Honda Civic Owners' Guide

The Honda Civic is a sporty-looking compact car manufactured since 1972.  From humble beginnings as a two-door saloon, it has evolved into one of the most popular hatchbacks in the UK with an impressive 11 generations under its belt.  

This owners’ guide compiles key information about your Civic in one convenient place, covering service intervals, recommended tyre pressures, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you keep your car running smoothly. 

Honda Civic generations

Honda Civic 1972-1979 

The first generation of the Civic debuted in 1972 and arrived in Europe in 1975. It had a compact design and featured Honda’s innovative CVCC engine, which met emissions standards without requiring a catalytic converter.  

Body styles: 

• Two-door saloon 

• Three-door hatchback 

Key engine options: 

• 1.2-litre petrol (approx. 50-60bhp) 

Honda Civic 1979-1983 

This Civic generation introduced a five-door hatchback to Europe. The car featured a more angular design, bigger dimensions, and improved comfort and practicality. It came with a 1335cc engine as standard.   

Fuel economy (FE) and sporty S versions were introduced, giving drivers more options than ever. 

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Five-door hatchback 

• Four-door saloon 

• Five-door estate 

Key engine options: 

• 1.3-litre petrol (approx. 60-70bhp) 

Honda Civic 1983-1987 

The third-generation Civic had classic 1980s angular styling, and the sporty CRX version became a cult performance car thanks to its exceptional design and high-powered engine. Honda introduced a 4WD option and a six-speed manual gearbox in ‘84.   

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Four-door saloon 

• Five-door estate 

• Two-door coupe 

Key engine options: 

• 1.3-litre petrol (approx. 70bhp) 

• 1.5-litre petrol (approx. 85bhp) 

• 1.6-litre petrol (up to 160bhp) 

Honda Civic 1987-1991 

The next generation of the Civic had a much softer shape than its predecessor. Double-wishbone suspension became standard, and fuel injection was introduced.  

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Four-door saloon 

• Five-door estate 

• Two-door coupe 

Key engine options: 

• 1.4-litre petrol (approx. 75bhp) 

• 1.5-litre petrol (approx. 90bhp) 

• 1.6-litre petrol (up to 160bhp) 

Honda Civic 1991-1995 

Honda completely redesigned the Civic in 1991 with a new aerodynamic look that was bold for the time. Safety enhancements were introduced in ‘94, including standard passenger airbags and optional ABS. 

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Four-door saloon 

• Two-door coupe 

Key engine options: 

• 1.3-litre petrol (approx. 75bhp) 

• 1.5-litre petrol (approx. 90bhp) 

• 1.6-litre petrol (up to 160bhp) 

Honda Civic 1995-2000 

This iteration of the Civic was bigger than the previous generation, marking a step away from the compact supermini segment and towards family hatchbacks. It was the first generation to have a CD player. 

Honda introduced the high-performance Civic Type R (the ’R’ stands for racing) in ‘97.  

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Five-door hatchback 

• Five-door estate 

• Four-door saloon 

• Two-door coupe 

Key engine options: 

• 1.4-litre petrol (approx. 75bhp) 

• 1.5-litre petrol (approx. 90bhp) 

• 1.6-litre petrol (approx. 160bhp) 

• 1.8-litre petrol (approx. 140bhp) 

• 2.0-litre diesel (approx. 85bhp) 

Honda Civic 2000-2005 

This generation introduced a taller, more spacious design with better practicality. The double-wishbone suspension system was replaced with a MacPherson strut design, delivering a more comfortable ride. All in all, the seventh generation of the Civic was designed primarily with families in mind. 

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Five-door hatchback 

• Two-door coupe 

Key engine options: 

• 1.4-litre petrol (approx. 75bhp) 

• 1.6-litre petrol (approx. 110bhp) 

• 1.7-litre diesel (approx. 100bhp) 

• 2.0-litre petrol (approx. 197bhp) 

Honda Civic 2005-2011 

Honda opted for a futuristic design with the eighth-generation Civic and an award-winning ergonomic interior. Different body styles were introduced to different markets. 

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Five-door hatchback 

• Four-door saloon 

Key engine options: 

• 1.4-litre petrol (approx. 83bhp) 

• 1.8-litre petrol (approx. 140bhp) 

• 2.2-litre diesel (approx. 140bhp) 

• 2.0-litre petrol (approx. 197bhp) 

Honda Civic 2011-2017 

The ninth generation saw the introduction of Honda’s Eco Assist technology, improving fuel economy by an impressive 10%. Further efficiency improvements resulted from an overall weight reduction and better aerodynamics. 

Body styles: 

• Five-door hatchback 

• Five-door estate 

Key engine options: 

• 1.4-litre petrol (approx. 100bhp) 

• 1.8-litre petrol (approx. 140bhp) 

• 1.6-litre diesel (approx. 120bhp) 

• 2.2-litre diesel (approx. 150bhp) 

Honda Civic 2017-2022 

The exterior of the tenth-generation Civic was radically different from what came before. It came with more high-tech infotainment and safety options as standard than any other car in its class.  

A facelift in 2020 brought minor styling changes and a new EX Sport Line trim. 

Body styles: 

• Five-door hatchback 

• Four-door saloon 

Key engine options: 

• 1.0-litre turbo petrol (124bhp) 

• 1.5-litre turbo petrol (180bhp) 

• 1.6-litre diesel (120bhp) 

• 2.0-litre turbo petrol (316bhp) 

Honda Civic 2022-present 

The eleventh generation of the Civic embraces hybrid technology with an e:HEV system, offering efficient performance. The Type R is arguably one of the best hot hatches ever created – though the less sporty models are still very impressive, as proved by the fact that the Civic has reached its eleventh generation. 

Body styles: 

• Five-door hatchback 

Key engine options: 

• 2.0-litre e:HEV hybrid petrol (approx. 181bhp) 

• 2.0-litre turbo petrol (approx. 316bhp) 

Service intervals

The following maintenance schedule is taken from a Honda Civic e:HEV handbook. The recommended intervals can vary depending on your car’s age and configuration. Check your owner’s manual for information specific to your model.  

Honda service reminder system 

Modern Civics come with a service reminder system. It monitors various engine parts and systems to detect when a service is needed and then triggers a dashboard alert to inform the driver. Different service items are represented by a code and an icon.  

This system means you don’t have to worry about counting miles or tracking how much time has passed since your last service. 

Routine inspections 

Honda recommends completing the following routine inspections on your Civic. 

Want to learn more about vehicle servicing? Check out the following guides: 

• What's the difference between a full service and an interim service? 

• How much should a full service cost? 

• How much should an interim service cost? 

• The ultimate guide to car maintenance 

Tyre pressure

What are the tyre pressures for a Honda Civic? 

The recommended tyre pressure varies depending on the spec and engine of your car. The table below shows tyre sizes and pressures listed for the Civic on TyrePressures.com. However, you should always check this information before adjusting your tyres.

You can find the correct pressure for your Civic: 

• In the vehicle handbook/owner’s manual. 

• Printed on the sill of the driver’s door. 

• On the inside of the fuel tank cap. 

Read our guide to tyre pressure for more information. 

How to reset a Honda Civic tyre pressure warning light 

The method of resetting the tyre pressure light varies depending on which Civic generation you have. The steps below apply to 2017-2022 models. You can find detailed instructions in your owner’s manual.  

• Switch the ignition on without starting the engine.  

• Press the home button on the central infotainment screen.  

• Press ‘settings’, then navigate to ‘vehicle’.  

• Press ‘deflation warning system’.  

• Select ‘initialise’.  

• Press ‘calibration start’ followed by ‘OK’.  

• Start the engine. The tyre pressure warning light should no longer be illuminated. 

Engine oil

It’s crucial to use the correct engine oil for your car – find out why in this guide.  

0W-20 oil is commonly used in Honda’s petrol models; 0W-30 is used in diesels.  

However, the recommended oil grade can vary between different Civic configurations and depending on whether the car uses petrol or diesel. Your owner’s manual will provide information about the correct oil for your vehicle. 

What is the oil capacity of a Honda Civic? 

Oil capacity varies depending on the size of your engine. Most Civic models have a capacity of between three and six litres. 

Before changing your oil, check this information in your owner’s manual to ensure you don’t overfill the system. 

Need help checking and topping up your engine oil? Read this guide. 

How to reset the oil change light on a Honda Civic 

2022-present models 

• Switch the ignition on without starting the engine. 

• Press the home button on the steering wheel controls to bring up the car’s dashboard menu. 

• Scroll through the options and select ‘maintenance’ by pushing the scroll button in. 

• When you reach the oil life screen, press and hold the scroll button for five to ten seconds until the maintenance reset screen appears. 

• Scroll down through the reset options and select ‘all items due’. 

• You’ll see a message confirming that the reset is complete. 

Battery

What battery do I need for my Honda Civic? 

The type and size of the battery will depend on the model’s configurations. You can find this information in your owner’s manual.  

Standard petrol models (not start-stop) 

• Battery type: Lead-acid 

• Common sizes: Type 063 or 054 

Models with start-stop technology 

• Battery type: EFB or AGM 

• Common sizes: Type 096 or H5 

Hybrid models 

• Battery type: NiMH or lithium-ion, depending on the system 

• Note: These vehicles have specialised battery systems and should use OEM-specified batteries 

Things to consider when buying a battery for your Honda Civic 

• Start-Stop Systems: Models equipped with start-stop technology require Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) or Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB) due to their enhanced charge cycles and durability.    

• Battery Dimensions: It's crucial to match the battery dimensions and hold-down type to ensure proper fitment.    

• Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): Higher CCA values are beneficial for cold starts, especially in diesel engines.    

• Battery Brands: Reputable brands like Bosch, Varta, and Halfords offer batteries compatible with Honda Civic models.   

Warning lights

What do the warning lights mean on a Honda Civic? 

Dashboard warning lights are triggered by the car’s electronic control unit (ECU) when a problem is detected. You can learn some information by looking at the shape and colour of the light, but for a detailed diagnosis, you’ll usually need to book a diagnostic test. 

• Red lights indicate a severe problem. You should stop driving and contact a mechanic. 

• Yellow lights are less urgent – you can continue driving to your destination, but you should book your car into a garage. 

Learn more about car warning lights and what they mean in this guide. 

Honda Civic warning lights you might not know 

Honda Smart Entry warning light 

Some Civic models have a Smart Entry system that allows the driver to access the car and start the engine without a key as long as they have their key fob nearby.   

The Smart Entry warning light looks like a car key with a signal coming from the handle and an exclamation mark. If you see it on your dashboard, it means the system has a fault. You should book a repair as soon as possible to ensure your car remains secure. 

Honda brake pad warning light 

The brake pad warning light looks like a circle with three dashed lines on each side following the curve. It comes on when sensors detect that the brake pads are worn and need replacing.  

The light is set to switch on before the pads become dangerously thin, so you have some time to arrange a repair. You should get the pads replaced as soon as possible. 

Find out how much it costs to repair brakes. 

Spotted a warning light but don’t know what’s causing it? Don’t guess – book a diagnostic test! 

Common problems

Honda has a well-earned reputation for building some of the most reliable cars on the road. Here, we look at two common problems encountered by Civic owners. 

1. Aircon failure 

10th-generation models are known for having issues with the air conditioning system. In a WhatCar? Reliability Survey, 15.3% of Civic owners said they had experienced problems with it.  

Faulty condensers, corroded pipes and refrigerant leaks are a few leading causes. 

2. Damaged paintwork 

The paintwork on Civics – especially 2012-2017 models – is soft and easily damaged, leading to scrapes and chips. This is something to look for if you’re in the market for a used model. Check around the boot and front bumper, as these areas are often the most impacted. 

Need help diagnosing car problems? Check out the following guides for advice: 

• Diagnose car problems & find the right fix 

• Diagnose strange noises in your car & find a fix 

Top Honda Civic questions & topics

Are Honda Civics reliable cars? 

Honda generally has a strong reputation for building reliable cars, and the Civic is no exception, though there is some variability between generations.   

How to open the bonnet on a Honda Civic 

• Pull the bonnet release lever, usually located under the dashboard on the driver’s side. 

• Slide your fingers under the bonnet and push the latch to the side. 

• Open the bonnet and secure it in place. 

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• The ultimate guide to car maintenance

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• How much does an MOT cost for a Honda?

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