2009 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN power steering

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .56
............................
Instrument Panel .57
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .59
.............................................
Gauges .66
..............
Display Change Button .66
....................
Inf ormation Display .67
..................................
Fuel Gauge .70
...................
Temperature Gauge .70
Controls Near the Steering ...........................................
Wheel .71
.
Windshield Wipers and Washers .72
.........
Turn Signals and Headlights .73
............
Daytime Running Lights .74
........................................
Fog Lights .74
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .75
.................
Hazard Warning Button .76
.................
Rear Window Def ogger .76
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment .77
...............................
Keys and Locks .78
........................
Immobilizer System .79
................................
Ignition Switch .80
......................................
Door Locks .81
......................
Power Door Locks .82
..............
Childproof Door Locks .82
.
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .83
.....................
Auto Door Locking .83 .................
Auto Door Unlocking .85
................................................
Trunk .88
........
Emergency Trunk Opener .89
.......................
Remote Transmitter .90
.................................................
Seats .93
..................................
Seat Heaters .100
............................
Power Windows .101
.......................................
Moonroof .102
...........................................
Mirrors .104
...............................
Parking Brake .105
...............................
Interior Lights .106
.........
Interior Convenience Items .107
.....................
Beverage Holders .108
.........
Accessory Power Socket .108
..................................
Glove Box .108
.............
Console Compartment .108
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
55
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The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or Canadian models are noted in the text.
Canadian DX-G model with M/T has the electric power steering (EPS) indicator (see page62)next to the immobilizer system indicator.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
DX, DX-G (Canada), L X (U.S.), L X-S (U.S.), Sport (Canada), EX (U.S.), EX-L
57
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
(P.60) TRUNK-OPEN
INDICATOR
DOOR-OPEN
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
LIGHTS ON
INDICATORHIGH BEAM
INDICATORSUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE MINDER INDICATOR PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
TIRE PRESSURE
MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LIGHTS
INDICATOR
LOW TIRE
PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CRUISE MAIN
INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA) SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.64)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
(P.61)
(P.60)(P.61)(P.61)
(P.60)
(P.63) (P.64)
(P.63) (P.60)
(P.61)(P.59)
(P.65, 291)
(P.65,350)
(P.65,349)
(P.65,349) (P.64) (P.62)
(P.62)
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.65)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR
(P.59)
(P.61)
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2009 Civic Sedan

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

If equipped If equipped
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If itcomesonandstaysonatany
other time, or if it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. Take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked. Without VSA, your vehicle
still has normal driving ability, but
will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. See pagef or more inf ormation on the
VSA system. This indicator has three f unctions:
Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned off the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ).
It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. See page f or more
inf ormation on the VSA system. This indicator normally comes on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position and goes of f
af ter the engine starts. If it comes on
at any other time, there is a problem
in the electric power steering system.
If this happens, stop the vehicle in a
safe place, and turn off the engine.
Reset the system by restarting the
engine. The indicator will not turn
of f immediately. If it does not go of f
after driving a short distance, or
comes back on again while driving,
take the vehicle to your dealer to
have it checked. With the indicator
on, the EPS may be of f , making the
vehicle harder to steer.
1.
2.
3.
278 278
278
Instrument Panel Indicators
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator VSA A ctivation Indicator Electric Power Steering
(EPS) Indicator
Si and Canadian DX-G with manual
t ransmission models
62
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2009 Civic Sedan

µ
µ
µ
µ If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may make it dif f icult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)
position.
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key.
You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, push it in slightly. If
your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shif t lever must
also be in park.
The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III).
As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Immobilizer System, Ignition Switch
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
ST A RT (III)
Ignition Switch
LOCK (0)
80
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2009 Civic Sedan

Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Your vehicle is equipped with f ront
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels may be disc or drum,
depending on the model. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, f uel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, conf using
drivers behind you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear. Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving
275
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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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Î
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Maintenance Minder
297
:
If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Independent of maintenance message in the information display, replace
the brake fluid every 3 years.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the second
column on page .
NOTE: 1:
296
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
51
1
Maintenance Minder
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