Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Civic.
The 2008 Honda Civic is a passenger car platform defined by its specific maintenance requirements, including a 3.4-quart oil capacity filled with 0W-20 API viscosity fluid. While this model year generated 915 total owner complaints with air bags identified as the top area of concern and seven associated recalls, it represents a distinct improvement over the generation's peak issue volume recorded in 2006. Positioned between the historical low of 1990 and the high of 2006 within the 1990–2022 complaint timeline, the 2008 model sits in a moderate reliability tier that suggests fewer systemic failures than its immediate predecessor while still requiring attention to specific safety components.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R U.S. · 310 U.S. CCA battery. Note the factory serpentine belt is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Serpentine belt | 56992RNAA04 discontinued |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 174.8 in |
| Overall width | 68.9 in |
| Overall height | 53.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in |
| Curb weight | 2597 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.1 / 59.4 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 60/40 |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Civic of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | EX Sedan 1.8L I-4 | 9.40 sec | 17.10 sec | 140 hp | FWD |
| 2007 | Si Sedan 2.0L I-4 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 197 hp | FWD |
| 2007 | Si Sedan 2.0L I-4 | 6.80 sec | 15.10 sec | 197 hp | FWD |
| 2007 | LX Sedan 1.8L I-4 | 9.60 sec | 17.30 sec | 140 hp | FWD |
| 2009 | Si Sedan 2.0L I-4 | 6.60 sec | 15.00 sec | 197 hp | FWD |
| 2009 | Si Sedan 2.0L I-4 | 6.70 sec | 15.10 sec | 197 hp | FWD |
| 2009 | LX-S Sedan 1.8L I-4 | 9.80 sec | 17.60 sec | 140 hp | FWD |
| 2006 | Si Coupe 2.0L I-4 | 6.30 sec | 14.90 sec | 197 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 3.4 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.5-3.0 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 3.4 qt |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 · API |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 33 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 86 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 17 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 33 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 17 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 33.0-36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 134 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 820 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 670 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | 710 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 750 rpm |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | .80-.98 lbs |
| Oil Type | PAG |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 0.83-0.95 lbs |
| Oil Type | SE-10Y or equivalent |
| Oil Capacity | 4.33-4.67 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 51R U.S. |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 176-183 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 48.0-55.0 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 55.0 |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 25 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 79 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 54 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 37 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 79 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.063; Rear: 0.060 in |
| Minimum Shoe Thickness | 0.079 in |
| 1 | 7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 7 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 27 ft. lbs., 90 | 27 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 51 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 | 51 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 36 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 | 36 ft. lbs |
Prep Measure the diameter of each cylinder head bolt at point A and point B. Point A = 45.00 mm from thread end and point B = 50.00 mm from thread end. If either diameter is less than 11.3 mm (0.445 in), Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.
| 1 | 22.0.0 ft. lbs. | |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 40 | 18 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 57 | 18 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2008 Civic logged 915 complaints, 7 recalls, 0 investigations, and 75 TSBs, positioning it on the descending arm of the 2006-2007 complaint surge (1,402 and 1,203 respectively) and still well above the subsequent 2009-2011 low of 395, 396, and 168. Recall activity had already dropped to 7 — the lightest figure anywhere in the surrounding generation and far below the 15-27 range seen from 2001-2006 — and NHTSA opened no formal investigations, mirroring the quiet 2006-2011 stretch. The top complaint clusters were Air Bags (153), Engine (130), Visibility (103), and Suspension (76); the data does not specify the root cause of the air bag concentration, but it is by a clear margin the single largest category and the most obvious place to focus pre-purchase verification. Crash-related filings (62) are meaningful relative to the 915-complaint base, while fire complaints (6) are low, and TSB volume (75) continues a steady decline from 103 in 2006. On balance, 2008 sits past the generation's complaint peak but before its cleaner late-2000s years, so it is a defensible used buy provided you confirm all recall work — particularly on the restraint system — has been completed and you budget a mechanical inspection for the engine and suspension.
All 915 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Showing 5 of 75 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A18-066 | 2026-06-30 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's… |
| A07-078 | 2026-01-27 | Suspension | Service Bulletin - There is a pop or clunk from the front suspension area when driving… |
| A21120B | 2023-06-13 | Electrical System | Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS… |
| A21120B | 2022-01-29 | Electrical System | ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited… |
| A20-016 | 2020-03-10 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
3.4 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.