief ly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink,
and the engine’s f uel system will be
disabled (see page ).
This indicator comes on f or several
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For more inf ormation, see page .77
29
20830
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator Side Airbag Of f
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
60
U.S. Canada
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´
Inside the transmitter, separate
the inner cover f rom the keypad
by releasing the two tabs on the
cover. Remove the old battery from the
back of the inner cover, and note
the polarity. Make sure the
polarity of the new battery is the
same ( side f acing down), then
insert it into the back of the cover.
An improperly disposed of battery
can hurt the environment.
Always conf irm local regulations
for battery disposal.
Install the parts in reverse order.
3. 4.
5.
As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Remote Transmitter
90
TAB
BATTERY
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2008 Civic Sedan

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
the braking system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system, the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer.........................
Driving Guidelines .196
........................
Preparing to Drive .197
.......................
Starting the Engine .198
...................
Manual Transmission .199
..............
Automatic Transmission .202
...........................................
Parking .206
.............................
Braking System .207
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .208
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .210
Tire Pressure Monitoring ........................
System (TPMS) .212
...........................
Towing a Trailer .215
Driving
Driving
195
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Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Your vehicle is equipped with f ront
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels may be disc or drum,
depending on the model. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, f uel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, conf using
drivers behind you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear. Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving
207
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The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the f ront-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
If the indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page .
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’ 279
You should never pump the brake pedal.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
ABS Indicator
208
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on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.
The VSA indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicator.
279
On vehicles with VSA system
A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle. Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
209
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