2012 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN wheel

229Continued
Driving
Braking
Brake System
Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parking.To apply:
Pull the lever fully up without pressing the
release button.
To release:
1.Pull the lever slightly, and press and hold
the release button.
2. Lower the lever down all the way, then
release the button.
■Parking Brake1Parking Brake
NOTICE
Release the parking brake fu lly before driving. The
rear brakes and axle can be damaged if you drive
with the parki ng brake applied.
If you start driving without fully releasing the parking
brake, a buzzer sounds as a warning, and "RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE" appears on the multi-information
display
*.
Always apply the parking brake when parking.
To prevent the parking brake from freezing when the
outside temperature is ex tremely cold, do not apply
it, but do the following:
Put the shift lever in
( P, then use a block or other
wheel chock to stop the wheels from turning.
Put the shift lever in
( R or (1, then use a block or
other wheel chock to stop the wheels from turning.
Automatic transmission models
Manual transmission models
* Not available on all models
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uuBraking uBrake System
230
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped wi th front disc brakes. The brakes on the rear wheels may
be disc or drum, depending on the model. A power assist helps reduce the effort
needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases the stopping force
when you depress the brake pedal hard in an emergency situation. The anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain steer ing control when braking very hard.
2Brake Assist System P. 232
2 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 231
■Foot Brake1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous me tallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brak e pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pe dal and downshifting to a
lower gear. With manual transmission use a lower
gear for greate r engine braking.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also conf use drivers behind you.
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231
uuBraking uABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Driving
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribu tion (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pe dal. This is sometimes referred to as
"stomp and steer."
■ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very
hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately
if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
■ABS1ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
NOTICE
The ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the ti me or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, yo ur vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:
•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow.
•When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
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239
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 240
Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 241Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance
Service ........................................... 242
Maintenance Minder™ ....................243
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 251Opening the Hood ...........................253
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 254
Oil Check ......................................... 255
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 257
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 258
Engine Coolant ................................261
Transmission Fluid ............................ 263
Brake/Clutch Fluid ............................ 266
Refilling Window Wa sher Fluid.........267
Replacing Light Bulbs .......................268
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 278
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 280
Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 281Tire Labeling ....................................281DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 283Wear Indicators................................285Tire Service Life ................................
285
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 286
Tire Rotation .................................... 287
Winter Tires ..................................... 288
Battery ............................................... 289
Remote Transmitter Care
*
Replacing the Battery ....................... 290
Heating and Cooling* System
Maintenance ................................... 291
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 292
Exterior Care.................................... 294
* Not available on all models
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273
uuReplacing Light Bulbs uFront Turn Signal/Parking/Side Marker Light Bulbs
Continued
Maintenance
Front Turn Signal/Parking/Side Marker Light Bulbs
When replacing, use the following bulbs.
1.Turn the steering wheel all the way to the
opposite side from the light being replaced.
Passenger side: Turn the steering wheel to
the left.
Driver side: Turn the steering wheel to the
right.
2. Remove the holding clips, and pull the inner
fender back.
2 Low Beam Headlights P. 271
3.Detach the air intake duct tube and swing it
out of the inner fender.
Front Turn Signal/Parking/Side Marker Light: 28/8 W
Clip
Inner
Fender
Air
Intake
Duct
Tube
2.4 ℓ engine models
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280
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires
To safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated.
■Inflation guidelines
Properly inflated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and comfort.
Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or spec ification’s page for the specified pressure.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and
are more likely to fail from overheating.
Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazards,
and wear unevenly.
Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lower than the
others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.
At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure in
all tires, including the spare. Even tires in good condition can lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf/cm
2) per month.
■Inspection guidelines
Every time you check inflation, also examine the tires and valve stems.
Look for:
• Bumps or bulges on the side or in the tread. Replace the tire if you find any cuts,
splits, or cracks in the si de of the tire. Replace it if you see fabric or cord.
• Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks.
• Uneven tread wear. Have a deal er check the wheel alignment.
• Excessive tread wear.
2 Wear Indicators P. 285
•Cracks or other damage around valve stem.
1Checking Tires
Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This
means the vehicle has been parked for at least three
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). If
necessary, add or releas e air until the specified
pressure is reached.
If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as much as
4–6 psi (30–40 kPa, 0.3–0.4 kgf/cm
2) higher than if
checked when cold.
Have a dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent
vibration while driving. Ne w tires and any that have
been removed and reinst alled should be properly
balanced.
3WARNING
Using tires that are excessively worn or
improperly inflated can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instruction s in this owner’s
manual regarding ti re inflation and
maintenance.
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uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
284
Maintenance
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire
resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce\
tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger care tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B a\
nd A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
■Traction
■Temperature
1Traction
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
1 Temperature
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is propertly inflated
and not overloaded. Escessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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's

286
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire and Wheel Replacement
Maintenance
Tire and Wheel Replacement
Replace your tires with radials of the sa me size, load range, speed rating, and
maximum cold tire pressure ra ting (as shown on the tire’s sidewall). Using tires of a
different size or construction can cause the ABS and VSA
® (vehicle stability assist)
system to work incorrectly.
It is best to replace all four tires at the same time. If that isn’t possible, replace the
front or rear tires in pairs.
Make sure that the wheel’s specifications match those of the original wheels.
If you replace a wheel, only use TPMS sp ecified wheels approved for your vehicle.
1Tire and Wheel Replacement
3WARNING
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.
U.S. models only
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