2009 HONDA CIVIC COUPE steering

Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the trunk is f ully
closed. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
1.
2.
14
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
11.
10.
55
93
106 76
Preparing to Drive
Driving
281
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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.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.
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.
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.
On vehicles with vehicle stability
assist (VSA) system, the emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping f orce when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation.
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.
Braking System
Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Driving
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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.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 .
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.
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.’’ 363
You should never pump the brake pedal.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
ABS Indicator
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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.
363
On vehicles with VSA system
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.
Driving
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .302
....................
Maintenance Minder .303
..............................
Fluid Locations .310
........................
Adding Engine Oil .312
.......
Recommended Engine Oil .312
..............................
Synthetic Oil .313
................
Engine Oil Additives .313
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .314
..............................
Engine Coolant .316
....................
Windshield Washers .319
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .320
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .321
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .322
....................
Power Steering Fluid .323
.............................................
Lights .324
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .331
.....................................
Floor Mats .332
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .333
.................................
Wiper Blades .333
...............................................
Tires .335
...................
Checking the Battery .345
.............................
Vehicle Storage .347
395
Maintenance
Maint enance
301
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Ì Ì
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Maintenance Minder
309
:If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Independent of the maintenance minder indicator in the information
display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the center
column on page .
NOTE: :
308
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
Visually inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and line (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
Maintenance Minder
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Fluid Locations
DX, Canadian DX-G, L X, EX, and EX-L models
310
RADIATOR CAP
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
CLUTCH FLUID
(Manual
transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
: Except for Canadian DX-G with manual transmission POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
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Manual Transmission onlyAll models except Si and Canadian DX-Gwith manual transmission
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible. A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
323
MAX
MIN UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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