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 Hybrid.
The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid is a passenger car equipped with an automatic transmission utilizing variable gear ratios and an engine requiring 3.4 quarts of 0W-20 API oil, a specification paired with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 40 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, and 42 mpg combined. With 979 owner complaints and seven recalls on record, its most reported concern falls squarely in the air bag category, marking that system as the dominant trouble spot for researchers to monitor. Within the 2004–2025 Civic Hybrid complaint history, the 2008 model follows the line’s 2006 peak of 1,457 complaints, positioning it in a period of moderating but still substantial owner-reported volume relative to the nameplate’s later years.
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 Note the factory serpentine belt is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Overall length | 176.8 in |
| Overall width | 68.9 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 2875 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 58.3 / 59.4 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 60/40 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 40 / 45 / 42 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 91 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
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 Honda Civic Hybrid occupies the tail end of a high-volume complaint arc that began with a massive spike in 2006, where federal records show 1,457 complaints compared to the 2008 figure of 980. Although complaint volume decreased from the 2006 peak and recalls dropped from 17 to 7, the 2008 model year still exhibits significantly higher distress than the subsequent 2009 model, which recorded only 423 complaints. Specific federal data for 2008 highlights Air Bags as the leading complaint area with 163 reports, followed by Engine issues with 131 reports, while the data does not specify the root cause of these failures. This placement implies that while the most severe generation-wide issues may have peaked earlier, the 2008 model has not yet reached the stability seen in later years like 2011, which dropped to 166 complaints. Consequently, while recall activity has moderated relative to 2006, the persistent elevation in complaints suggests this is not the optimal year to buy within this generation.
All 979 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall…
Showing 5 of 81 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.
EPA figures are 40 city / 45 highway / 42 combined mpg.