2015 HONDA CIVIC suspension

88 || 89
DRIVING
DRIVING
Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, \
use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelines. Check the load limits befor\
e driving
(see page 87).
Civic HF, Coupe, and Natural Gas (CNG) models are not designed to tow a traile\
r.
Attempting to do so can void your warranties.
Total Trailer Weight
Maximum allowable weight of the trailer, cargo, and
everything in or on it must not exceed 1,000 lbs (450
kg). Towing loads in excess of this can seriously
affect vehicle handling and performance and can
damage the engine and drivetrain.
Tongue LoadThe weight of the tongue with a fully loaded trailer
on the hitch should be approximately 10% of the
total trailer weight.
• Excessive tongue load reduces front tire traction and steering control. Too little tongue load can
make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
• To achieve a proper tongue load, start by loading 60% of the load toward the front of the trailer and
40% toward the rear. Readjust the load as needed.
Pre-tow Checklist
When preparing to tow, and before driving away, ensure the following:
• The vehicle has been properly serviced, and the suspension and the cooli\
ng system are in good operating condition.
• Avoid towing a trailer during your vehicle’s fi rst 600 miles (1,000 km).
• The trailer has been properly serviced and is in good condition.
• All weights and loads are within limits. Never exceed the gross weight r\
atings.
• Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale. If a public scal\
e is not available, add the estimated weight of your cargo load to the weight of \
your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer) and the tongue load.
• The hitch, safety chains, and any other attachments are secure.
• All items in or on the trailer are properly secured and cannot shift whi\
le you drive.
Tongue Load
Total load
Tongue load
Exceeding any load limit or improperly loading your vehicle and trailer \
can
cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and trailer carefully before starting \
to driv
e.
WARNING
Load limits exampleExample 1
Max load
850 lbs
( 385 kg) Passenger weight
1 50 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs
(68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) C
argo weig ht
550 lbs
(2 49 kg)
Exam ple 2
Max load
850 lbs
( 385 kg) Pass
enger wei ght
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs
(68 kg x 5 = 34 0 kg ) C
argo weig ht
100 lbs
(45 kg)
Overloading or improper loading can affect handling and stability and ca\
use a
crash in which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other loading guidelines in this guide.
W ARNING
The headlight aim on your vehicle was set by the factory , and does not need to be
adjusted. However , if you regularly carry heavy items in the cargo area or pull a
trailer , have the aiming readjusted at your dealer or by a qualifi ed technician.

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MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance Minder™
Reminds you when indicated maintenance service is due.
Models with information display
When maintenance is due, the Maintenance Minder indicator comes on and a\

message appears on the display every time you turn the vehicle on. Press\
the select/
reset knob to change displays.
Models with i-MID
When maintenance is due, the system message indicator comes on and a mes\
sage
appears on the display every time you turn the vehicle on. Press the Inf\
o button on
the steering wheel to change displays.
• Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fl\
uid every
3 years.
• Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
• Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
Maintenance
Minder indicator
Main items
Sub items
Maintenance Minder message
2345
Maintenance
Minder indicator
Main
items Sub
items
Maintenance Minder messageSystem message
indicator
Maintenance Minder Service Codes
These codes indicate what services are due on your vehicle.
Sedan, Coupe, and Si models
*1: If a message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the displ\
ay is reset, change
the engine oil every year.
*2: Models with tire repair kit
#: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A • Replace engine oil*1
B• Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter
• Inspect front and rear brakes/service as necessary
• Check parking brake adjustment
• Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
• Inspect suspension components
• Inspect driveshaft boots
• Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)
• Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids
• Inspect exhaust system
#
• Inspect fuel lines and connections#
• Check the expiration date for TRK bottle*2
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every \
15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of s\
oot in the air from industry
and from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter e\
very 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*4: Continuously variable transmission (CVT) models
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towin\
g results in higher transmission
temperatures. This requires transmission fluid changes more frequently\
than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these cond\
itions, have the transmission
fluid changed every 25,000 miles (40,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1 • Rotate tires
2• Replace air cleaner element*2
• Replace dust and pollen filter*3
• Inspect drive belt
3 • Replace transmission fluid*4
4• Replace spark plugs
• Inspect valve clearance
5 • Replace engine coolant

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MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Natural Gas (CNG) models
CODE Maintenance Main Items
A Replace engine oil • *1
B Replace engine oil• *1 and oil filter
Replace fuel filter element (low pressure)
•
Drain fuel filter (high pressure)
•
Inspect front and rear brakes/service as necessary
•
Check parking brake adjustment
•
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
•
Inspect suspension components
•
Inspect driveshaft boots
•
Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/ VSA)
•
Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids
•
Inspect exhaust system
•
#
Inspect fuel lines and connections
• #
Check the expiration date for TRK bottle
•
CODE Maintenance Sub Items
1 Rotate tires •
2 Replace air cleaner element •
*2
Replace dust and pollen filter
• *3
Replace fuel filter element (high pressure)
•
Inspect drive belt
•
Inspect valve clearance
•
Inspect fuel tank
•
*4
3 Replace transmission fluid •
4 Replace spark plugs •
5 Replace engine coolant •
*1: If a message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the
engine oil every year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*4: If sub item 2 does not appear more than 36 months after the display is reset, inspect the fuel tank
every three years.
See CNG tank expiration and production dates for inspection and replacement information.
Fuel tank should be replaced 15 years after it was manufactured.
Under the Hood
Engine oil dipstick
(orange handle)
Engine oil dipstick
(orange handle) Brake fl
uid
(black cap)
Brake fl uid
(black cap)
Clutch fl
uid (manual
transmission)
(light gray cap)
Clutch fl uid
(light gray cap)
Battery
Battery
Engine coolant reserve tank
Engine coolant reserve tank
Engine oil fi
ll cap
Engine oil fi ll cap
W
asher fl uid
(blue cap)
W asher fl uid
(blue cap) Radiator cap
Radiator cap
U.S. models
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of emissions control devices and sys\
tems
may be done by any automotive repair establishment or individuals using \
parts
that are certi ed to EP A standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenan\
ce on the
maintenance main items marked with # will not void your emissions warran\
ties.
However , all maintenance services should be performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-information display .
Sedan, Coupe, and Natural Gas (CNG) models
Si models

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MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Tire and Loading Information Label
The label attached to the driver’s doorjamb provides necessary tire and
loading information.
Tire and Wheel Replacement
Replace your tires with radials of the same size, load range, speed rati\
ng, and
maximum cold tire pressure rating (as shown on the tire’s sidewall). Using tires
of a different size or construction can cause certain vehicle systems 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.
If you change or replace a wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifi cations match
those of the original wheels. Only use TPMS-specifi ed wheels approved for your
vehicle.
Installing improper tires on your vehicle can affect handling and stabil\
ity.
This can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of tires recommended in the Owner’s Manual.
WARNING
Using tires that are excessively worn or improperly infl ated can cause
a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this owner’s manual regarding tire infl ation
and maintenance
.
WARNING
Original
tire sizes Number of
people your
vehicle can
carry Proper cold
tire pressure
Total weight
your vehicle
can carry
(do not exceed)
Tire Service Life
The life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving h\
abits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, infl ation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular inspections and infl ation pressure maintenance, it is
recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires re\
ach
fi ve years old. All tires, including the spare*, should be removed from se\
rvice after
10 years from the date of manufacture, regardless of their condition or \
state of
wear.
Winter TiresIf driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season tires marked “M\
+S”, snow
tires, or tire chains; reduce speed; and maintain suffi cient distance between
vehicles when driving. For winter tires, select the size and load ranges\
that are the
same as the original tires, and mount them to all four wheels.
Tire ChainsInstall tire chains on the front tires only. Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, we strongly recommend using the following chains:
For P195/65R15 tires:
Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain SC1030
For P205/55R16 or P215/45R17 tires:
Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain SC1032
For P225/40R18 or 225/40R18 tires:
These tires are not suitable for mounting any traction device.
Mount chains as tightly as you can, and make sure that they do not touch\
the
brake lines or suspension.
Traction devices that are the wrong size or improperly installed can dama\
ge your
vehicle’s brake lines, suspension, body, and wheels. Stop driving if they are hitting
any part of the vehicle.
NOTICE
Using the wrong chains, or not properly installing chains, can damage th\
e
brake lines and cause a crash in which you can be seriously injured or k\
illed.
Follow all instructions in this guide regarding the selection and use of\
tire
chains.
WARNING
*if equipped