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

2008 Civic Sedan Online Reference Owner's Manual

Refer to 2008 Civic GX Supplement for topics specific to the Civic GX. Contents

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction .............................................................................................................................\
............................. i

A Few Words About Safety ......................................................................\
........................................................ iii
Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) ....................................................\
................................................ 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) ......................\
.............................. 5
Instruments and Controls (indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column) ................................ 55
Features (heating and cooling, audio, steering wheel, security, and cru\
ise control) ............................ 107
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break- in, and cargo loading) ................\
..................................................... 179
Driving (engine and transmission operation) .........................................\
....................................................... 195
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)........................................... 221
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, and fuses) ............................. 265
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 289
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 305
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ..............................................\
........................................... 309
Index ......................................................................\
......................................................... ........................................ I

Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
\
\
1 00X31-SNA-6210

How to operate the heating and air
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other convenience
f eatures. A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump. A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them. The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check
and instructions on how to check
them.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints. Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
Features Bef ore Driving
Driving
T echnical Inf ormation
Warranty and Customer
Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
T aking Care of the Unexpected Maintenance
Overview of Contents
2
——y
y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan

Î
ÎÎ
Î
Î
Î Î
CONT INUED: If equipped
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHESGAUGES
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE HANDLETRUNK RELEASE
HANDLE
DRIVER’S FRONT
AIRBAG
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS
AUDIO SYSTEMMOONROOF SWITCH PASSENGER’S FRONT AIRBAG
(P.57)
(P.66)
(P.9,24)
(P.80) MIRROR CONTROLS
(P.181) (P.9,30)
(P.108)
(P.199)
(P.112)
Vehicle with navigation system is shown. DOOR LOCK TAB
(P.79)
ACCESSORY
POWER SOCKET
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(P.202)
MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
(P.102)
(P.99) (P.86) (P.106)
(P.100)
AUXILIARY INPUT JACK SEAT HEATER SWITCHES
(P.172)(P.98)
——y
y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan

Î
Î Î
Î
Î
Î
Î If equipped
:
Control L ocations
56
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES AUDIO SYSTEM
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
POWER DOOR LOCK
MASTER SWITCH MOONROOF SWITCH
INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS
ACCESSORY
POWER
SOCKET
DOOR LOCK TAB
GAUGES
(P.57)
(P.66)
(P.80) (P.79)
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P.108)
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE HANDLE
(P.181) TRUNK RELEASE
HANDLE
Vehicle with navigation system is shown. AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(P.202)
MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
(P.199)
(P.112)
(P.100)
(P.102)
(P.99) (P.86) (P.106)
SEAT HEATER SWITCHES
(P.98)
AUXILIARY INPUT JACK
(P.172)
——yy
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

µ
µ
µ
µ If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may make it dif f icult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)
position.
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key.
You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, push it in slightly. If
your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shif t lever must
also be in park. The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III).
As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Immobilizer System, Ignition Switch
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
ST A RT (III)
Ignition Switch
LOCK (0)
78
——y

y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan

Each door has a lock tab next to the
inside door handle. Pull the tab out
to lock the door, and push it in to
unlock the door.To lock any passenger’s door when
getting out of the vehicle, pull the
lock tab out, and close the door. To
lock the driver’s door, pull and hold
the outside door handle, then pull
the lock tab out. Release the handle,
then close the door.
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the LOCK (0) or
the ACCESSORY (I) position and
open the driver’s door. Remove the
key to turn of f the beeper.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shif t lever must be
in Park bef ore you can remove the
key f rom the ignition switch.
On DX models
Ignit ion Swit ch, Door L ocks
Door L ocks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
79
LOCK TAB
To lock
To unlock
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.
——y
y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan

Push the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel. The CRUISE
MAIN indicator on the instrument
panel comes on.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speedabove25mph(40km/h).
Cruise control allows you to maintain
asetspeedabove25mph(40km/h)
without keeping your f oot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
f or cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended f or
city driving, winding roads, slippery
roads, heavy rain, or bad weather.
Cruise control may not hold the set
speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your speed increases
going down a hill, use the brakes to
slow down. This will cancel cruise
control. To resume the set speed,
press the RES/ACCEL button. The
indicator on the instrument panel will
come back on.
When climbing a steep hill, the
automatic transmission may
downshifttoholdthesetspeed.Press and release the SET/
DECELbuttononthesteering
wheel. The CRUISE CONTROL
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on to show the system is
now activated.
1.
2. 3.
If equippedUsing the Cruise Control
Cruise Control
176
CANCEL
BUTTON
CRUISE BUTTON
RES/ACCEL
BUTTON
SET/DECEL
BUTTON
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.
——y
y
(#y

y
2008 Civic Sedan

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
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
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 mileage 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.
An under-inf 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.
228
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
232
Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Bef ore Driving
187
——y
y
(#y
y
2008 Civic Sedan

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, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system, the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer.........................
Driving Guidelines .196
........................
Preparing to Drive .197
.......................
Starting the Engine .198
...................
Manual Transmission .199
..............
Automatic Transmission .202
...........................................
Parking .206
.............................
Braking System .207
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .208
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .210
Tire Pressure Monitoring ........................
System (TPMS) .212
...........................
Towing a Trailer .215
Driving
Driving
195
——y
y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
down, and hold it there while
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 5.
Press the clutch pedal down all the
way. The START (III) position
does not f unction unless the clutch
pedal is pressed.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III)
position f or more than 15 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not
start right away, pause for at least
10 seconds bef ore trying again. Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
1.
2.
3.
4. 6.
5.
Manual transmission: Automatic transmission:
Starting the Engine
198
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page. The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
77
——y
y
(#yy
2008 Civic Sedan