HONDA ACCORD SEDAN 2001 Owner's Manual (in English)

If Your Engine Overheats
4. If the temperature gauge stays at the red mark, turn off the engine.
5. Wait until you see no more signs of steam or spray, then open the

hood.

6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks, such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see Emergency
Towing on page 320).
7. If you don't find an obvious leak, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page 184). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
8. If there was no coolant in the reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, before check- ing the radiator.
9. Using gloves or a large heavy cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first 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. 10. Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial tomaximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the filler neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and refilled with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.

11. 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 Emergency
Towing on page 320.)
12. 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.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
Removing the radiator cap

while the engine is hot can

cause the coolant to spray out, seriously scalding you.

Always let the engine and radiator cool down before

removing the radiator cap.

Low Oil Pressure Indicator

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR

This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure dropped very low for 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.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.

1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 182). 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.

3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 234). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can continue driving. (See Emergency
Towing on page 320.)
Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICE

Charging System Indicator

This indicator should come on when the ignition switch is ON (II), and goout after the engine starts. If it
conies on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
defogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated controls such as the power windows.Keep the engine running and takeextra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly. 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.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR

Malfunction Indicator Lamp

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP

(For
L4-
LEV)

This indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). 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 feel no difference in your car's performance, it can reduce
your fuel economy and cause your car to put out excessive emissions.
Continued operation may cause
serious damage.
(For V6 and L4- ULEV)

This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after 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 feel no difference in

your car's performance, it can
reduce your fuel economy and cause
your car to put out excessive
emissions. Continued operation may

cause serious damage.

If you have recently refueled your

car, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or

missing fuel fill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks several

times. Replace the fuel fill cap if it is

missing. Tightening the cap will not

make the indicator turn off

immediately; it takes at least three
driving trips. If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, or the fuel 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.
You should also have the dealer inspect your car if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn off as you continue driving.

If you keep driving with the
malfunction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your car's emissions controls and engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your car's warranties.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICE

Malfunction Indicator Lamp

Readiness Codes
Your car has certain "readiness codes" that are part of the on-board
diagnostics for 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 severaldays of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
If possible, do not take your car for a
state emissions test until the
readiness codes are set. See State
Emissions Testing on page 336.
(For V6 and L4-ULEV)
To check if they are set, turn the ignition ON (II), but do not start
the engine. The Malfunction
Indicator Lamp will come on for
20 seconds. If it then goes off,
the readiness codes are set. If it blinks 5 times, the readiness
codes are not set. See State
Emissions Testing on pages 301 and
302.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

Brake System Indicator

BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
The Brake System Indicator normally comes on when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
fully release the parking brake. If 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 fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on the brake pedal to see if it feels
normal. If it does, check the brake
fluid level the next time you stop at a service station (see page 251). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your dealer and have the brake system
inspected for leaks or worn brake

pads.

However, if the brake pedal does not
feel 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 feel the brake pedalgo down much farther before 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 shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. Youshould have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See Emergency
Towing on page 320 .)
If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, driveslowly and cautiously.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

*U.S. indicator shown

Closing the Moonroof

If the electric motor will not close
the moonroof, do the following:
1. Check the fuse for the moonroof motor (see page 315). If the fuse
is blown, replace it with one of the
same or lower rating.
2. Try closing the moonroof. If the new fuse blows immediately or themoonroof motor still does not
operate, you can close the
moonroof manually.
3. Get the moonroof wrench out of the tool kit in the trunk. ROUND PLUG
4. Use a screwdriver or coin to remove the round plug in the
center of the headliner.
SOCKET

5. Insert the moonroof wrench into the socket behind this plug. Turn
the wrench until the moonroof is

fully closed.

6. Remove the wrench. Replace the
round plug.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

Fuses

All the electrical circuits in your car have fuses to protect them from ashort circuit or overload. These
fuses are located in three fuse boxes.
The interior fuse boxes are locatedon each side of the dashboard. To
open an interior fuse box, open thecar door. Pull the cover open, then
take it out of its hinges by pulling it toward you.
UNDER-HOOD

TAB

The under-hood fuse box is located in the back of the engine compart-
ment on the passenger's side. Toopen it, push the tabs as shown.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

INTERIOR

Fuses

Checking and Replacing Fuses
If something electrical in your carstops working, the first thing you
should check for is a blown fuse.
Determine from the chart on pages 318 and 319, or the diagram on the
fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses control that component. Check those
fuses first, but check all the fuses
before deciding that a blown fuse is not the cause. Replace any blown
fuses and check the component's
operation.

1. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
2. Remove the cover from the fuse box. 3. Check each of the large fuses in
the under-hood fuse box by
looking through the top at the wireinside. Removing these fuses
requires a Phillips-head screw-
driver.
FUSE PULLER

4. Check the smaller fuses in the under-hood fuse box and all the
fuses in the interior fuse boxes by pulling out each fuse with the fuse

puller provided in the under-hood
fuse box.

Taking Care of the Unexpected BLOWN

Fuses

BLOWN

5. Look for a burned wire inside the fuse. If it is burned, replace it withone of the spare fuses of the same
rating or lower. If you cannot drive the car without
fixing the problem, and you do not
have a spare fuse, take a fuse of the same rating or a lower rating from
one of the other circuits. Make sure
you can do without that circuit temporarily (such as the cigarette
lighter or radio).
If you replace the blown fuse with aspare fuse that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not
indicate anything wrong. Replace the
fuse with one of the correct rating as soon as you can.
Replacing a fuse with one that has a
higher rating greatly increases the
chances of damaging the electrical
system. If you do not have a replace-
ment fuse with the proper rating for the
circuit, install one with a lower rating.

6. If the replacement fuse of the same rating blows in a short time,
there is probably a serious electrical problem in your car.
Leave the blown fuse in that
circuit and have your car checked
by a qualified mechanic.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICE