The service and repair manual for the 1988 Honda Civic — 1.6L I4 and 1.5L I4 engines, 8 trims. Matched to this exact model year, so the specifications and sequences are the ones Honda published for your car, not figures carried over from a neighbouring year.
01 / FitmentWhat this manual covers
| Model year | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.6L I4 — 97 cu in, SOHC 1.5L I4 — 91 cu in, SOHC |
| Trims | RT 4WD Wagon 4-Door · DX Hatchback 2-Door · DX Sedan 4-Door · SE Hatchback 2-Door · Base Wagon 4-Door · LX Sedan 4-Door +2 |
| Federal record | 4 recalls · 51 complaints · 4 technical service bulletins (refreshed 2026-08-21) |
02 / InsideSample pages from the 1988 Civic manual
03 / ContentsSections in the manual
- Quick Lookups 31
- General Information 1,368
- Accessories & Equipment 70
- Heating, Ventilation & A/C (HVAC) 78
- Body & Frame 18
- Maintenance 54
- Brakes 43
- Drivelines & Axles 20
- Steering 79
- Electrical 141
- Suspension 69
- Engine Mechanical 192
- Transmission 81
- Engine Performance 543
- All Models 37
04 / Known issuesRecalls on federal record for the 1988 Civic
- Equipment — other › owners/service/other manual · 87V171000Vehicles manual information does not comply with fmvss210.
- Vehicle Speed Control — cruise control · 87V173000Higher than normal idle could create potential for lossof vehicle control.
- Exterior Lighting — headlights · 09E025000Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
- Exterior Lighting · 09E012000Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Owners have filed 51 complaints and Honda has issued 4 technical service bulletins for the 1988 Civic. The manual carries the manufacturer's diagnostic and repair procedures behind these systems.
FAQQuestions about the 1988 Civic manual
Is this manual specific to the 1988 Civic?
Yes. It is the OEM manual matched to the 1988 model year, covering the 1.6L I4 and 1.5L I4 across the RT 4WD Wagon 4-Door, DX Hatchback 2-Door, DX Sedan 4-Door, SE Hatchback 2-Door, Base Wagon 4-Door, LX Sedan 4-Door, Wagovan Wagon 4-Door, Base Hatchback 2-Door trims. Specifications and procedure sequences are the ones Honda published for this year.
What 1988 Civic problems does it help with?
4 recalls are on federal record for the 1988 Civic, covering equipment, vehicle speed control, exterior lighting. The manual carries the manufacturer's diagnostic and repair procedures for those systems; the recall repairs themselves are done free by Honda dealers.
Does it include 1988 Civic wiring diagrams?
Yes — the complete wiring diagrams for the 1988 build, alongside repair procedures, specifications and diagnostics.
Is it a subscription?
No. $29.99 once and the manual is yours. It is a digital manual — nothing ships; access details arrive by email after checkout and it works on any device.
RelatedOther Civic years and 1988 Honda models
1994 Civic · 1993 Civic · 1992 Civic · 1991 Civic · 1990 Civic · 1989 Civic · 1987 Civic · 1986 Civic · 1985 Civic · 1984 Civic · 1983 Civic · 1982 Civic · all 43 years
1988 Honda Accord · 1988 Honda CRX · 1988 Honda Prelude · every 1988 model