1996 Honda Civic Owner's Manual - Page 90

Break-in Period, Gasoline Break-in Period Help assure your car's future reliability and performance by paying extra attention to how you drive during the first 1,000 km (600 miles). During this period: Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid acceleration. If you need to add oil, use the engine oil recommended in this owner's manual. Avoid hard braking. New brakes need to be broken-in by moderate use for the first 300 km (200 miles). You should follow these same recommendations with an overhauled or exchanged engine, or when the brakes are relined. Gasoline Your Honda operates most effectively on unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number of 86 or higher. Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause a persistent, heavy metallic rapping noise in the engine that can lead to mechanical damage. We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent fuel system and engine deposits. Using gasoline containing lead will damage your car's emission controls. This contributes to air pollution and can void certain parts of your warranty. Oxygenated Fuels Some conventional gasolines are being blended with alcohol or an ether compound. These gasolines are collectively referred to as oxygenated fuels. To meet clean air standards, some areas of the United States and Canada use oxygenated fuels to help reduce emissions. If you use an oxygenated fuel, be sure it is unleaded and meets the minimum octane rating requirement. Before using an oxygenated fuel, try to confirm the fuel's contents. Some states/provinces require this information to be posted on the pump. Before Driving