2009 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN steering wheel

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
\f—\f—\fy

y
(#\fy\fy
2009 Civic Sedan

Manual Transmission only All 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. 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.
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.
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.
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
311
LOWER LEVEL
UPPER LEVEL
MAX
MIN
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
\f—\f—\fy

y
(#\fy\f
y
2009 Civic Sedan

If youreplacedaheadlightbulbon
the driver’s side, reinstall the
engine coolant reserve tank. To change the bulb on the driver’sside, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
right, then turn off the engine. To
change the bulb on the passenger’s
side, turn the steering wheel to the
lef t.
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the two holding clips f rom
the inner f ender, and pull the inner
f ender cover back.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise. Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
2.
3.
2.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1.
CONT INUED
Lights
L ow Beam Headlight
Maint enance
313
TAB HOLDING CLIP
BULB
\f—\f—\fy

\fy
(#\fy\f
y
2009 Civic Sedan

To change the bulb on the driver’s
side, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
right, then turn off the engine. To
change the bulb on the passenger’s
side, turn the steering wheel to the
lef t.
Reinstall the inner f ender cover.
Then reinstall the holding clips,
andlocktheminplacebypushing
on their centers.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise. 5.
6.
1.
7.
8.
3.
4.
Lights
Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Parking/Turn Signal Light Bulb
314
TAB HOLDING CLIP
SOCKET
\f—\f—\fy


y
(#\fy\f
y
2009 Civic Sedan

Themileageyoucanexpectfrom
yourvehicletiresisthesameas
comparable mid-and rear-engine
sports cars, and it will vary greatly
with your driving habits.
If you drive moderately, the f ront
tires could last more than 10,000
miles (16,000 km). However, the
mileage will be substantially less if
you tend to drive your vehicle at the
upper limits of its capabilities.
You should caref ully inspect your
vehicle’s tires f or wear, damage, and
proper inf lation every 7,500 miles
(12,000 km).Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.The ABS and VSA system work by
comparing the speed of the wheels.
When replacing tires, use the same
size originally supplied with the
vehicle. Tire size and construction
can af f ect wheel speed and may
cause the ABS or VSA system to
activate.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
Also be sure you use only TPMS
specif ic wheels (if equipped). If you
do not, the tire pressure monitoring
system will not work.
CONT INUED
Tires
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Maint enance
329
\f—\f—\fy

y
(#\fy\fy
2009 Civic Sedan

µµ
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.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle: If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do this:
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.
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. 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).
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
358
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.
\f—\f—\fy

\fy
(#\fy\fy
2009 Civic Sedan

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.
If your vehicle is equipped with a
f ront spoiler, remove it bef ore
towing so it is not damaged.
Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
359
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.
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.
\f—\f—\fy

y
(#\fy\fy
2009 Civic Sedan

Î
CONT INUED
Seat Belts...................
System Components .18
...............
Use During Pregnancy .16
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt .14
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .93
............................
Security System .207
...............................
Serial Number .362
...........................
Service Intervals .291
...........................
Service Manual .381
.........
Service Station Procedures .249
..........................
Setting the Clock .206
...
Shif t Lever Position Indicators .270
........................
Shif t Lock Release .273
................................
Side Airbags .9,27
..........................
Of f Indicator .30,60
..................
Side Curtain Airbags .9,29
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
......................
Replacement .314,315
...............................
Signaling Turns .73
.....................................
Snow Tires .331
................................
Sound System .114
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating .336
............................
Specif ications .366
....................
Specif ications Charts .364
................................
Speed Control .208 Speed-sensitive Volume
.......
Compensation (SVC) .119,159
.......................................
Spotlights .106
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation .21
...
Additional Safety Precautions .32
..........
AdvancedAirbagSystem .26
.............................
Airbag Service .31
How the Passenger Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .30
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .30
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .29
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .27
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .29
........................
SRS Components .21
.............................
SRS Indicator .29,60
....
START (Ignition Key Position) .80
.......................
Starting the Engine .266
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .266
................
With a Dead Battery .344
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine .347 Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment .77
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock .80
...................
Stereo Sound System .114
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .334
Supplemental Restraint
..................................
System.9,21
......................................
Servicing .31
.........................
SRS Indicator .29,60
...................
System Components .21
.........................................
SVC .119,159
..................................
Synthetic Oil .301
Taillights, Changing
..................................
Bulbs .315,316
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .335
Index
T
INDEX
VII
\f—\f—\fy
y
(#\fy\fy
2009 Civic Sedan