check engine HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK 2004 7.G User Guide
Page 128 of 215
This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 130
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 131
....................
Maintenance Record . 135
..............................
Fluid Locations . 137
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 138
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 139
..............................
Engine Coolant . 141
....................
Windshield Washers . 142
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 143
....................................
Brake Fluid . 144
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 144
....................................
Hood Latch . 145
.............................................
Lights . 145
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 153
.....................................
Floor Mats . 153
.................................
Wiper Blades . 154
...............................................
Tires . 157
...................
Checking the Battery . 162
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 163
203
Maintenance
Maint enance
129
——y
y
()y
y
Page 131 of 215
̵
µ
µ
µ
µ
Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your vehicle best and can
provide competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
skilled person to keep your
warranties in ef f ect. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
f ill out the Maintenance Record.
Check your warranty booklet f or
more inf ormation.
We recommend the use of Honda
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done. U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Honda
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you f ill the f uel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, and license plate
lights monthly. See page . 113
145114
144
157
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Servicing Your Vehicle
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.Owner’s Maintenance Checks
132
——y
y
()y
y
Page 132 of 215
ÌÌ
Ì Follow the Normal Maintenance
Schedule if the severe driving
conditions specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance Schedule on
the next page do not apply.
NOT E: If you only OCCASIONALLY
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Maint enance133
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
((OOrreevveerryy11yyeeaarr,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))
Check inflation and condition once a monthCheck oil and coolant at each fuel stop
10 16
203230484064 5080609670
112 80
128 100160
90
144
((OOrreevveerryy22yyeeaarrss,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))
130 208 140224 150240
((OOrreevveerryy11yyeeaarr,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))
((OOrreevveerryy66yyeeaarrss,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) 120 192
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage) 110176
((OOtthheerrwwiisseeaaddjjuussttoonnllyyiiffnnooiissyy))
See information on maintenance and emission warranty on page .
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 160)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brake wear
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace manual transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
: 132
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
——y
y
()y
y
Page 133 of 215
̵
ÌÌ Follow the Severe Maintenance
Schedule if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions:
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop and go driving, such as a taxi or
a commercial delivery vehicle.
Driving with a roof rack, or driving
in mountainous conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per
trip or, in f reezing temperatures,
driving less than 10 miles (16 km)
per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over 90°F
(32°C)] conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced
roads.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions.
Maint enance Canadian Owners
134 miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
((OOtthheerrwwiisseeaaddjjuussttoonnllyyiiffnnooiissyy))
((OOrreevveerryy22yyeeaarrss,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) (Use normal schedule
except in dusty conditions)
10 16
2032 304840645080 70
112 80
128 100160
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop 130208
140224
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
((OOrreevveerryy11yyeeaarr,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))
((OOrreevveerryy11yyeeaarr,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))
60 96 90
144 120192150240
((OOrreevveerryy33yyeeaarrss,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) 110 176
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage) See information on maintenance and
emission warranty on page .
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 160)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brake wear
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components, Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system , Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls/vehicle underbody
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace manual transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid :
132Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions
——y
y
()y
y
Page 137 of 215
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Install the engine oil
f ill cap, and tighten it securely. Wait
a f ew minutes, and recheck the oil
level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines’’.
The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Honda, to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
A dding Engine Oil
Recommended Engine Oil
Maint enance
138 ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API SERVICE LABEL Ambient Temperature
——y
y
()y
y
Page 139 of 215
Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available f rom your
Honda dealer) is required.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine and check your work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, and let it sit
f or several minutes, then check
the oil level. If necessary, add oil
to bring the level to the upper
mark on the dipstick.
Refill the engine with the
recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter): 9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
3. 4.
Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
140 NOTICE:
OIL FILTER
33 lbf·ft (44 N·m , 4.5 kgf·m)
4.4 US qt (4.2
) Improper disposal of engine
oil can be harmf ul to the environment.
If you change your own oil, please
dispose of the used oil properly. Put it
in a sealed container, and take it to a
recycling center. Do not discard it in a
trash bin or dump it on the ground.
——y
y
()y
y
Page 140 of 215
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
CONT INUED
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
A dding Engine Coolant
141
RESERVE TANK
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.
——y
y
()y
y
Page 141 of 215
When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
The low washer
level indicator will light when the
level is low.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
2. 3. 4. 5.
1.
On Canadian models:
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Maint enance Windshield Washers
142 NOTICE:
RADIATOR CAP
Do not use engine antif reeze
or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
——y
y
()y
y
Page 142 of 215
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt, and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt, and tighten it securely.If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your Honda dealer.
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
143
Correct level
FILLER BOLT
——y
y
()y
y
Page 170 of 215
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
thefusesareOK,thereis
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit f or the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied
technician to determine the
problem (see
on page ).
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page
).
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights, and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don’t light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page .
Check the transmission interlock.
The clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate.
Check these things:
Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):
173185
162
173
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Emergency T owing
Jump Starting T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If theEngineWon’tStart
171
——y
y
()y
y