The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the maintenance minder (see page
).
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer. Replace the brake f luid according to
the maintenance minder (see page
).
303
303Brake System
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
322
MAX
MIN
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2009 Civic Coupe
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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2009 Civic Coupe
The following charts show the
recommended cold tire pressures f or
most normal driving conditions.We strongly recommend that you do
not drive faster than the posted
speed limits and conditions allow. If
you ever drive in a sanctionedcompetitive 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 additional inf ormation about
your tires, see page .
For convenience, the recommended
tire sizes and cold tire pressures are
on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Thecompactsparetirepressureis: 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.
Tire pressure f or high speed driving
is the same as f or normal driving.
Front/Rear:
379
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure Front/Rear
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure Front/Rear
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure Front/Rear
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure Front/Rear
Si model only Si model only
Except Si model
LX, EX, EX-L Si
DX and Canadian DX-G with automatic
transmission
Canadian DX-G with manual transmission Optional Summer T ire f or U.S. Si
Tires
Recommended Tire Pressures
High Speed Driving
T ire Size·Cold T ire Pressure f or HighSpeed Driving
Maint enance
337
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm) P215/45R17 87V
35 psi (240 kPa , 2.4 kgf/cm
)
215/45ZR17 91W 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2
kgf/cm
)
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2
kgf/cm
)
P215/45R17 87V
P195/65R15 89H 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
P195/65R15 89S 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
P205/55R16 89H 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
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2009 Civic Coupe
´
Tires marked ‘‘M S’’ or ‘‘All
Season’’ on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
Wheels:
Tires:
If your vehicle is equipped with
summer tires, be aware that these
tires are not designed f or winter
driving conditions. For more
inf ormation, consult your dealer.
See page f or inf ormation about
DOT Tire Quality Grading, and page f or tire size and labeling
inf ormation.
DX and Canadian DX-G
Si
Si
LX, EX, EX-L
LX, EX, EX-L
DX and Canadian DX-G with
automatic transmission
Canadian DX-G with manual
transmission
379
381
Si model only
Optional f or U.S. Si
Tires
Winter Driving
Wheel and T ire Specif ications
Summer T ires
342
15x6J
16x61/2J
17x7J P195/65R15 89H
215/45ZR17 91W
P215/45R17 87V
P205/55R16 89H
P195/65R15 89S
(all season tire)
(summer tire)
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2009 Civic Coupe
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors). If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
Disconnect the battery.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic).
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
347
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2009 Civic Coupe
CONT INUED
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area that is
far away from the traffic lanes.
Thesizedifferencemayalsocause
damage to the dif f erential, so do not
mount the compact spare on the
f ront. If either f ront tire goes f lat,
removethereartireonthatsame
side, mount the compact spare tire
on the rear, then mount the rear tire
on the f ront.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.
Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
f loor by lif ting up on the back edge.
Unscrew the wing bolt, and take
the spare tire out of its well.
Take the tool kit case out of the
trunk.
Thecompactsparetireissmaller
than a standard tire, and it will affect
the vehicle’s handling. Drive
cautiously when the spare is
mounted on your vehicle.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
On Si model only
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
351
SPARE TIRETRUNK FLOOR
JACK TOOL CASE
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
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2009 Civic Coupe
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er toon page .
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See
on page .
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page ).
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page .
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .357 370
345
357 78
282
364 370
If theEngineWon’tStart
Starting the
Engine
Emergency T owing
T he Starter Operates Normally Emergency
Towing
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
356
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y
2009 Civic Coupe
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
You cannot start your vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it.
To jump start your vehicle:
Turn of f all the electrical
accessories: heater, A/C, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in neutral (manual)
or Park (automatic), and set the
parking brake.
The numbers in the illustrations
show you the order to connect the
jumper cables.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
357
BOOSTER BATTERY
DX, Canadian DX-G, LX, EX, EX-L
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
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2009 Civic Coupe