Page 301 of 396
Î
Î
Fluid Locations
Except Si model
298
RADIATOR CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
CLUTCH FLUID
(Manual
Transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap) BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
: Except Canadian DX-G with manual transmission
POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
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2009 Civic Sedan
Page 311 of 396

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth. Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spills immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda Genuine
ATF-Z1 (automatic transmission
f luid).
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2. 3.
4. 5.
1. 2.
T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission
308
DIPSTICK
LOWER
MARK
UPPER
MARK
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Page 312 of 396

If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stif f er shif ting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt, and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt, and tighten it securely.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer. Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The automatic transmission should
be drained and ref illed with new f luid
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
inf ormation display.
6.
CONT INUED
T ransmission Fluid
Manual Transmission
Maint enance
309
FILLER BOLT
Correct LevelFILLER BOLT
Correct Level
Except Si SiUse only Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). Do
not mix with other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Honda
Genuine ATF-Z1 is not covered by the
Honda new vehicle warranty.
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Page 328 of 396
![HONDA CIVIC SEDAN 2009 Owners Manual (in English) If you check air pressures when the
tires are hot [driven f or several miles
(kilometers)], you will see readings 4
to6psi(30to40kPa,0.3to0.4
kgf /cm ) higher than the cold
readings.Thisisnormal.Do HONDA CIVIC SEDAN 2009 Owners Manual (in English) If you check air pressures when the
tires are hot [driven f or several miles
(kilometers)], you will see readings 4
to6psi(30to40kPa,0.3to0.4
kgf /cm ) higher than the cold
readings.Thisisnormal.Do](/manual-img/13/34564/w960_34564-327.png)
If you check air pressures when the
tires are hot [driven f or several miles
(kilometers)], you will see readings 4
to6psi(30to40kPa,0.3to0.4
kgf /cm ) higher than the cold
readings.Thisisnormal.Donotlet
air out to match the recommended
cold air pressure. The tire will be
underinf lated.
Youshouldgetyourowntire
pressure gauge and use it whenever
you check your tire pressures. This
will make it easier f or you to tell if a
pressure loss is due to a tire problem
and not due to a variation between
gauges.
While tubeless tires have some
ability to self -seal if they are
punctured, you should look closely
for punctures if a tire starts losing
pressure.The following charts show the
recommended cold tire pressures f or
most normal driving conditions.
Thecompactsparetirepressureis:
For convenience, the recommended
tire sizes and cold tire pressures are
on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
For additional inf ormation about
your tires, see page .
Optional f or Si
(Si)
(DX, Canadian DX-G with automatic
transmission)
(Canadian DX-G with manual
transmission)
367
(EX-L, U.S. LX, LX-S, EX, Canadian
Sport)
Tire Size
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure
Cold Tire Pressure
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure
Tires
Recommended Tire Pressures
Maint enance
325
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
215/45ZR17 91W P215/45R17 87V
33 psi (230 kPa ,2.3 kgf/cm
)
33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm
)
P195/65R15 89H
30 psi (210 kPa ,2.1 kgf/cm)
P195/65R15 89S 30 psi (210 kPa ,2.1 kgf/cm
)
P205/55R16 89H 32 psi (220 kPa ,2.2 kgf/cm
)
Front/Rear:
Front/Rear: Front/Rear:
Front/Rear:
Front/Rear:
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Wheels:See page f or inf ormation about
DOT Tire Quality Grading, and page
f or tire size and labeling
inf ormation.
Tires: (DX, Canadian DX-G)
(Si)
(Si)
(DX, Canadian DX-G with
automatic transmission)
(all season tire) 367
369
(EX-L, U.S. LX, LX-S, EX,
Canadian Sport)
(EX-L, U.S. LX, LX-S, EX,
Canadian Sport)
(summer tire)
(Canadian DX-G with manual
transmission)
Optional
Wheel and T ire Specif ications
Tires
330
15x6J
215/45ZR17 91W
P215/45R17 87V
P205/55R16 89H
P195/65R15 89S
P195/65R15 89H
17x7J
16x61/2J
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
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Page 337 of 396

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.
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. Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).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.
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. If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles twice).
Pref erably, do this once a month.
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
334
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Page 340 of 396

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.
Take the tool case out of the spare
tire.
Unscrew the wing bolt, and take
the spare tire out of its well.
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 to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
Thecompactsparetireissmaller
than a standard tire, and it will affect
the vehicle’s handling. Drive
cautiously when the spare is
mounted on your vehicle.
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.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
CONT INUED
On Si model only
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
337
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 Sedan
Page 345 of 396

Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. 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 .
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 f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See on page .344
358
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
342
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2009 Civic Sedan