HONDA CIVIC SEDAN 2008 Owner's Manual (in English)

In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the information display. Move the
tires to the positions shown in the
chart each time they are rotated. If
you purchase directional tires, rotate
only f ront-to-back.
When the tires are rotated, make
sure the air pressures are checked.The tires that came on your vehicle
were designed and constructed to
provide superior grip during
acceleration, braking, and cornering.
As a trade-of f , they will wear more
rapidly than tires used on ordinary
passenger vehicles. Because of the
vehicle’s weight distribution, and the
fact that the front wheels are the
driving wheels, you can expect them
to wear more rapidly than the rear
tires.On Si model only
T ire Maintenance T ire Rotation T ire Wear
Tires
258
Front Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
On vehicles with aluminum wheels,
improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only Honda wheel weights f or
balancing.
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Themileageyoucanexpectfrom
yourvehicletiresisthesameas
comparable mid-and rear-engine
sports cars, and it will vary greatly
with your driving habits.
If you drive moderately, the f ront
tires could last more than 10,000
miles (16,000 km). However, the
mileage will be substantially less if
you tend to drive your vehicle at the
upper limits of its capabilities.
You should caref ully inspect your
vehicle’s tires f or wear, damage, and
proper inf lation every 7,500 miles
(12,000 km).Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.The ABS and VSA system work by
comparing the speed of the wheels.
When replacing tires, use the same
size originally supplied with the
vehicle. Tire size and construction
can af f ect wheel speed and may
cause the ABS or VSA system to
activate.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer. If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
Also be sure you use only TPMS
specif ic wheels (if equipped). If you
do not, the tire pressure monitoring
system will not work.
CONT INUED
Tires
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Maint enance
259
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Wheels:
Tires:See page f or inf ormation about
DOT Tire Quality Grading, and page
f or tire size and labeling
inf ormation.
(DX, Canadian DX-G)
(summer tire)
(LX, EX, EX-L)
(Si)
(LX, EX, EX-L)
(Si) (DX, Canadian DX-G with
automatic transmission)
(all season tire) 295
297
(Canadian DX-G with manual
transmission)
Optional
Wheel and T ire Specif ications
Tires
260
15x6J
16x61/2J
17x7J
P195/65R15 89H
P205/55R16 89H
P215/45R17 87V
215/45ZR17 91W P195/65R15 89S
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
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´
Tires marked ‘‘M S’’ or ‘‘All
Season’’ on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions. When installing cables, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tight as you can.
Make sure they are not contacting
the brake lines or suspension. Drive
slowly with them installed. If you
hear them coming into contact with
the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.
If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as original tires. Mount snow tires on
all f our wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
maybelowerthanyouroriginaltires.
Check with the tire dealer f or
maximum speed recommendations.
Mount tire chains on your tires when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Install them only on the
f ront tires.
Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, Honda strongly
recommends using the chains listed
below, made by Security Chain
Company (SCC).
If your vehicle is equipped with
summer tires, be aware that these
tires are not designed f or winter
driving conditions. For more
inf ormation, consult your dealer.
CONT INUED
Si model only
Winter DrivingSnow T ires
T ire Chains
Summer T ires
Tires
Maint enance
261
CH2311T Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.
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Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors.Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f urther corrosion.
Checking the Battery
Tires, Checking the Battery
262
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
Except Si SiUsing the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains.
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µ
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the
audio system will disable itself . The
nexttimeyouturnontheradio,you
may see ‘‘CODE’’ in the f requency
display. Use the preset buttons to
enter the code (see page ).
The navigation system will also
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter a PIN
bef ore it can be used. Ref er to the
navigation system manual.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualif ied technician.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.173
On vehicles with navigation system
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Checking the Battery
Maint enance
263
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
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Fill the f uel tank.Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors. Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield. Disconnect the battery. If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles twice).
Pref erably, do this once a month.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic).
Vehicle Storage
264
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This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .266
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .267
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .271
................................
Jump Starting .273
..............
If the Engine Overheats .275
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .277
..........
Charging System Indicator .277
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .278
...............
Brake System Indicator .279
..............................................
Fuses .280
..............................
Fuse Locations .284
......................
Emergency Towing .286
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
265
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Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to: Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Follow these precautions:
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surf aces. Use greater caution
while driving. Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
Do not mount tire chains on the
compact spare tire. Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Do not use a compact spare tire
mounted on a f ront wheel; it will
damage the limited slip dif f erential
(see page ).
On vehicles with the TPMS
system, the low tire pressure
indicator comes on and stays on
after you replace the flat tire with
the compact spare tire. Af ter
several miles (kilometers) driving
with the compact spare tire, the
TPMS indicator comes on and the
low tire pressure indicator goes of f .
267
On Si model
Compact Spare Tire
266
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
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Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.
Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
f loor by lif ting up on the back edge.
Take the tool case out of the spare
tire.
Unscrew the wing bolt, and take
the spare tire out of its well.
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
Thecompactsparetireissmaller
than a standard tire, and it will affect
the vehicle’s handling. Drive
cautiously when the spare is
mounted on your vehicle.
Thesizedifferencemayalsocause
damage to the dif f erential, so do not
mount the compact spare on the
f ront. If either f ront tire goes f lat,
removethereartireonthatsame
side, mount the compact spare tire
on the rear, then mount the rear tire
on the f ront.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
CONT INUED
On Si model only
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
267
SPARE TIRETRUNK FLOOR
JACK TOOL CASE
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
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