Honda Civic. Manual — part 751

The air conditioning system uses HFC-134a (R-134a) refrigerant and
polyalkyleneglycol (PAG) refrigerant oil, which are not compatible with CFC-12
(R-12) refrigerant and mineral oil. Do not use R-12 refrigerant or mineral oil in this
system, and do not attempt to use R-12 servicing equipment; damage to the air
conditioning system or your servicing equipment will result. Use only service
equipment that is U.L.-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210
to remove R-134a from the air conditioning system.

If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service.

R-134a service equipment or vehicle air conditioning systems should not be
pressure tested or leak tested with compressed air.

Additional health and safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant and
lubricant manufacturers.

Always disconnect the negative cable from the battery whenever replacing air
conditioning parts.

Keep moisture and dirt out of the system. When disconnecting any lines, plug
or cap the fittings immediately; don't remove the caps or plugs until just before
you reconnect each line.

Before connecting any hose or line, apply a few drops of refrigerant oil to the
O-ring.

When tightening or loosening a fitting, use a second wrench to support the
matching fitting.

When discharging the system, use an R-134a refrigerant
recovery/recycling/charging station; don't release refrigerant into the
atmosphere.

conditioning systems.

CAUTION:

Air conditioning refrigerant or lubricant vapor
can irritate your eyes, nose, or throat.

Be careful when connecting service equipment.

Do not breathe refrigerant or vapor.

2008 Honda Civic EX

2006-08 HVAC Heating/Air Conditioning - Civic (All Except Hybrid)

A/C REFRIGERANT OIL REPLACEMENT

Recommended PAG oil: SP-10

P/N 38897-P13-A01AH: 120 mL (4 fl-oz)

P/N 38899-P13-A01: 40 mL (1 1/3 fl-oz)

Add the recommended refrigerant oil in the amount listed if you replace any of the
following parts.

To avoid contamination, do not return the oil to the container once dispensed,
and never mix it with other refrigerant oils.

Immediately after using the oil, reinstall the cap on the container, and seal it to
avoid moisture absorption.

Do not spill the refrigerant oil on the vehicle; it may damage the paint; if it gets
on the paint, wash it off immediately.

A/C compressor. ...Since the oil separator is equipped inside the compressor for
this vehicle, oil drainage is unnecessary at the time of compressor replacement.

A/C LINE REPLACEMENT

A/C condenser

50 mL (1 2/3 fl-oz)

Evaporator

40 mL (1 1/3 fl-oz)

Line or hose

10 mL (1/3 fl-oz)

Receiver/Dryer

10 mL (1/3 fl-oz)

Leakage repair

25 mL (5/6 fl-oz)

A/C compressor

Since the oil separator is equipped
inside the compressor for this vehicle,
oil drainage is unnecessary at the time
of compressor replacement.

2008 Honda Civic EX

2006-08 HVAC Heating/Air Conditioning - Civic (All Except Hybrid)

Fig. 4: Replacing A/C Line (With Specifications)

GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION

How to Use the Self-diagnostic Function

The HVAC control unit has a self-diagnostic function for heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning system. To run the self-diagnostic function, do the following:

2008 Honda Civic EX

2006-08 HVAC Heating/Air Conditioning - Civic (All Except Hybrid)

1. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
2. Press and hold the recirculation control and rear window defogger buttons, turn

the ignition switch ON (II).

3. Recirculation indicator turns on for 2 seconds, then self-diagnostic function

begins.

DETECTION ITEM REFERENCE

NOTE:

The blower motor will run at any speed regardless of
the dial positioning.

In the case of multiple problems, the recirculation
indicator will blink the lowest number DTC only.

If no DTCs are found, the indicator will not blink.

Fig. 5: Using Self-Diagnostic Function

Fig. 6: Example Of DTC Indication Pattern (DTC3)

DTC (Recirculation

Indicator Blinks)

Detection Item

2008 Honda Civic EX

2006-08 HVAC Heating/Air Conditioning - Civic (All Except Hybrid)