2009 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN maintenance

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
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATORCRUISE MAIN
INDICATOR
LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR
TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
(VSA) SYSTEM INDICATOR
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
(EPS) INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR REV LIMIT INDICATOR
DOOR-OPEN INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS) INDICATOR
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR
DAYTIME
RUNNING LIGHTS
INDICATOR FOG LIGHT
INDICATOR (P.65)(P.64)
(P.60)
(P.62)
(P.61)
(P.61) (P.62)
(P.64) (P.62)
(P.65,349)
(P.65,349) (P.65,291)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (P.65,350) (P.64)
(P.60)(P.63)
(P.59)
(P.61)
(P.61) (P.60)
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR (P.59)(P.63)
(P.64)
(P.60)
(P.61)
(P.61)
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2009 Civic Sedan

See page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more information, see page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more inf ormation,
see page .
This indicator comes on when the
security system is set. See page
f or more inf ormation on the
security system.
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance. The
maintenance main items and sub
items will be displayed in the
inf ormation display. See page f or
more inf ormation on the
maintenance minder.
This indicator goes of f when your
dealer resets it after completing the
required maintenance service.
291
207 350
349
349
If equipped
Instrument Panel Indicators
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Security System Indicator
Maintenance Minder
Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
65
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR Si
Except Si
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2009 Civic Sedan

To switch the information display
between the odometer, trip meter,
outside temperature (if equipped),
and engine oil lif e and maintenance
item code(s), press the SEL/RESET
button repeatedly.
This shows the total distance your
vehicle has been driven. It measures
miles or kilometers.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
CONT INUED
Gauges
Odomet er
Inf ormation Display
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
U.S. model without outside temperature indicator is shown.ODOMETER
ODOMETER TRIP METER A
TRIP METER B
ENGINE OIL LIFE
TRIP METER A
U.S. model with outside temperature indicator is shown. ENGINE OIL LIFEOUTSIDE
TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR
TRIP METER B
: Press the SEL/
RESET button.
: Press the SEL/ RESET button.
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2009 Civic Sedan

Your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The f irst time a leak is detected
a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
appears on the information display.
Turn the engine of f , and conf irm the
f uel f ill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the f uel f ill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the SEL/RESET
button. The ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’
message will appear each time you
restart the engine until the system
turns the message of f .If the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malf unction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the f uel f ill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
The inf ormation display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil lif e and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
inf ormation helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs f or continued trouble-
f ree driving. Ref er to page f or
more inf ormation.
291
350
Gauges
Check Fuel Cap Message Maint enance Minder
Inst rument s and Cont rols
69
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2009 Civic Sedan

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time. We recommend using quality
gasolines containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer f or service.
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy, metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause occasional metallic knocking
noises in the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance. Use
of a gasoline with a pump octane
number less than 87 can lead to
engine damage.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Do not tow a trailer.
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
A ll models except Si
Si model only
248
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2009 Civic Sedan

Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
304 296
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Engine Coolant Check
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
253
MAX
MIN
MAX
MIN
Except Si Si
RESERVE TANK
RESERVE TANK
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2009 Civic Sedan

µµ
µ µ
µ
µµ
Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
An underinf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
296
CONT INUED
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors Use the recommended viscosity motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page
).
Improving Fuel Economy Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Drive moderately
Observe the speed limit
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Avoid excessive idling
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
300
Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Bef ore Driving
255
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2009 Civic Sedan

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 .290
....................
Maintenance Minder .291
..............................
Fluid Locations .298
........................
Adding Engine Oil .300
Changing the Engine Oil
....................................
and Filter .302
..............................
Engine Coolant .304
....................
Windshield Washers .307
.......................
Transmission Fluid .308
..........
Automatic Transmission .308
..............
Manual Transmission .309
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .310
....................
Power Steering Fluid .311
.............................................
Lights .312
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .319
.....................................
Floor Mats .320
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .320
.................................
Wiper Blades .321
...........................................
Wheels .323
...............................................
Tires .324
...................
Checking the Battery .332
.............................
Vehicle Storage .334
381
Maintenance
Maint enance
289
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2009 Civic Sedan