HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK 2003 7.G Owners Manual

Honda dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
Service Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in this way.
If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact your Honda
Customer Relations Of f ice.U.S. Owners:
Canadian Owners:
In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation:
Vehicle Identif ication Number
(see page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your car
Date of purchase
Mileage on your car
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
car to you 248
Cust omer Relat ions Inf ormat ion
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions
262 CUSTOMER RELATIONS
RELATIONS AVEC LA CLIENTÉLE
Honda Canada Inc.
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B 2K8
Tel: 1-888-9-HONDA-9
Fax: Toll-free 1-877-939-0909 Toronto (416) 287-4776 Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00919-0816
(787) 250-4318
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, California 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 999-1009

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Your new Honda is covered by these
warranties:
provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom a Honda dealer.
a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
covered f or the usef ul lif e of the
vehicle.
covers all genuine
Honda replacement parts against
defects in materials and workman-
ship.
genuine Honda Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other f actors.
Please read your warranty manual
f or details. all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit.
this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a
replacement battery. covers
your new car, except for the battery,
emissions control systems, and
accessories, against def ects in
materials and workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your car’s emis-
sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
inf ormation. provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the
vehicle.
Please ref er to the 2003 Warranty
Manual that came with your car.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2003 Honda Warranty Inf ormation
booklet that came with your car f or
precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your Honda’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty inf or-
mation is in a separate booklet.
Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty
Accessory Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant y
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit ed Warranty
New Car Limited Warranty
Emissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty Replacement Muf f ler L if et ime
Limited WarrantyU.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Warranty Coverages
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions263

To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Saf ety Hotline toll-f ree
at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
Washington D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Washington,
D.C. 20590. You can also obtain
other inf ormation about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it f inds that a saf ety def ect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may
order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
If you believe that your car has a
def ect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inf orm the
National Highway Traf f ic Saf ety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions
Reporting Saf ety Def ects (U.S. Vehicles)
264

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Valid only f or sales within the U.S. Canadian owners shouldcontact their authorized Honda dealer.
The f ollowing publications covering the operation and
servicingof yourcarcanbeobtainedfromHelm
Incorporated, either by f illing out the attached f orm or,
f or credit card holders, calling the toll-f ree phone number
on the f orm. For manuals prior to the year shown below,
contact Helm Incorporated, P.O. Box 07280, Detroit,
Michigan 48207, or call 1-800-782-4356.
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
265
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
OR
(NOTE: For Credit Card Holder Orders Only)
MINIMUM CREDIT CARD PURCHASE $10.00
Publication
Form Number 61S5T01
61S5T01EL 61S5T30
31S5T610
31S5TQ00 HON-R Price
Each
$70.00 $50.00$44.00$34.00$10.00
FREE
Form Description
2002-03 Honda Civic 3 Door Service Manual
2002-03 Honda Civic 3 Door
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2002-03 Honda Civic 3 Door Body Repair Manual
2003 Honda Civic 3 Door Owner’s Manual
2003 Honda Civic 3 Door
Quick Start Guide
Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired PUBLICATION NUMBER
VEHICLE MODEL
Name Year Qty
Price
Each Total
Price
GRAND TOTAL
HANDLING CHARGE
Mich. Purchases
Add 6% Sales Tax
TOTAL MATERIAL
$6.00
Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. 6:00 P.M. EST
By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can
pay by check or money order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to
Helm Incorporated at the address shown on the back of the order form.
Prices are subject to change without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Orders are mailed within 10 days. Please
allow adequate time for delivery.
Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
obligation.

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( % ) $
%."#)
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your car.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
266 NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name
Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator . 58, 235
............................
Jump Starting . 230
..............................
Maintenance . 184
............................
Specif ications . 251
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 127
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,43
...........................
Beverage Holders . 90
.................................
Body Repairs . 220
Brakes
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 128
...........................................
Fluid . 177
.....................
Light, Burned-out . 207
.........................................
Parking . 89
.................
System Indicator . 59, 238
........................
Wear Indicators . 147
.............................
Braking System . 147
........................
Break-in, New Car . 128
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 67
........................
Brights, Headlights . 66
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 135
................................
Accessories . 135
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 136
............................
Modif ications . 136
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) . 73
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 92
Adding
................................
Brake Fluid . 178
...............................
Clutch Fluid . 178
..........................
Engine Coolant . 171
..................................
Engine Oil . 167
....
Manual Transmission Fluid . 177
........
Windshield Washer Fluid . 176
Additional Inf ormation About .......................
Your Seat Belts . 43
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 43
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 45
..
Seat Belt System Components . 43
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags . 46
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 51
How the Passenger Airbag
..........
Cutoff Indicator Works . 49 How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work . 46
....................
Airbag Components . 46
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 168
Adjustments
..........................
Head Restraints . 82
.........................................
Mirrors . 88
.............................................
Seats . 81
...........................
Steering Wheel . 71
...............................
Airbag (SRS) . 9, 46
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 179
................
Air Conditioning System . 96
..............................
Maintenance . 189
............................................
Usage . 96
.........................
Air Outlets (Vents) . 98
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 193
..................
High Speed Driving . 194
.........................
Normal Driving . 194
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 254
......................................
Antif reeze . 171
Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock . 73
..........................
Appearance Care . 213
................................
Audio System . 104
Index
A B
I

Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights . 206
..................................
Stop Light . 206
......................
Cargo Area Light . 211
................
Front Parking Lights . 205
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 204
.................................
Headlights . 202
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 207
...........................
Interior Lights . 210
.................
License Plate Lights . 209
..................
Side Marker Lights . 204
...........
Side Turn Signal Lights . 208
............................
Specif ications . 251
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 203
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 202
.........
Cables, Jump Starting With . 230
............................
Capacities Chart . 250
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 52
...........................
Cargo Area Cover . 84
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 137
Cassette Player
............................................
Care . 122
...................................
Operation . 119 ..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer . 115
.......................................
CD Player . 113
........................
Certif ication Label . 248
............................................
Chains . 199
Change Oil
........................................
How to . 169
......................................
When to . 158
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 223
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 173
...
Charging System Indicator . 58, 235
Checking
.....................
Battery Condition . 184
................................
Brake Fluid . 178
...............................
Clutch Fluid . 178
.................................
Drive Belts . 192
..........................
Engine Coolant . 133
..................................
Engine Oil . 132
..........................................
Fuses . 241
....
Manual Transmission Fluid . 177
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 142
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 20
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 179
Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels . 216
...................................
Carpeting . 216 ......................................
Exterior . 214
.........................................
Fabric . 217
.......................................
Interior . 216
...................................
Seat Belts . 218
...........................................
Vinyl . 217
....................................
Windows . 218
.........................
Clock, Setting the . 109
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 178
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 256
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 143
..............................
Compact Spare . 222
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 171
....................................
Checking . 133
.........................
Proper Solution . 171
...................................
Replacing . 173
...................
Temperature Gauge . 64
....................
Corrosion Protection . 219
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System . 256
...............................
Cruise Control . 124
Index
C
II

CONT INUED
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard . 2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 67
...........
Dead Battery, What to Do . 230
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 264
........................
Def og and Def rost . 101
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 70
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 101
....................................
Dimensions . 250
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 66
Dipstick
..................................
Engine Oil . 132
..........................
Directional Signals . 68
.....
Disabled, Towing Your Car If . 245
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 147
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 170
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 75
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 252
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission . 144
.....................................
Drive Belts . 192
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5 ...........................................
Driving . 141
....................................
Economy . 134
.........................
In Bad Weather . 151
................
In Foreign Countries . 255
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 134
............
Emergencies on the Road . 221
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 230
...........
Brake System Indicator . 238
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 223
.....
Charging System Indicator . 235
..................
Checking the Fuses . 241
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 234
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 236
..................
Overheated Engine . 232
...........................
Emergency Brake . 89
......................
Emergency Flashers . 70
......................
Emergency Towing . 245
.......................
Emissions Controls . 256Engine
............................................
Belts . 192
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 64
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 59, 236 ........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 58, 234
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 167
...............................
Overheating . 232
............................
Specif ications . 250
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 145
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 254
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 256
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 18
..................
Exterior,Cleaningthe .214
............................
Fabric, Cleaning . 217
.....................................
Fan, Interior . 96
Features, Comfort and
................................
Convenience . 95
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 129
Filter
................................
Air Cleaner . 179
...............................................
Oil . 169
Index
E
F
D
III

...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 248
......
If Your Car Has to be Towed . 245
Ignition
..............................................
Keys . 72
...........................................
Switch . 72
5-speed Manual Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 177
................................
Shif ting the . 144
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 70
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 223
Fluids
..........................................
Brake . 177
.........................................
Clutch . 177
..............
Manual Transmission . 177
..................
Windshield Washer . 176
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception . 111
...........................
Folding Rear Seat . 83
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 255
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 70
Front End, Towing by
................
Emergency Wrecker . 245
.................................................
Fuel . 128
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 129
...........................................
Gauge . 63
................
Octane Requirement . 128
...............................
Oxygenated . 254
........................
Reserve Indicator . 60
........................
Tank, Filling the . 129
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 241 ...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 134
..........................................
Gasohol . 254
.........................................
Gasoline . 128
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 60
...........................................
Gauge . 63
................
Octane Requirement . 128
........................
Tank, Filling the . 129
................
Gas Station Procedures . 129
Gauges
Engine Coolant
...........................
Temperature . 64
...............................................
Fuel . 63
Gearshif t Lever Positions 5-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission . 144
..............................
Glass Cleaning . 218
........................................
Glove Box . 90
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 202
Hatch
.................................
Opening the . 80
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 70 Headlights
............
Daytime Running Lights . 67
..................
High Beam Indicator . 59
...........
High Beams, Turning on . 66
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 66
........................
Reminder Beeper . 66
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 202
...................................
Turning on . 66
..............................
Head Restraints . 82
.......................
Heating and Cooling . 96
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 143
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 66
....................................
Hood Latch . 181
.......................
Hood, Opening the . 130
..............................................
Horn .3,65
.......
Hot Coolant, Warning about . 171
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch . 178
.................................
Hydroplaning . 152
Index
G H I
IV

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys . 72 ........................
Jacking up the Car . 224
.......................................
Jack, Tire . 223
................................
Jump Starting . 230 ..................................
Maintenance . 153
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 165
................................
Record . 163, 164
..........................................
Saf ety . 154
.............................
Schedule . 158-162
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 59, 236
...................
Manual Transmission . 144
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 177
...............................
Meters, Gauges . 63
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 254
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting . 88
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 128
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds . 145
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 248
............
Timing Control System . 257
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicator Lights, Instrument
.............................................
Panel . 57
...............................
Inf ant Restraint . 28
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 193
..................
High Speed Driving . 194
.........................
Normal Driving . 194
...................................
Inside Mirror . 88
.............................
Inspection, Tire . 195
............................
Instrument Panel . 57
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 67
...........................
Interior Cleaning . 216
.................................
Interior Lights . 93
........................................
Introduction . i .......................
Label, Certif ication . 248
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 68
..........................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 43
.........
Leaking of Exhaust into Car . 52
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement . 202
.......................................
Indicator . 57
.........................................
Parking . 89
..................................
Turn Signal . 68
.....................................
Load Limit . 138
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 73
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 73
............................
Fuel Fill Door . 129
............................................
Hatch . 80
........................
Low Coolant Level . 133
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator . 60
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 145
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 58, 234
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 250
.........................................
Luggage . 137
Index
J K LM
NV