tow HONDA CIVIC SEDAN 2006 Owner's Manual (in English)

2006 Civic Sedan Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.

Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ .4
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .7
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .57
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... .101
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................149
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .161
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................179
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................217
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................239
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canad a)................................................................251
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................255
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Accord Value Package Audio System
If you have a Civic GX refer to Civic GX Owner’s Manual Supplement for additional information.

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MIST
OFF
INT Intermittent
LO Low speed
HI High speed
Windshield washers
Push the right lever up or down to
select a position. The wipers are not activated.
The wipers run at high
speed until you release the lever.
The length of the wiper
interval is varied automatically
according to the vehicle’s speed.
If youturnittotheshortestdelay,
the wipers will change to low
speed operation when the vehicle
speed exceeds 12 mph (20 km/h). Vary the delay by turning the INT
TIME ring. The wipers run at low speed.
The wipers run at high speed. Pull the
wiper control lever toward you,
andholdit.Thewashersspray
until you release the lever. The
wipers run at low speed, then
complete one more sweep af ter
you release the lever.
While the vehicle is stopped and in
gear, the wipers sweep the
windshield whenever you remove
your f oot f rom the brake pedal.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
On EX models and Canadian LX
model
Windshield Wipers and Washers
OFF MIST
INT LO
HI
Windshield Washer
70
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Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy, metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
You may hear a knocking noise from
the engine if you drive the vehicle at
low engine speed (below about 1,000
rpm) in a higher gear. To stop this,
raise the engine speed by shif ting to
a lower gear.
We recommended using a quality
gasoline containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer f or service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 percent ethanol
by volume and up to 15 percent
MTBE by volume. Do not use
gasoline containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced.
Do not tow a trailer.
On vehicles with manual transmission
Break-in Period
Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
150
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Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its tube.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
2.
3. 1. 4.
191
Service Station Procedures
Oil Check
A dding Engine Oil
Bef ore Driving
153
DIPSTICK UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
SUPPORT ROD
CLIP GRIP
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Steps f or determining correct load
limit:
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 850
lbs’’ on your vehicle’s placard.
[The placard is on the driver’s
doorjamb.]
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
For example, if the maximum load
is 850 lbs and there will be f ive 150
lb. passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 100 lbs. (850 750 (5 150) = 100 lbs.)
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (385 kg) f or U.S.A, 395 kg
f or Canada. This f igure includes the
total weight of all occupants, cargo,
and accessories, and the tongue load
if you are towing a trailer.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
850 lbs.Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity in
step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
yourvehicle(seepage ).
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all passengers, accessories,
and cargo 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.
4. 5.
3. 1.
2. 6.
173
Carrying Cargo
Load Limits
158
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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Preparing to Drive .162
.......................
Starting the Engine .163
...................
Manual Transmission .164
..............
Automatic Transmission .166
...........................................
Parking .170
.............................
Braking System .171
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .172
...........................
Towing a Trailer .173
This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
the braking system, and f acts you
need if you are planning to tow a
trailer.
Driving
Driving
161
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This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshif t to f irst gear
when you come to a stop.
Use second gear:
For more power when climbing.
To increase engine braking when
going down steep hills.
For starting out on a slippery
surf ace or in deep snow. If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.
To shif t f rom second to
first, press the release button. This
position locks the transmission in
f irst gear. By upshif ting and
downshif ting through 1, 2, D , and D,
you can operate the transmission
much like a manual transmission
without a clutch pedal.
This position is
similar to D, except only the f irst
three gears are selected. Use D
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain,
or to provide engine braking when
going down a steep hill. D can also
keep the transmission f rom cycling
between third, f ourth, and f if th gears
in stop-and-go driving.
3
3
3
Second (2) Engine Speed L imiter
First (1)
Drive (D )
Automatic Transmission
3
168
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Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is on an
incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Lockthedoorswiththekeyorthe
remote transmitter. Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you. Turn of f the lights.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire. Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
On U.S. LX and EX models
Parking T ips
Parking
170
Never install a sunshade between the
upper and lower meters on the
instrument panel. If you do, you could
cause heat damage to the upper meter
on a very hot day.
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Your vehicle has been designed to
primarily carry passengers and their
cargo. You can also use it to tow a
trailer if you caref ully observe the
load limits, use the proper equipment,
and f ollow the guidelines in this
section.The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailerandeverthinginoronitmust
not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain. Theweightthatthe
tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be approximately
10 percent of the total trailer weight.
Too much tongue load reduces f ront-
tire traction and steering control.
Too little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight: T ongue L oad:
Driving
173
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
beforestartingtodrive.
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To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60 percent of the
load toward the front of the trailer
and 40 percent toward the rear, then
re-adjust the load as needed.The best way to conf irm that vehicle
and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale.
Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the f irst time you set up a
towing combination (a f ully-loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo,
and the tongue is: The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle axles is:
(EX) (DX, LX, Canadian DX-G) (DX, LX, Canadian DX-G)
on the f ront axle
on the f ront axle on the rear axle
on the rear axle
(EX) Checking L oads
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR): Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Towing a Trailer
174
3,671 lbs (1,665 kg)
3,704 lbs (1,680 kg)1,940 lbs (880 kg)
1,731 lbs (785 kg)
1,962 lbs (890 kg)
1,753 lbs (795 kg)
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