HONDA ACCORD COUPE 2003 CL7 / 7.G Owners Manual

Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
9.
11.
12.
10.
391
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
378

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers.Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
1.
2.
3. 4.
228 294 391
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
379
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped.

By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is ON (II), and go
out af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories:radio,heater,A/C,
climate control, rear def ogger, cruise
control, etc. Try not to use other
electrically-operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running and take extra care not to
stall it. Starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Charging System Indicator
380
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. If it comes on
at any other time, it indicates one of
the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your car’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
your car to put out excessive
emissions. Continued operation may
cause serious damage.If you have recently ref ueled your
car, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks several
times. Replace the f uel f ill cap if it is
missing. Tightening the cap will not
make the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes one driving trip.
If the indicator remains on past one
driving trip, or the f uel cap was not
loose or missing, have the car
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the
dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and
driving at high speed.
Youshouldalsohavethedealer
inspect your car if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn of f as you continue driving.
This indicator may also come on
along with the ‘‘D’’ indicator.
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed381
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your car’s emissions controls
and engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your car’s warranties.

Your car has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If your car’s battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes several
days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.If possible, do not take your car f or a
state emissions test until the
readiness codes are set. Ref er to
State Emissions Testing f or more
inf ormation. (See page .)
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition ON (II), but do not start the
engine. The Malf unction Indicator
Lamp will come on f or 20 seconds. If
it then goes of f , the readiness codes
are set. If it blinks 5 times, the
readiness codes are not set.
408
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Readiness Codes
382

Î
ÎIf it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer. Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See
on page .)
The Brake System Indicator
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
f ully release the parking brake. If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
If the ABS indicator comes on with
this indicator, have the car inspected
by your Honda dealer immediately.
313
391Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed383
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
U.S. indicator shown

Get the moonroof wrench out of
the tool kit in the trunk.
If the electric motor will not close
the moonroof , do the f ollowing:
Check the f use f or the moonroof
motor (see page ). If the f use
is blown, replace it with one of the
same or lower rating.
Try closing the moonroof . If the
new f use blows immediately or the
moonroof motor still does not
operate, you can close the
moonroof manually. To remove the round plug in the
center of the headliner, turn the
plug by using a screwdriver or
coin, then pry it out. Make sure to
align the tabs on the round plug to
the notches on the ceilling as
shown in the illustration. Insert the moonroof wrench
securely into the socket behind
this plug. Hold the longer handle
as shown and turn the wrench
slowly until the moonroof is f ully
closed.
5.
4.
3. 1.
2. 390
On EX and EX-V6 models
Closing t he Moonroof
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed384
SOCKET
ROUND PLUG TAB
NOTCH

Remove the wrench. Reinstall the
round plug.
If you need to close the moonroof
manually, it means your car’s
moonroof opening/closing f unction
is developing a problem. Have your
car checked by a Honda dealer. 6.
Closing t he Moonroof
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed385

All the electrical circuits in your car
have fuses to protect them from a
short circuit or overload. These
f uses are located in two f use boxes.The under-hood f use box is located
near the back of the engine compart-
ment on the driver’s side. To open it,
pushthetabsasshown. Remove the cover f rom the f use
box. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
If something electrical in your car
stops working, the f irst thing you
should check f or is a blown f use.
Determine f rom the chart on pages
and , or the diagram on the
f use box lid, which f use or f uses
control that component. Check those
f uses f irst, but check all the f uses
bef ore deciding that a blown f use is
not the cause. Replace any blown
f uses and check the component’s
operation.
The interior f use box is on the
driver’s lower lef t side. To remove
the f use box lid, put your f inger in
the notch on the lid, and pull it
upward slightly, then pull it toward
you and take it out of its hinges. 1.
2.390
389
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Checking and Replacing Fuses
386
INTERIOR UNDER-HOOD
TAB
NOTCH

Check each of the large f uses in
the under-hood f use box by
looking through the side window
at the wire inside. Removing these
f uses requires a Phillips-head
screwdriver.Check the smaller f uses in the
under-hood f use box and all the
fuses in the interior fuse box by
pulling out each f use with the f use
puller provided in the under-hood
fuse box.
3.
4.
CONT INUED
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed387
BLOWNBLOWN
FUSE PULLER