2008 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN cooling

2008 Civic Sedan Online Reference Owner's Manual

Refer to 2008 Civic GX Supplement for topics specific to the Civic GX. Contents

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction .............................................................................................................................\
............................. i

A Few Words About Safety ......................................................................\
........................................................ iii
Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) ....................................................\
................................................ 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) ......................\
.............................. 5
Instruments and Controls (indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column) ................................ 55
Features (heating and cooling, audio, steering wheel, security, and cru\
ise control) ............................ 107
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break- in, and cargo loading) ................\
..................................................... 179
Driving (engine and transmission operation) .........................................\
....................................................... 195
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)........................................... 221
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, and fuses) ............................. 265
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 289
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 305
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ..............................................\
........................................... 309
Index ......................................................................\
......................................................... ........................................ I

Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
\
\
1 00X31-SNA-6210

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CONT INUED: If equipped
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHESGAUGES
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE HANDLETRUNK RELEASE
HANDLE
DRIVER’S FRONT
AIRBAG
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS
AUDIO SYSTEMMOONROOF SWITCH PASSENGER’S FRONT AIRBAG
(P.57)
(P.66)
(P.9,24)
(P.80) MIRROR CONTROLS
(P.181) (P.9,30)
(P.108)
(P.199)
(P.112)
Vehicle with navigation system is shown. DOOR LOCK TAB
(P.79)
ACCESSORY
POWER SOCKET
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(P.202)
MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
(P.102)
(P.99) (P.86) (P.106)
(P.100)
AUXILIARY INPUT JACK SEAT HEATER SWITCHES
(P.172)(P.98)
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Your vehicle’s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. Carbon
monoxide should not enter the
vehicle in normal driving if you
maintain your vehicle properly and
f ollow the inf ormation on this page.High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.If you must sit in your parked vehicle
with the engine running, even in an
unconf ined area, adjust the heating
and cooling system as f ollows:
Select the f resh air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
With the trunk open, airf low can pull
exhaust gas into your vehicle’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk open, open all the windows,
and set the heating and cooling
system as shown below.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the
underside. 1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
51
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
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Î If equipped
:
Control L ocations
56
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES AUDIO SYSTEM
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH MOONROOF SWITCH
INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS
ACCESSORY
POWER
SOCKET
DOOR LOCK TAB
GAUGES
(P.57)
(P.66)
(P.80) (P.79)
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P.108)
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE HANDLE
(P.181) TRUNK RELEASE
HANDLE
Vehicle with navigation system is shown. AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(P.202)
MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
(P.199)
(P.112)
(P.100)
(P.102)
(P.99) (P.86) (P.106)
SEAT HEATER SWITCHES
(P.98)
AUXILIARY INPUT JACK
(P.172)
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Each trip meter works independently,
so you can keep track of two
dif f erent distances. There are two trip meters: TRIP A
and TRIP B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the SEL/
RESET button repeatedly.This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the SEL/RESET
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0.’’ This meter shows the number of
miles or kilometers driven since you
last reset it. This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the reading should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, such as
very hot weather or a long period of
uphill driving, the reading may rise
into the upper half of the gauge. If it
reaches the red (Hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. See
page f or instructions and
precautions on checking the engine
cooling system.275
Trip Meter Fuel Gauge Temperature Gauge
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
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The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep this
area clear of leaves and other debris.
Thesystemshouldbeleftinfresh
air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to recirculation mode when
driving through dusty or smoky
conditions, then return to fresh air
mode.
This button turns the rear window
def ogger of f and on (see page ).
Use the mode control buttons to
select the vents air flows from. Some
air will f low f rom the dashboard
corner vents in all modes.Air flows from the center
and corner vents in the dashboard.
Airf low is divided between
the vents in the dashboard and the
f loor vents.
Air f lows f rom the f loor
vents. When you select , the
system automatically switches to
f resh air mode.
Airf low is divided between
the f loor vents and def roster vents at
the base of the windshield.
Air f lows f rom the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield.
When you select or ,
the system automatically switches to
f resh air mode and turns on the A/C
(if equipped). The system automatically
turns on the A/C, selects , and
switches to recirculation mode. Each
indicatorinthebuttonisonwhen
the MAX A/C is turned on.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the rear side
panels.
Set the temperature to the lower
limit.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
74
If equipped
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Rear Window Def ogger Button
Mode Control MAX A/C Button
Ventilation
Features
109
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When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension,
cooling system, and lights are in
good operating condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ).
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
215 216
bottom
Pre-T ow ChecklistBacking Up
Parking
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Towing a Trailer
Driving
219
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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.
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