HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2008 8.G Owners Manual

If you take your vehicle f or an
emissions test shortly af ter the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions.
If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle retested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle f or retesting by
doing the f ollowing.Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4). Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine, and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
Keep the vehicle in Park. Increase
the engine speed to 2,000 rpm, and
hold it there until the temperature
gauge rises to at least 1/4 of the
scale (about 3 minutes).
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 6
hours or more.
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 40° and
95°F (4° and 35°C).
If the testing facility determines the
readiness codes are still not set, see
your dealer.
Select a nearby lightly traveled
major highway where you can
maintain a speed of 50 to 60 mph
f or at least 20 minutes. Drive on the highway in D. Do not use the
cruise control. When traf f ic allows,
drive f or 90 seconds without
moving the accelerator pedal.
(Vehicle speed may vary slightly;
this is okay.) If you cannot do this
f or a continuous 90 seconds
because of traf f ic conditions, drive
f or at least 30 seconds, then repeat
it two more times (f or a total of 90
seconds).
Without touching the accelerator
pedal and let the engine idle f or 20
seconds. Then drive in city/suburban
traffic for at least 10 minutes.
When traf f ic conditions allow, let
the vehicle coast f or several
seconds without using the
accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal.
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 30
minutes.
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
T esting of Readiness Codes
Emissions T esting
278
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....
Customer Service Inf ormation .280
....................
Warranty Coverages .281
Reporting Saf ety Def ects
..........................
(U.S. Vehicles) .282
.....................
Authorized Manuals .283
Warranty and Customer Relations
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions
279
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Honda dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
service manager or general manager
can help. Almost all problems are
solved in this way.
If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact your Honda
Customer Service Office.
U.S. Owners:Canadian Owners: When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation:
Vehicle Identif ication Number
(see page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your vehicle
Date of purchase
Mileage on your vehicle
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
vehicle to you
In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
266
Customer Service Inf ormation
280
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, California 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 999-1009Honda Canada Inc.
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B 2K8
Tel: 1-888-9-HONDA-9
Fax: Toll-free 1-877-939-0909
Toronto (416) 287-4776
Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816
Tel: (787) 620-7546 Customer Relations
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2008 Civic Hybrid

µ
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Your new vehicle is covered by these
warranties:
covers your new vehicle, except f or
the battery, emissions control
systems, and accessories, against
def ects in materials and
workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s
emissions control systems. Time,
mileage, and coverage are
conditional. Please read your
warranty booklet f or exact
inf ormation. provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the
vehicle. provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom your dealer.
this warranty gives up
to 100% credit toward a replacement
battery. a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
covered by a limited warranty.
Please read your warranty booklet
f or details.
covers all Honda
replacement parts against defects in
materials and workmanship.
Honda accessories are covered
under this warranty. Time and
mileage limits depend on the type of
accessory and other factors. Please
read your warranty booklet f or
details. all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit. Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2008 Honda warranty inf ormation
booklet that came with your vehicle
f or precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your vehicle’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty
inf ormation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2008 warranty
manual that came with your vehicle.
Warranty Coverages
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
New Vehicle L imit ed Warrant yEmissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty Replacement Muf f ler L if et ime
Limited Warranty
Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit ed Warranty Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty
Accessory Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant yWarrant y and Cust omer Relat ions
281
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2008 Civic Hybrid

If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it f inds that a saf ety def ect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may
order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
If you believe that your vehicle has a
def ect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inf orm the
National Highway Traf f ic Saf ety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the
VehicleSafetyHotlinetoll-freeat
1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590.
You can also obtain other
inf ormation about motor vehicle
safety from .
Reporting Saf ety Def ects (U.S. Vehicles)
282
http://www.saf ercar.gov
http://www.saf ercar.gov
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2008 Civic Hybrid

T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Covers maintenance and recommended procedures f or
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
f or the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
f or most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting inf ormation f or each electrical circuit
in your vehicle.
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
(U.S. only)
Authorized Manuals
Authorized Manuals
283
Form Description
2006-2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Service Manual 2006-2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
2006 Model Series Honda Civic 2/4 Door Body Repair Manual
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Owner’s Manual 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
Navigation System Owner’s Manual
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Honda Service History 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Quick Start Guide Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Publication
Form Number 61SNC02
61SNC02EL
61SNA30
31SNC620
31SNC810
31SNCM20 31SNCQ20 HON-R
www. helminc. com
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284
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CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .182
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .79
...............
Accessory Power Socket .99
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .215
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,21
...
Airbags, Additional Information .21
...
Additional Safety Precautions .32
..........
AdvancedAirbagSystem .26
.............................
Airbag Service .32
How the Passenger Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .31
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .30
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .30
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .28
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .29
........................
SRS Components .21
..............
Air Conditioning System .102
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .234
......................................
Antif reeze .218 Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .59,200
...................................
Operation .200
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .166
Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock .79
........................................
Armrest .92
................................
Audio System .108
.....
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .81
.........................
Auto Door Locking .81
.....................
Auto Door Unlocking .84
........................
Auto Idle Stop .196,197
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .19
.............
Automatic Speed Control .170
.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) .192
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .268
...............
Checking Fluid Level .221
.......................................
Shif ting .193
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators .192
................
Shif t Lever Positions .193
....................
Shif t Lock Release .195 Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,254
............................
Jump Starting .249
..............................
Maintenance .239
............................
Specif ications .269
..............................
Bef ore Driving .173
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,18
.............................
Beverage Holder .99
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .200
.............
Break-in, New Linings .174
....................
Bulb Replacement .226
...........................................
Fluid .222
...................
Pad Wear Indicator .200
.........................................
Parking .96
...........
System Indicator .58,63,256
.............................
Braking System .173
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .174
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .74
........................
Brights, Headlights .73
Index
A B
INDEX
I
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Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .227
.....................
Brake Lights .226,227
........
Front Side Marker Lights .225
...........
Front Turn Signal Light .225
.................................
Headlights .223
..........................
Parking Lights .225
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights .226
..........
Rear Turn Signal Lights .226
............................
Specif ications .269
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .223
.........................................
Card, PC .149
............................
Capacities Chart .268
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .52
.............................
Carrying Cargo .184
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
.......................................
CD Player .120
..................................
Ceiling Light .100
........................
Certif ication Label .266
............................................
Chains .238
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .243
Changing Oil
........................................
How to .216 ......................................
When to .207
...
Charging System Indicator .62,254
..............
Check Fuel Cap Indicator .68
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .190
.....................................
Child Saf ety .34
Child Seats
.............
LATCH Anchor System .43
.............................
Lower Anchor .43
............................
Tether Anchor .47
..................
Childproof Door Locks .81
....................
Cleaning the Wheels .233
.........................
Clock, Setting the .168
........................
CO in the Exhaust .275
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .191
..............................
Compact Spare .242
.............
Controls, Instruments and .55
Coolant
........................................
Adding .218
....................................
Checking .178
.........................
Proper Solution .218
...................
Temperature Gauge .65
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .275
............
Cruise Control Operation .170
....
Customer Service Inf ormation .280 ...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .3,56
................
Daytime Running Lights .74
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .282
........................
Def og and Def rost .106
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .75
..............
Def rosting the Windows .106
....................................
Dimensions .268
...............
Dimming the Headlights .73
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .221
..................................
Engine Oil .177
..........................
Directional Signals .73
Disc Brake Pad Wear
...................................
Indicators .200
.....................................
Disc Player .120
..................
Display Change Button .64
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .218
Doors
.
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .81
.....................
Auto Door Locking .81
.................
Auto Door Unlocking .84
..............
Locking and Unlocking .80
......................
Power Door Locks .80
Index
C D
II
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CONT INUED
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .270
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .189
....................................
Economy .179
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .230
...................................
Fan, Interior .103
.........................................
Features .101
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .175
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .230
...............................................
Oil .216
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .75
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .243
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .221
..........................................
Brake .222 ..................
Windshield Washer .220
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .161
..........................
Four-way Flashers .75
..............................
Front Airbags .9,21
.................................................
Fuel .174
......................
Fill Door and Cap .175
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement .174
...............................
Oxygenated .174
........................
Reserve Indicator .61
........................
Tank, Filling the .175
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .257
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .179
..........................................
Gasohol .174
.........................................
Gasoline .174
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .61
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement .174
........................
Tank, Filling the .175
................
Gas Station Procedures .175
..............................
Economy, Fuel .179
............
Emergencies on the Road .241
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .249
...........
Brake System Indicator .256
................
Changing a Flat Tire .243
.....
Charging System Indicator .254
..................
Checking the Fuses .257
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .253
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .255
..................
Overheated Engine .251
...........................
Emergency Brake .96
......................
Emergency Flashers .75
......................
Emergency Towing .263
............
Emergency Trunk Opener .87
.......................
Emissions Controls .275
........................
Emissions Testing .278
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .65 ..............
Engine Speed Limiter .194
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .62,255
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,253
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .215
...............................
Overheating .251
............................
Specif ications .268
.......................................
Starting .191
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .275
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .16
Index
F
E
G
INDEX
III
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