maintenance HONDA CIVIC 2010 8.G User Guide

Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, your airbags may not
operate properly.
Your airbag systems are virtually
maintenance f ree, and there are no
parts you can saf ely service.
However, you must have your
vehicle serviced if:
Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by an authorized dealer or
a knowledgeable body shop.
Be aware that objects placed on the
f ront seat can cause the indicator to
come on.
If no weight is detected on the f ront
seat, the airbag will be automatically
shut of f . However, the indicator will
not come on.
The passenger airbag of f indicator
maycomeonandoff repeatedlyif
the total weight on the seat is near
the airbag cutof f threshold.
If an adult or teenage passenger is
riding in f ront, move the seat as f ar
to the rear as possible, and have the
passenger sit upright and wear the
seat belt properly. If the indicator comes on with no
f ront seat passenger and no objects
on the seat, or with an adult riding
there, something may be interf ering
with the weight sensors. Look f or
and remove:
Any airbag
that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit and other related parts. Any
seat belt tensioner that activates
must also be replaced.
Any items under the f ront
passenger’s seat.
Any object(s) hanging on the seat
or in the seat-back pocket.
Any object(s) touching the rear of
the seat-back.
If no obstructions are f ound, have
your vehicle checked by a dealer as
soon as possible.
CONT INUED
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
T he SRS indicat or alert s you t o a problem.
An airbag ever inf lates.
Airbag Service
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
31
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The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or Canadian models are noted inthe text.
Canadian DX-G model with M/T has the electric power steering (EPS) indicator (see page 62) next to the immobilizer system indicator.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
DX, DX-G (Canada), L X (U.S.), L X-S (U.S.), Sport (Canada), EX (U.S.), EX-L
57
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
(P. 60) TRUNK-OPEN
INDICATOR
DOOR-OPEN
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
LIGHTS ON
INDICATORHIGH BEAM
INDICATORSUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE MINDER INDICATOR PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
TIRE PRESSURE
MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
DAYTIMERUNNING
LIGHTS
INDICATOR
LOW TIRE
PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CRUISE MAIN
INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA) SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.64)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
(P.61)
(P.60) (P.61) (P.61)
(P.60)
(P.63) (P.64)
(P.63) (P.60)
(P.61)(P.59)
(P.64) (P.62)
(P.62)
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.65)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR
(P.59)
(P.61)
(P.65, 339) (P.65, 339)(P.65, 340) (P.65, 281)
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The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or Canadian models are noted inthe text.
Instrument Panel
Si
58
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATORCRUISE MAIN
INDICATOR
LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR
TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
(VSA) SYSTEM INDICATOR
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
(EPS) INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR REV LIMIT INDICATOR
DOOR-OPEN INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS) INDICATOR
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR
DAYTIME
RUNNING LIGHTS
INDICATOR FOG LIGHT
INDICATOR (P.65)
(P.64)
(P.60)
(P.62)
(P.61)
(P.61) (P.62)
(P.64) (P.62)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (P.64)
(P.60)(P.63)
(P.59)
(P.61)
(P.61) (P.60)
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR (P.59)(P.63)
(P.64)
(P.60)
(P.61)
(P.61)
(P.65, 339)
(P.65, 339) (P.65, 281)
(P.65, 340)
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See page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more inf ormation, see page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more inf ormation,
see page .
This indicator comes on when the
security system is set. See page
f or more inf ormation on the
security system.
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance. The
maintenance main items and sub
items will be displayed in the
inf ormation display. See page f or
more inf ormation on the
maintenance minder.
This indicator goes of f when your
dealer resets it after completing the
required maintenance service.
281
208 340
339
339
If equipped
Instrument Panel Indicators
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Security System Indicator
Maintenance Minder
Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
65
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR Si
Except Si
Table of Contents

To switch the information display
between the odometer, trip meter,
outside temperature (if equipped),
and engine oil lif e and maintenance
item code(s), press the SEL/RESET
button repeatedly.
This shows the total distance your
vehicle has been driven. It measures
miles or kilometers.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial and territorial
regulations to disconnect, reset, or
alter the odometer with the intent to
change the number of miles or
kilometers indicated.
CONT INUED
Gauges
Odomet er
Inf ormation Display
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
U.S. model without outside temperature indicator is shown.ODOMETER
ODOMETER TRIP METER A
TRIP METER B
ENGINE OIL LIFE
TRIP METER A
U.S. model with outside temperature indicator is shown. ENGINE OIL LIFEOUTSIDE
TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR
TRIP METER B
: Press the SEL/
RESET button.
: Press the SEL/ RESET button.
Table of Contents

Your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The f irst time a leak is detected
a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
appears on the information display.
Turn the engine of f , and conf irm the
f uel f ill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the f uel f ill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the SEL/RESET
button. The ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’
message will appear each time you
restart the engine until the system
turns the message of f .If the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malf unction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the f uel f ill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
The inf ormation display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil lif e and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
inf ormation helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs f or continued trouble-
f ree driving. Ref er to page f or
more inf ormation.
340 281
Gauges
Check Fuel Cap Message
Maint enance Minder
Inst rument s and Cont rols
69
Table of Contents

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.
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause occasional metallic knocking
noises in the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance. Use
of a gasoline with a pump octane
number less than 87 can lead to
engine damage.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Do not tow a trailer.
We recommend using quality
gasolines 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% ethanol by
volume and up to 15% MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
A ll models except Si
Si model only
238
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Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle. 286
294 A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Engine Coolant Check
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
243
MAX
MIN
MAX
MIN
Except Si Si
RESERVE TANK
RESERVE TANK
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µµ
µ µ
µ
µµ
Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmedup)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel economy at speeds above
45 mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter).
An underinf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
286
CONT INUED
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors Use the recommended viscosity motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page).
Improving Fuel Economy Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Drive moderately
Observe the speed limit
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Avoid excessive idling
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
290
Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Bef ore Driving
245
Table of Contents

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .
......................Maintenance Saf ety . 280
....................
Maintenance Minder . 281
..............................
Fluid Locations . 288
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 290
Changing the Engine Oil
....................................
and Filter . 292
..............................
Engine Coolant . 294
....................
Windshield Washers . 297
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 298
..........
Automatic Transmission . 298
..............
Manual Transmission . 299
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 300
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 301
.............................................
Lights . 302
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 309
.....................................
Floor Mats . 310
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 310
.................................
Wiper Blades . 311
...........................................
Wheels . 313
...............................................
Tires . 314
...................
Checking the Battery . 322
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 324
373
Maintenance
Maint enance
279