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

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)
308
http://www.saf ercar.gov
http://www.saf ercar.gov
——y

y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

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
309
Form Description
2006-2008 Honda Civic 2/4 Door Service Manual
2006-2008 Honda Civic 2/4 Door
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
2006 Model Series Honda Civic 2/4 Door Body Repair Manual
2008 Honda Civic 4 Door Owner’s Manual 2008 Honda Civic
Navigation System Owner’s Manual
2008 Honda Civic Honda Service History
2008 Honda Civic 4 Door Quick Start Guide Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Publication
Form Number 61SNA05
61SNA05EL 61SNA30
31SNA621
31SNA810
31SNAM20 31SNAQ20 HON-R
www. helminc. com
—
—y

y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

310
——y
y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .189
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .78
.............
Accessory Power Socket .106
..................
Active Head Restraints .94
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .233
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 21
...
Airbags, Additional Information .21
...
Additional Safety Precautions .32
..........
AdvancedAirbagSystem .26
.............................
Airbag Service .31
How the Passenger Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .30
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .30
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .29
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .27
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .29
........................
SRS Components .21
..............
Air Conditioning System .108
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .255 ......................................
Antif reeze .236
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .60, 208
...................................
Operation .208
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .173
Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock .78
............................................
Armrest .95
................................
Audio System .112
.....
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .81
.........................
Auto Door Locking .81
.....................
Auto Door Unlocking .83
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .19
.............
Automatic Speed Control .176
..............
Automatic Transmission .202
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .293
...............
Checking Fluid Level .240
.......................................
Shif ting .202
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators .202
................
Shif t Lever Positions .203
....................
Shif t Lock Release .205
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .172 Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .65, 277
............................
Jump Starting .273
..............................
Maintenance .262
............................
Specif ications .294
..............................
Bef ore Driving .179
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,18
.........................
Beverage Holders .106
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .208
.............
Break-in, New Linings .180
....................
Bulb Replacement .247
...........................................
Fluid .242
.................
Pad Wear Indicators .207
.......................................
Parking .103
.................
System Indicator .59, 279
.............................
Braking System .207
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .180
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .73
........................
Brights, Headlights .72
Index
A B
INDEX
I
—
—y
y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

Î
Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .247
..............................
Brake Lights .247
........
Front Side Marker Lights .246
.........
Front Turn Signal Lights .246
.........................
Headlights .244, 245
.........
High-mount Brake Light .249
..........................
Parking Lights .246
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights .247
..........
Rear Turn Signal Lights .247
............................
Specif ications .293
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .244 ...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .3, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights .73
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .308
........................
Def og and Def rost .111
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .74
..............
Def rosting the Windows .111
....................................
Dimensions .292
...............
Dimming the Headlights .72
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .240
..................................
Engine Oil .183
..........................
Directional Signals .72
Disc Brake Pad Wear
...................................
Indicators .207
............................
Disc Player .124, 144
..................
Display Change Button .66
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .236
.........................................
Card, PC .153
............................
Capacities Chart .293
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .51
.............................
Carrying Cargo .191
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of . iii
..............................
CD Player .124, 144
..................................
Ceiling Light .104
........................
Certif ication Label .290
............................................
Chains .261
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .267 Changing Oil
........................................
How to .234
......................................
When to .223
...
Charging System Indicator .65, 277
..............
Check Fuel Cap Message .68
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .197
.....................................
Child Saf ety .33
Child Seats
.............
LATCH Anchor System .42
...........................
Lower Anchors .42
................
Tether Anchor Points .45
..................
Childproof Door Locks .80
.........................
Clock, Setting the .174
...................................
Clutch Fluid .243
........................
CO in the Exhaust .300
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .198
..............................
Compact Spare .266
.................
Console Compartment .106
.................
Consumer Inf ormation .306
.............
Controls, Instruments and .55
Coolant
........................................
Adding .236
....................................
Checking .185
.........................
Proper Solution .236
...................
Temperature Gauge .67 Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .300
............
Cruise Control Operation .176
....
Customer Service Inf ormation .306
Index
C D
II
—
—y
y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

Î
CONT INUED
Doors.
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .81
.....................
Auto Door Locking .81
.................
Auto Door Unlocking .83
..............
Locking and Unlocking .79
......................
Power Door Locks .80
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .295
Downshif ting, Manual
.............................
Transmission .199
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .195
....................................
Economy .186
..................................
Guidelines .196
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .250
..............................
Economy, Fuel .186
............
Emergencies on the Road .265
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .273
...........
Brake System Indicator .279
................
Changing a Flat Tire .267
.....
Charging System Indicator .277
..................
Checking the Fuses .280
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .277
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .278 ..................
Overheated Engine .275
.........................
Emergency Brake .103
......................
Emergency Flashers .74
......................
Emergency Towing .286
............
Emergency Trunk Opener .87
.......................
Emissions Controls .300
........................
Emissions Testing .303
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .67
......
Engine Speed Limiter .201, 204
Malf unction Indicator
......................................
Lamp .278
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .65, 277
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .232
...............................
Overheating .275
............................
Specif ications .292
.......................................
Starting .198
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .181
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .300
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .51
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .16
...................................
Fan, Interior .108 .........................................
Features .107
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .181
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .250
...............................................
Oil .234
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level .241
................................
Shif ting the .199
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .74
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .267
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .240
..........................................
Brake .242
.........................................
Clutch .243
...................................
Locations .230
..............
Manual Transmission .241
..........................
Power Steering .243
..................
Windshield Washer .239
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .166
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .95
..........................
Four-way Flashers .74
..............................
Front Airbags .9, 24
Index
F
E
INDEX
III
——y

y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

.................................................
Fuel .180
......................
Fill Door and Cap .181
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement .180
...............................
Oxygenated .181
........................
Reserve Indicator .64
........................
Tank, Filling the .181
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .280
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle .268
.......................................
Jack, Tire .267
................................
Jump Starting .273
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .186
.........................................
Gasoline .180
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .64
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement .180
........................
Tank, Filling the .181
................
Gas Station Procedures .181
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .67
...............................................
Fuel .67
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission .202
..............
Manual Transmission .199
......................................
Glove Box .106 .............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .244
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers .74
Headlights
........................................
Aiming .244
............
Daytime Running Lights .73
..................
High Beam Indicator .61
........................
Reminder Beeper .72
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs .244
...................................
Turning on .72
..............................
Head Restraints .92
.............................
Heated Mirrors .103
.....................
Heating and Cooling .108
.............
High Altitude, Starting at .198
.................
High-Low Beam Switch .72
..............
High-mount Brake Light .249
.......................
Hood, Opening the .182
..............................................
Horn .4,70
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .290
Ignition
..............................................
Keys .76
...........................................
Switch .78 ............
Timing Control System .301
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel .59
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .38
Inf ant Seats
.............
LATCH Anchor System .42
...........................
Lower Anchors .42
................
Tether Anchor Points .45
Inf lation, Recommended Tire ...................................
Pressures .255
........................
Inf ormation Display .66
.................................
Inside Mirror .102
.............................
Inspection, Tire .256
............................
Instrument Panel .57
................
Instrument Panel Lights .59
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .73
..............
Instruments and Controls .55
...............................
Interior Lights .104
........................................
Introduction .i
Index
H
I
G
J
IV
——y
y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

Î
CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .76
.......................
Label, Certif ication .290
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .72
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .14, 19
.................
LATCH Anchor System .42
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .244
.......................................
Indicator .59
.........................................
Parking .72
..................................
Turn Signal .72
....................................
Load Limits .192
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .78
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .78
............................
Fuel Fill Door .181
.................................
Power Door .80
...........................................
Trunk .86
........................
Low Coolant Level .185
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .64
................................
Lower Anchors .42
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a .199 ...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .65, 277
Low Tire Pressure
.............................
Indicator .63, 212
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .293
...................
Neutral Gear Position .203
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .180
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .200 ...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .290
..................................
Maintenance .221
................................
Minder .223-229
.........................
Minder Indicator .65
...
Owner Maintenance Checks .228
..........................................
Saf ety .222
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .278
...................
Manual Transmission .199
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .241
...............................
Meters, Gauges .66
...................
Methanol in Gasoline .181
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .102
.......................................
Moonroof .100
...........................
MP3/WMA .125, 145 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .180
.........................................
Odometer .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .67
Oil
........................
Change, How to .234
......................
Change, When to .223
......................
Checking Engine .183
..............
Pressure Indicator .65, 277
.......
Selecting Proper Viscosity .232
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .78
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .300
............................
Outside Mirrors .102
....
Outside Temperature Indicator .68
....................
Overheating, Engine .275
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .228
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .181
Index
M
N O
K
L
INDEX
V
—
—y
y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan

Î..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 18
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting .308
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of .52
..............................
Saf ety Messages .iii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 18
...............
Additional Information .18
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .19
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .14, 19
........................
Maintenance .20, 250
Reminder Light and
................................
Beeper .18, 59
..............
Panel Brightness Control .73
........................
Park Gear Position .203
...........................................
Parking .206
...............................
Parking Brake .103
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator .59, 279
.................................
Parking Lights .72
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .302
........................
Playing a Disc .124, 144
.........................
Playing a PC Card .153
..................
Playing the Radio .115, 132
.............................
PGM-FI System .301
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .16
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .11
...
Additional Safety Precautions .17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .16
........................
Protecting Children .33
.....................
General Guidelines .33
...........................
Protecting Inf ants .38
...........
Protecting Larger Children .47
.............
Protecting Small Children .39 ...................
Radiator Overheating .275
.............
Radio/CD Sound System .114
Radio/CD/PC Card Sound
........................................
System .132
...........................
Readiness Codes .278
Rear Lights, Bulb
.......................
Replacement .247-249
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .95
..........................
Rear View Mirror .102
.................
Rear Window Def ogger .74
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs .91
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds .200
.............................
Reminder Lights .59
................
Remote Audio Controls .171
.......................
Remote Transmitter .88
Replacement Inf ormation
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter .250
................
Engine Oil and Filter .234
..........................................
Fuses .280
................................
Light Bulbs .244
................
Maintenance Minder .223
...........................................
Tires .259
.............................
Wiper Blades .251 Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .20
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant .185, 236
...............................
Restraint, Child .33
..................
Reverse Gear Position .203
................................
Rotation, Tire .258
Index
R
S
P
VI
—
—y
y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

Î
CONT INUED
Taillights, Changing..................................
Bulbs .247, 248
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .265
Seat Belts
...................
System Components .18
...............
Use During Pregnancy .16
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt .14
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .91
............................
Security System .175
...............................
Serial Number .290
...........................
Service Intervals .223
...........................
Service Manual .309
.........
Service Station Procedures .181
..........................
Setting the Clock .174
...
Shif t Lever Position Indicators .202
........................
Shif t Lock Release .205
................................
Side Airbags .9, 27
..........................
Of f Indicator .30, 60
..................
Side Curtain Airbags .9, 29
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
......................
Replacement .246, 247
...............................
Signaling Turns .72
.....................................
Snow Tires .261
................................
Sound System .112
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating .266
............................
Specif ications .294
....................
Specif ications Charts .292
................................
Speed Control .176 Speed-sensitive Volume
.......
Compensation (SVC) .118, 142
.......................................
Spotlights .104
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation .21
...
Additional Safety Precautions .32
..........
AdvancedAirbagSystem .26
.............................
Airbag Service .31
How the Passenger Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .30
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .30
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .29
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .27
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .29
........................
SRS Components .21
.............................
SRS Indicator .29, 60
....
START (Ignition Key Position) .78
.......................
Starting the Engine .198
In Cold Weather at High
..................................
Altitude .198
................
With a Dead Battery .273
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine .275 Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment .75
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock .78
...................
Stereo Sound System .112
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .264
Supplemental Restraint
..................................
System .9,21
......................................
Servicing .31
.........................
SRS Indicator .29, 60
...................
System Components .21
.........................................
SVC .118, 142
..................................
Synthetic Oil .233
Index
T
INDEX
VII
—
—y

y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan