HONDA CIVIC SEDAN 2009 Owner's Manual (in English)

Î
Î
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with
non-Honda components could
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:
Lowering your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability. Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
safety features can make the
systems inef f ective.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer. Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and will not be
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) .
: If equipped
Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
258
\f—\f—\fy
\fy
(#\fy\fy
2009 Civic Sedan

Î
Î
Î
Î
Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
Console compartment
Trunk, including the rear seats
when f olded down
Center pocket Door and seat-back pockets
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, tires, and make it
unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any type of
cargo, be sure to read the f ollowing
pages. If equipped
:
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
259
GLOVE BOX
CENTER POCKET
TRUNK DOOR POCKETS
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT SEAT-BACK POCKET
: If equipped
——y

y
(#yy
2009 Civic Sedan

µ
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (385 kg) f or U.S.A, 395 kg
for Canada. Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
Label Example Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(3)
(2)
(1)
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
260
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.
\f—\f—\fy

\f

y
(#\fy\fy
2009 Civic Sedan

µ·
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 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
calculated 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
your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both
areonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
(4)
(5)
(6)
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
261
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs)
Max Load (850 lbs)
Max Load (850 lbs)
Max Load (850 lbs)
Cargo Weight
(550 lbs)
Cargo Weight
(250 lbs)
Cargo Weight
(100 lbs)
\f—\f—\fy

\fy
(#\fy\fy
2009 Civic Sedan

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If youfolddownthebackseat,tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
Do not put any items on top of the
trunk panel. They can block your
view and be thrown around the
vehicle during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
underneath and interf ere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver’s ability to operate the
pedals.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop. 51
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Cargo
262
\f—\f—\fy

\f
y
(#\fy\fy
2009 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 .264
........................
Preparing to Drive .265
.......................
Starting the Engine .266
...................
Manual Transmission .267
..............
Automatic Transmission .270
...........................................
Parking .274
.............................
Braking System .275
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .276
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ........
Control (ESC), System .278
Tire Pressure Monitoring ........................
System (TPMS) .280
...........................
Towing a Trailer .283
Driving
Driving
263
\f—\f—\fy

\fy
(#\fy\fy
2009 Civic Sedan

Because of the low-prof ile tires
f itted to your vehicle, the alloy
wheels are closer to the ground.
Driving over a pothole or road
debris at too high a speed can
seriously damage a wheel. Slow
down under these conditions.
Curbs and steep inclines could
damage the f ront and rear
bumpers. Low curbs that do not
affect the average vehicle may be
high enough to hit the bumper on
your vehicle. The f ront or rear
bumper may scrape when trying to
drive onto an incline, such as a
steep driveway or trailer ramps.
Use caution if you ever drive your
vehicleonveryroughorrutted
roads. You could damage the
suspension and underbody by
bottoming out. Going too f ast over
parking lot ‘‘speed bumps’’ can
also cause damage.
Your vehicle is designed to give you
optimum handling and perf ormance
on well-maintained roads. As part of
this design, your vehicle has a
minimum of ground clearance and
very low-prof ile tires.
Driving Guidelines
Si model
264
\f—\f—\fy

\f\fy
(#\fy\fy
2009 Civic Sedan

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your vehicle.
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure (see page ).
1.
2.
3. 4. 9.
8.
7.
6.
5. 10.
14
57
324 93
104 77
Preparing to Drive
Driving
265
\f—\f—\fy

\f\fy
(#\fy\f\fy
2009 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
266
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.
79
——y

y
(#y
y
2009 Civic Sedan

CONT INUED
The manual transmission is
synchronized in all f orward gears f or
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from fifth to
reverse.On vehicles with 6-speed manual
transmission, the lockout system
prevents you f rom shif ting directly
from any forward gear to reverse
while the vehicle is moving at a
certain speed (see page ).
When shif ting up or down, make
sure you push the clutch pedal down
all the way, shif t to the next gear,
and let the pedal up gradually. When
you are not shif ting, do not rest your
f oot on the clutch pedal. This cancause your clutch to wear out f aster.
Come to a full stop before you shift
into reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into reverse, or shif t into one
of the f orward gears f or a moment.
This stops the gears so they won’t
‘‘grind.’’
269
The engine can be damaged if
you inadvertently downshif t into the wrong gear (f or example, going f romthird gear at high rpms to second gearinstead of upshif ting to f ourth gear; theengine speed limiter will not work in thissituation).
On models with manual transmission
Manual T ransmission
Driving
267
NOTE:
Except Si Si
\f—\f—\fy


\fy
(#\fy\fy
2009 Civic Sedan