charging HONDA CIVIC COUPE 1999 Owners Manual

Indicator Lights

The instrument panel has many indicators to give you important
information about your car.
Instruments and Controls
U.S.: EX Instrument Panel
CHARGING SYSTEMINDICATOR
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP
LOW OIL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER LIGHT
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR'
* The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian model
are noted in the text. PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
TRUNK-OPENINDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATORMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Indicator Lights

* Differences in the indicators for Canadian models are noted in the text. Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by fastening the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat

belt.

If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition.

Supplemental Restraint

System Indicator

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). If itcomes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem in thesupplemental restraint system. For
complete information, see page 47.
Instruments and Controls

U.S.: DX, Canada: LX

HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR

LOW OIL

PRESSURE

INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR'
TRUNK-OPENINDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER LIGHT
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
(Canadian LX model)
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
SRSMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Indicator Lights

Charging System
Indicator
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not

being charged. For complete
information, see page 232.

Low Oil Pressure
Indicator

The engine can be severely damaged
if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete

information, see page 232.

High Beam Indicator
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 61 for
information on the headlight

controls.

On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on (see page 61). Parking Brake
and Brake

System

Indicator
This light has two functions:
1. It lights as a reminder that you have not released the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake applied can damage the
brakes and tires.
2. If it remains lit after you release the parking brake while the engineis running, or comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete information, see page 234 .
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp

See page 233.
Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)Indicator
Only on cars equipped with ABS (see
page 153)
This light normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn theignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
the ABS. If this happens, take the car to your dealer to have it checked.
With the light on, your car still has normal braking ability but no anti-
lock.

Instruments and Controls

U.S.


Canada

BRAKE
ABS
U.S.


CanadaMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Battery
If the terminals are severely cor-roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables from
the terminals. Always disconnect the negative ( — ) cable first and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car's electrical system.
Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car's electronic controls Detach the
battery cables before connecting the battery to a charger
Maintenance
NOTICE

The battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled mechanic do the battery
maintenance.Main Menu Table of Contents s t

Air Conditioning System
Standard on EX and Si models in U. S.,
SiR model in Canada

Your car's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified mechanic. You can do a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works efficiently. Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten minutes while you are driving at asteady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant.
If the air conditioning does not get as

cold as before, have your dealer

check the system. Recharge the

system with Refrigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specifications on page 248.)

Whenever you have the air conditioning

system serviced, make sure the service

facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing

refrigerant into the atmosphere can

damage the environment.

Maintenance

NOTICE
NOTICE

AIR CONDITIONING
CONDENSERMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructions
on getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 220
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 221
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 226
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly............................. 226
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 227
Jump Starting................................. 227 If Your Engine Overheats............. 229
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 231Charging System Indicator........... 232
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 233
Brake System Indicator................ 234 Closing the Moonroof................... 235
Fuses............................................... 236 Checking and Replacing........... 237
Emergency Towing....................... 241

Taking Care of the UnexpectedMain Menu s t

Charging System Indicator

This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out after the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine is running, it indicates that thecharging 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 INDICATORMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index

Accessories and Modifications.... 130 Accessories................................. 130Additional Safety Precaution.... 131 Modifications............................. 131
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 70
Accessory Power Socket................ 85
Adding Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 180

Brake Fluid................................. 183 Clutch Fluid................................ 183
Engine Coolant........................... 175

Engine Oil................................... 171

Manual Transmission Fluid..... 182
Power Steering Fluid................. 184
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 180
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts........................ 42
Lap Belt......................................... 43
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44
Seat Belt System Components... 42 Additional Information About
Your SRS................................... 45
Additional Safety Precautions.... 48 How Your Airbags Work............ 45
How Your SRS Indicator
Works........................................ 47

SRS Components......................... 45

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 171

Adjustments
Head Restraints........................... 77

Mirrors.......................................... 81

Seats.............................................. 76

Steering Wheel............................ 65

Airbag (SRS)...................................... 9
Air Cleaner Element...................... 185 Air Conditioning............................... 88 Maintenance............................... 193
Usage............................................. 90
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 90
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 196 High Speed Driving................... 250
Normal Driving.......................... 196
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 252
Antifreeze....................................... 175
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light.................... 55, 153
Operation.................................... 152

Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock............................................... 70

Appearance Care........................... 213
Ashtrays (Optional)......................... 85

Audio System................................... 96

Automatic Speed Control................ 66
Automatic Transmission............... 140

Capacity, Fluid........................... 247

Checking Fluid Level................ 180

Shifting........................................ 141
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 140
Shift Lever Positions................. 141
Shift Lock Release..................... 144
Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 55, 232
Jump Starting............................. 227 Maintenance............................... 189
Specifications............................. 248
CONTINUEDMain Menu s t

Index

Before Driving............................... 123
Belts, Seat........................................... 8
Beverage Holder.............................. 84
Body Repair.................................... 214
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 151Break-in, New Linings .............. 124
Fluid............................................ 182
Light, Burned-out...................... 206
Parking.......................................... 82
System Indicator.......................... 55
Wear Indicators......................... 150
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 150
System Indicator................. 55, 153
Braking System.............................. 150
Break-in, New Car......................... 124
Brightness Control, Instruments... 62
Brights, Headlights......................... 61
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 207
Brake Lights ...................... 206, 207
Front Parking Lights................. 205
Front Side Marker Lights......... 205
Headlights.................................. 204
High-mount Brake Light.......... 209
Interior Light.............................. 210

License Plate Lights.................. 209

Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 206

Specifications............................. 248

Trunk Light................................ 211

Turn Signal Lights............. 205, 206
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 204
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 227
Capacities Chart............................. 247
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Carrying Cargo.............................. 132
Cassette Player
Operation.................................... 115

CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer.................................... 100
CD Player........................................ 100

Certification Label......................... 244

Chains............................................. 201

Change Oil
How to......................................... 173

When to....................................... 162

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 221
Changing Engine Coolant............. 177 Charging System Indicator.... 55, 232
Checking
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 180

Battery Condition...................... 189

Brake Fluid................................. 183

Clutch Fluid................................ 183

Drive Belts.................................. 194
Engine Coolant........................... 128
Engine Oil................................... 127

Fuses........................................... 236
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 182
Power Steering Fluid................. 184
Checklist, Before Driving............. 136
Cleaner, Air.................................... 185
Cleaning Exterior....................................... 214
Interior........................................ 216 Seat Belts.................................... 216
Vinyl............................................ 216 Windows..................................... 217
Clock, Setting the ............................ 99
Clutch Fluid.................................... 183

CO in the Exhaust......................... 254
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 137
Compact Spare............................... 220Main Menu s t

Index

Consumer Information*................ 258
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51

Coolant
Adding.........................................171

Checking..................................... 128

Proper Solution.......................... 175

Replacing.................................... 177

Temperature Gauge.................... 58

Corrosion Protection..................... 217

Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 254

Cruise Control Operation............... 66

Customer Relations Office........... 258
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii

Dashboard........................................ 52

Daytime Running Lights................. 61
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 227
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 262 Defog and Defrost........................... 93
Defogger, Rear Window................. 64
Defrosting the Windows................. 93
DEXRON® III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 181
Dimensions..................................... 246
Dimming the Headlights................ 61
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission........... 181
Engine Oil................................... 128

Directional Signals........................... 62

Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 241

Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 150
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 174
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 70Power Door Locks....................... 71
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 250
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 138
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Drive Belts...................................... 194
Driving............................................ 135
Economy..................................... 129
In Bad Weather.......................... 154
In Foreign Countries................. 253

Economy, Fuel............................... 129
Emergencies on the Road............. 219
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 227
Brake System Indicator............ 234 Changing a Flat Tire................. 221
Charging System Indicator...... 232
Checking the Fuses................... 237
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 231 Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 233
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 235
Overheated Engine................... 229
Emergency Brake............................ 82 Emergency Flashers....................... 64
Emergency Towing ........................ 241
Emissions Controls........................ 254Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 58
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................. 55, 233
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 55, 231
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 171
Overheating................................ 229
Specifications............................. 246
Engine Speed Limiter............139, 144

CONTINUEDMain Menu s t