2016 HONDA CIVIC tires

90 || 91
DRIVING
DRIVING
DRIVING
Learn about preparation for driving, as well as other features.
Before Driving
Check the following items before you begin driving.
Exterior Checks
•  Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
• 
remove any frost, snow, or ice.
•  Make sure the hood is securely closed.
•  Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite flammable materials left u\
nder
the hood, causing a fire. If you’ve parked your vehicle for an exte\
nded period,
inspect and remove any debris that may have collected, such as dried grass
and leaves that have fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by\
a small
animal. Also check under the hood for leftover flammable materials aft\
er you or
someone else has performed maintenance on your vehicle.
•  Make sure the tires are in good condition.
•  Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
Interior Checks
•  Store or secure all items on board properly.
•  Do not pile items in the cargo area higher than the seatback height.
•  Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure t\
he floor
mats.
•  If you have any animals on board, do not let them move freely around in \
the
vehicle.
•  Securely close and lock all doors and the trunk.
•  Adjust your seating position, mirrors, and steering wheel properly.
•  Make sure items placed on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll\
under the
seats.
• 
everyone in the vehicle must fasten their seat belt.
•  Make sure that the indicators in the instrument panel come on when you s\
tart
the vehicle, and go off soon after.
If the doors are frozen shut, use warm water around the door edges to me\
lt any
ice. Do not try to force them open, as this can damage the rubber trim a\
round the
doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid further freezing.
NOTICE In addition:
•  During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation, avoid sudden acc\
eleration or
full throttle operation so as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
•  Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km). You should also follow this
when the brake pads are replaced.
Improper accessories or modifications can affect your vehicle’s handling,
stability, and performance, and cause a crash in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in the vehicle owner’s manual regarding accessories
and modifications.
WARNING

92 || 93
DRIVING
DRIVING
Maximum Load Limit
Carrying too much cargo or improperly storing it can affect your vehicle\
’s handling,
stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
The maximum load for your vehicle is 850 lbs (385 kg). See the Tire and Loading
Information label on the driver’s doorjamb.
This figure includes the total weight of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer. Below are the
steps for determining the correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be \
riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage \
load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1,400 - 750 (5 \
x 150)
= 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants, accessories\
,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the Gross vehicle Weight
rating (GvWr) or the Gross Axle Weight rating (GAWr). Both are on a label
on the driver’s doorjamb.
Label example
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 qualified technici\
an.
Your vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer. Attempting to do so can void your
warranties.
Load limits example
Example 1
Max load
850 lbs
(385 kg) Passenger weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg )Cargo weight
550 lbs
(249 kg)
Example 2
Max load
850 lbs
(385 kg) Passenger weight
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) Cargo weight
100 lbs
(45 kg)
overloading or improper loading can affect handling and stability and cau\
se a
crash in which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other loading guidelines in this guide.
WARNING

116 || 117
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
Overheating
If the temperature gauge pointer is at the H mark, the engine suddenly l\
oses power,
or steam or spray comes out from under the hood, your engine is overheat\
ing.
1. Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place. Turn
off all accessories and turn on the hazard warning
lights.
2. If steam or spray is not present: Keep the engine
running and open the hood.
 If steam or spray is present: Turn off the engine and
wait until it subsides. Then, open the hood.
3. Check that the cooling fan is operating and stop the engine once the tem\
perature
gauge needle comes down. If the cooling fan is not operating, immediatel\
y stop
the engine.
4. once the engine has cooled down, inspect the coolant level and check the \
cooling system components for leaks. If the coolant level in the expansi\
on tank
is low, or no coolant is in the tank, check that the radiator is cool. Cover t\
he
expansion tank cap with a heavy cloth and open the cap. Add coolant unti\
l it
reaches the MAX mark, and put the cap back on.
once the engine has cooled sufficiently, restart it and check the temperature gauge.
If the temperature gauge pointer has gone down, resume driving. If it ha\
s not gone
down, contact a dealer for repairs.
MAX
Expansion tankMIN
Steam and spray from an overheated engine can seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam is coming out.
WARNING
removing the radiator cap while the engine is hot can cause the coolant t\
o
spray out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before removing the radiato\
r cap.
WARNING
Continuing to drive with the temperature gauge pointer at the H mark may\
damage
the engine.
NOTICE
Emergency Engine Stop*
The eNGINe STArT/SToP button may be used to stop the engine due to an
emergency situation even while driving. If you must stop the engine, cho\
ose one of
the following operations:
• 
Press and hold the eNGINe STArT/SToP button for
two seconds, or
• 
Firmly press the eNGINe STArT/SToP button two
times.
The steering wheel will not lock. Because turning off the engine also di\
sables the
power assist the engine provides to the steering and braking systems, it\
will require
significantly more physical effort and time to steer and slow the vehi\
cle. Downshift
gears and use both feet on the brake pedal, if necessary, to slow the vehicle and
stop immediately in a safe place
Do not press the button while driving unless it is absolutely necessary \
for the engine
to be switched off.
*if equipped
Emergency Towing
Call a professional towing service if you need to tow your vehicle.
Flat bed equipment: The operator loads your vehicle on the back of a tru\
ck. This is
the best way to transport your vehicle.
Wheel lift equipment: The tow truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the front
tires and lift them off the ground. The rear tires remain on the ground.\
This is an
acceptable way to tow your vehicle.
For CvT models: If you cannot shift the transmission or turn on the engine, your
vehicle must be transported with the front wheels off the ground. Make s\
ure the
parking brake is released. If you cannot release the parking brake, your\
vehicle must
be transported by flat bed equipment.
Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the bumpers will cause serious dama\
ge. The
bumpers are not designed to support the vehicle’s weight.
Improper towing such as towing behind a motorhome or other motor vehicle\
can
damage the transmission.
NOTICE

118 || 119
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Monitors the tire pressure while you are driving. If your vehicle’s tire pressure
becomes significantly low, the low tire pressure indicator comes on and a message
appears on the display. Available on U.S. models only.
What to Do
Stop your vehicle in a safe place. Check the tire
pressure and adjust the pressure to the specified
level on the label on the driver’s doorjamb.
TPMS CalibrationAny time you inflate, change, or rotate one or more of the tires, you \
need to
recalibrate the system.
The calibration process requires approximately 30 minutes of cumulative driving at
speeds between 30–65 mph (48–105 km/h). The vehicle must be stop\
ped to begin
calibration, and the process finishes automatically.
Models with TPMS button
Press and hold the TPMS button until the low tire
pressure indicator blinks twice, indicating the
calibration process has begun.
Models with color audio system and Driver Information Interface
Use the steering wheel buttons to make and enter selections in the Drive\
r
Information Interface (see page 29).
1. Scroll to the vehicle Settings screen, and select it.
2. Select TPMS Calibration.
3. Select Calibrate.
Models with Display Audio
Touch items on the screen to make and enter selections.
1. From the HoMe screen, select Settings.
2. Select vehicle.
3. Select TPMS Calibration.
4. Select Calibrate.
TPMS button Low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly\

when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the \
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure\

label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated \
on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine\
the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped
with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates
a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is
significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the\

proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes the tire to ove\
rheat and
can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also reduces fuel efficienc\
y and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenanc\
e,
and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even
if underinflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of\
the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator
to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This \
sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the \
malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be abl\
e
to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle \
that
prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement
or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
Driving on an extremely underinflated tire can cause it to overheat. A\
n overheated
tire can fail. Always inflate your tires to the specified pressure.
NOTICE

128 || 129
M
AINTENANCEMAINTENANCE
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 TrIP
knob in the instrument panel to change displays (see page 28).
Models with Driver Information Interface
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 Dis\
play button
on the steering wheel to change displays (see page 29).
Maintenance Minder message
Maintenance
Minder indicator
Sub items
Main item
Maintenance Minder message
System message

indicator
Sub items
Main
item
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 certified to EPA standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenan\
ce on the
maintenance main items marked with # will not void your emissions warranties.
However, all maintenance services should be performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the Driver Information Interface.
Maintenance Minder Service Codes
These codes indicate what services are due on your vehicle.
U.S. models
*1: If a Maintenance Minder indicator does not appear more than 12 months af\
ter the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
#: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
CODEMaintenance Main Items
AReplace engine oi l*1
BReplace engine oil*1 and oil lter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Inspect these items:
• Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
•S uspension components
• Driveshaft boots
• Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)
• All uid levels and condition of uids
• Exhaust system
#
•F uel lines and connection s#
*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 industryand diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen lter every \
15,000 miles (24,000 km).*4:Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds results in highe\
r transmission
temperatures. This requires transmission uid changes more frequently\
than recommended by
the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the
transmission uid changed every 25,000 miles (40,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
Rotate tires
2Replace air cleaner element*2
Replace dust and pollen lter*3
Inspect drive belt
3
Replace transmission uid*4
4Replace spark plug s
Inspect valve clearance
5
Replace engine coolant
7Replace brake uid*5
*5:If a Maintenance Minder indicator does not appear more than 36 months af\
ter the display for item 7 is reset, change the brake uid every 3 years.
In addition:
•  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.

130 || 131
M
AINTENANCEMAINTENANCE
*1: If a Maintenance Minder message does not appear more than 12 months afte\
r the display is
reset, change the engine oil every year.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every \
24,000 km (15,000 miles).
*3:
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of s\
oot in the air from industryand diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen lter every \
24,000 km (15,000 miles).
*4: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds results in highe\
r transmission
temperatures. This requires transmission uid changes more frequently\
than recommended by
the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the
transmission uid changed every 40,000 km (25,000 miles).
*5: If a Maintenance Minder Indicator does not appear more than 36 months after the display for
item7 is reset, change the brake uid every 3 years.#: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
CODEMaintenance Main Items
AReplace engine oi l*1
0Replace engine oil*1 and oil lter
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
Rotate tires
2Replace air cleaner element*2
Replace dust and pollen lte r*3
Inspect drive belt
3
Replace transmission uid*4
4Replace spark plug s
Inspect valve clearance
5
Replace engine coolant
7Replace brake uid*5
9Inspect front and rear brakes
Inspect these items: •T ie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
•S uspension components
•D riveshaft boots
•B rake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)
•A ll uid levels and condition of uids
•E xhaust system
#
•Fuel lines and connections#
Canadian models
In addition:
•  Inspect idle speed every 256,000 km (160,000 miles).
•  Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.Under the Hood
1.5 engine model\
s
Brake uid
(black cap)
Reserve \fank Washer uid
(blue cap)
\bngine oil dips\fick\v
(orange) \bngine oil ll cap Ba\f\fery
Reserve \fank cap
U.S. modelsWasher uid
(blue cap)Canadian models
2.0 engine model\/s
Brake/\flut\fh\b uid
(Bla\fk \fap)
Reserve tank Washer uid
(blue \fap) Engine oil dipsti\fk\/
(orange)
Engine oil ll \fap Battery
Reserve tank \fap
*if equipped

140 || 141
M
AINTENANCEMAINTENANCE
Tire Information
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, trea\
d life, and
comfort. refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or the specifications (see page
147) 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.
•  Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This means the vehicle has been
parked for at least 3 hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). If n\
ecessary, add
or release air until the specified pressure is reached, and then calib\
rate the
system (see page 118). If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as mu\
ch as
4–6 psi (30–40 kPa, 0.3–0.5 kgf/cm
2) higher than checked when cold.
•  At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the p\
ressure
in all tires, including the spare. even tires in good condition can lose 1–2 psi
(10–20 kPa, 0.1–0.2 kgf/cm2) per month.
Inspection Guidelines
every time you inflate the tires, check for the following:
•  Any damage to tires, including bumps, bulges, cuts, splits, or cracks in\
the side
or tread. remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks. replace tires if
you see fabric or cord.
•  Uneven or excessive tread wear. Have a dealer check the wheel alignment.
•  Cracks or other damage around the valve stems.
Wear Indicators
The groove where the wear indicator is located is
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) shallower than elsewhere on the
tire. If the tread has worn so low that the indicator is
exposed, replace the tire. Worn out tires have poor
traction on wet roads.
Example of a wear
indicator mark
Tire and Loading Information LabelThe 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 ratin\
g, 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 specifications match
those of the original wheels. only use TPMS-specified wheels approved for your
vehicle.
Using tires that are excessively worn or improperly inflated can cause\

a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this owner’s manual regarding tire inflation
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)
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

142 || 143
M
AINTENANCEMAINTENANCE
Tire Service Life
The life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving h\
abits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance,\
it is
recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires re\
ach
five years old. All tires, including the spare, should be removed from\
service 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 sufficient 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 ChainsBecause your vehicle has limited tire clearance, we strongly recommend u\
sing
the following chains:
For 215/55R16 tires:
Cable-type: Autotrac 0154505
For 215/50R17 tires:
Cable-type: Autotrac 0154005
Install tire chains on the front tires only. Mount chains as tightly as you can, and
make sure that they do not touch the brake lines or suspension.
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
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
Tire Labeling
The tires that came on your vehicle have a number of markings. Those you\

should be aware of are described below.
Here is an example of what each marking means: P205/55R16 89H
P: vehicle type (passenger)
205: tire width in millimeters
55: aspect ratio (tire section height as a
percentage of its width)
r: tire construction code (radial)
16: rim diameter in inches
89: load index (code indicating maximum load
tire can carry)
H: speed symbol (code indicating maximum
speed rating)
Tire Identification Number (TIN)The tire identification number
(TIN) is a group of numbers
and letters that look like the
example below. TIN is located
on the sidewall of the tire.
Glossary of Tire TerminologyCold Tire Pressure – The tire air pressure when the vehicle has been
parked for at least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Load rating – The maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given
inflation pressure.
Maximum Inflation Pressure – The maximum tire air pressure that the\
tire
can hold.
Maximum Load rating – The load rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible inflation pressure for that tire.
recommended Inflation Pressure – The cold tire inflation pressure \
recommended by the manufacturer.
Treadwear Indicators (TWI) – The projections within the principal gr\
ooves
designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the tread\
.
Tire size
Tire
identication
number (TIN)
Maximum
tire load
Maximu m
tire pressure
Tire siz e
DOT B97R FW6X 2209
DOT: This indicates that the tire meets all
requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
B97R: Manufacturer’s identication mark
FW6X: Tire type code
22 09: Date of Transportation

Year
Week