1. that is normal - all new hondas i think from 2006 onwards were 'made' to do that or some thing - i remember reading it somewhere but i forget exactly what the rticle said.

2. an 08 will not have the boot release. Google civic fd boot release and there will prob be an ocean of sites/pages/youtube vids/DIY/etcetc - its pretty easy, cheap, and simple to do

3. just go K&N air filter everyone who used it is happy.