2009 HONDA CIVIC COUPE emergency towing

Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
370
Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle
Driving
299
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2009 Civic Coupe

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .350
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .351
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .355
................................
Jump Starting .357
..............
If the Engine Overheats .359
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .361
..........
Charging System Indicator .361
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .362
...............
Brake System Indicator .363
..............................................
Fuses .364
..............................
Fuse Locations .368
......................
Emergency Towing .370
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
349
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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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2009 Civic Coupe

Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
). Add coolant if the level is
below the MIN mark.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge, or lower,
bef ore checking the radiator.
7.
8.
9.3.
4.
5.
6.
10.
11.370
269
370
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
360
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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2009 Civic Coupe

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.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
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 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.
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 ). 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 ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator (if equipped) come
on with the brake system indicator,
have your vehicle inspected by your
dealer immediately.
322 370Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
363
Canada
U.S.
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2009 Civic Coupe

µµ If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do this:
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle:
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the f ront tires and lif t them of f
the ground. The rear tires remain on
the ground. Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to neutral.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Do not tie down the vehicle at an
angle that would allow the towing
cables to contact the vehicle’s f ront
bumper. To avoid possible damage,
protect the f ront bumper with tape.
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
do not tow the vehicle more than 50
miles (80 km), and keep the speed
below35mph(55km/h).
If your vehicle is equipped with a
f ront spoiler, remove it bef ore
towing so it is not damaged.
Start the engine.
Press on the brake pedal. Move
the shif t lever through all its
positions.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Release the parking brake.
Turn of f the engine.
Shif t to D position f or 5 seconds,
then to N.
Manual transmission:
Automatic transmission:
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment
T his is the best way to
transport your vehicle.
This is an acceptable
way to tow your vehicle.
Emergency Towing
370
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
vehicle must be transported with the
f ront wheels of f the ground.
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2009 Civic Coupe

Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
371
Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns f reely bef ore you begin
towing.
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2009 Civic Coupe

Î
CONT INUED
............................
Disc Player .132,170
..................
Display Change Button .66
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .316
Doors
.
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .82
..............
Locking and Unlocking .80
......................
Power Door Locks .81
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .379
Downshif ting, Manual
.............................
Transmission .283
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .279
....................................
Economy .270
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .333
..............................
Economy, Fuel .270
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
.......................................
Indicator .60
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ........................................
System .294
..................................
Emergencies .349
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .357
...........
Brake System Indicator .363
................
Changing a Flat Tire .351 .....
Charging System Indicator .361
..................
Checking the Fuses .364
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .75
............................
Jump Starting .357
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .361
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .362
..................
Overheated Engine .359
.......................................
Towing .370
.........................
Emergency Brake .107
......................
Emergency Flashers .75
......................
Emergency Towing .370
............
Emergency Trunk Opener .92
.......................
Emissions Controls .385
........................
Emissions Testing .388
Engine
............
Adding Engine Coolant .316
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .68
.........................
If It Won’t Start .355
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .57,362
.......................
Oil Lif e Indicator .303
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .57,361
.............................
Oil, Synthetic .313
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .312
...............................
Overheating .359
............................
Specif ications .376 ....................
Speed Limiter .285,288
.......................................
Starting .282
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .265
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .385
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .50
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .16
....................................
Fan Control .117
.........................................
Features .115
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .265
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .333
...............................................
Oil .314
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .75
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .351
.....................................
Floor Mats .332
Index
E F
INDEX
III
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2009 Civic Coupe