check oil HONDA ACCORD SEDAN 2003 (in English) Owner's Guide

Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. 364
Optional f or U.S. DX models
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance299
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their cars. It gives
you inf ormation about how to saf ely
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 f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .334
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .335
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 340
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ............................
Very Slowly .340
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .341
................................
Jump Starting .342
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 345
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 347
..........
Charging System Indicator . 348
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 349
.......................
Readiness Codes .350
...............
Brake System Indicator . 351
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 352
..............................................
Fuses .353
..........
Checking and Replacing . 354
......................
Emergency Towing .358
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed333

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.
208 268 358
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
347
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.

CONT INUED
Battery......
Charging System Light . 58,348
............................
Jump Starting .342
..............................
Maintenance .294
............................
Specif ications .365
..............................
Bef ore Driving .203
..........................................
Belts, Seat .8
.........................
Beverage Holders .104
...................................
Body Repair .332
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 230
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 204
....................
Bulb Replacement .317
...........................................
Fluid .284
.......................................
Parking .102 .........................
System Indicator .58
........................
Wear Indicators .229
.............................
Braking System .229
........................
Break-in, New Car .204
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 69
........................
Brights, Headlights .68
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .318
..............................
Brake Lights .317
..............................
Ceiling Light .320
................
Door Courtesy Light . 321
................
Front Parking Lights . 315
.................................
Headlights .312
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 319
...................
License Plate Light . 319
............................
Specif ications .365
...................................
Spotlights .321
...............................
Trunk Light .322
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 315
................
Vanity Mirror Lights . 321
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .312
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 212
................................
Accessories .212
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 213
............................
Modif ications .213
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .78
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 107
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 270
.....................................
Airbag (SRS) .9
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .286
............................
Air Conditioning .112
..............................
Maintenance .299
.........................................
Usage .112
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .304
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .369
......................................
Antif reeze .273
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ................................
Description .230
...............................
Indicator .57, 231
...................................
Operation .230
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 77
..........................
Appearance Care .325
..........................................
Armrest .103
................
Audio System . 134,150,169 .............
Automatic Speed Control . 195
..............
Automatic Transmission . 222
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .364
.......
Checking Fluid Level . 280,281
.......................................
Shif ting .223
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 223
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 223
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 226
Index
A
B
I

Î
............................
Capacities Chart .364
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 52
.............................
Carrying Cargo .214
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..................
CD Changer . 142,157,177
.......................................
CD Player .140
........................
CD Pocket, Center .105
........................
Certif ication Label .362
............................................
Chains .308
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .335
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 275
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .270
......................................
When to .250
...
Charging System Indicator . 58,348
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 218
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 84
.......................................
Child Seats .26
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...................................
Cleaner, Air .286
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .327
...................................
Carpeting .328
......................................
Exterior .326 .........................................
Fabric .329
.......................................
Interior .328
.......................................
Leather .329
...................................
Seat Belts .329
...........................................
Vinyl .329
......................................
Window .330
...............
Climate Control System . 119
.........
Clock, Setting the . 139,156,174
...................................
Clutch Fluid .285
........................
CO in the Exhaust .372
...................................
Coin Pocket .105
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 220
..............................
Compact Spare .334
.................
Console Compartment . 103
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 378
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant ........................................
Adding .272
....................................
Checking .210
.........................
Proper Solution .267
...................
Temperature Gauge . 64
....................
Corrosion Protection .331
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .371
............
Cruise Control Operation . 195
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 378................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
.......................................
Dashboard .56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 69
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 380
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 72
....................................
Dimensions .364
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 68
Dipstick .
Automatic Transmission . 280,281
..................................
Engine Oil .208
..........................
Directional Signals .70
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 229
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .272
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 78
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 367
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual .............................
Transmission .221
.....................................
Drive Belts .302
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .217
....................................
Economy .211
.........................
In Bad Weather .235
................
In Foreign Countries . 370
Index
C D
II

CONT INUED
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 300
..............................
Economy, Fuel .211
............
Emergencies on the Road . 333
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 342
...........
Brake System Indicator . 351
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 335
.....
Charging System Indicator . 348
..................
Checking the Fuses . 354
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 347
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 349
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 352
..................
Overheated Engine . 345
.........................
Emergency Brake .102
......................
Emergency Flashers .72
......................
Emergency Towing .358
.......................
Emissions Controls .371
Engine ............................................
Belts .302
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 64
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .58, 349
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 58,347
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 268...............................
Overheating .345
............................
Specif ications .365
....................
Speed Limiter . 222,226
.......................................
Starting .219
..........
Engine Speed Limiter . 222,226
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .369
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 371
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 326
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .329
...................................
Fan, Interior .112
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .111
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 204
Filter .........................
Dust and Pollen .300
...............................................
Oil .270
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 283
5-speed Manual Transmission ................................
Shif ting the .221 .............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 72
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 335
Fluids .
Automatic Transmission . 280,281
..........................................
Brake .284
.........................................
Clutch .285
..............
Manual Transmission . 283
..........................
Power Steering .285
..................
Windshield Washer . 279
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .92
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 370
..........................
Four-way Flashers .72
.................................................
Fuel .204
......................
Fill Door and Cap .205
...........................................
Gauge .65
................
Octane Requirement . 204
...............................
Oxygenated .369
........................
Tank, Filling the .204
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .354
Index
E
F
III

CONT INUED
..................................
Maintenance .245
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 265
........................................
Record .260
......................
Required Indicator .65
..........................................
Saf ety .246
.............................
Schedule .250-259
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 58,349
...................
Manual Transmission . 221
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 283
...............................
Meters, Gauges .63
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 369
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .101
.......................................
Moonroof .100
......................
Closing Manually .352
...................................
Operation .100
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 224
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 204
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .222
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 362 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 204
.........................................
Odometer .63
Odometer/Outside Temperature ......................................
Indicator .63
...............................
Odometer, Trip .64
Oil ........................
Change, How to .270
......................
Change, When to .250
......................
Checking Engine .208
..............
Pressure Indicator . 58,347
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .269
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 78
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 370
............................
Outside Mirrors .101
.....................
Outside Temperature .64
....................
Overheating, Engine .345
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 265
..........................
Oxygenated Fuel .369
.......................
Label, Certif ication .362
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 70
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .42
.........................
Leather, Cleaning .329
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .312
.......................................
Indicator .57
.........................................
Parking .58
..................................
Turn Signal .60
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 77
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 77
............................
Fuel Fill Door .205
....................................
Glove Box .86
...........................................
Trunk .84
........................
Low Coolant Level .210
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 221
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 58,347
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 364
.........................................
Luggage .214
Index
LM
NO
V

Î
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 69
........................
Park Gear Position .224
...........................................
Parking .228
...............................
Parking Brake .102
.................................
Parking Lights .58
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 373
.............................
PGM-FI System .372
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 327
...................................
Pollen Filter .300
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 36
.........
Protecting Small Children . 33
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .39
.................................
Using LATCH .40 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 345
Radio/CD Sound .......................
System .134, 150,169
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 318
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .93
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .92
..........................
Rear View Mirror .101
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 72
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 87,90
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 222
.............................
Reminder Lights .57
.......................
Remote Transmitter .80
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 286
.......................................
Coolant .275
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 270
..........................................
Fuses .354
................................
Light Bulbs .312
....................................
Schedule .250
.......................
Spark Plugs .289, 292
...........................................
Tires .306
.............................
Wiper Blades .297
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .44 .................
Reserve Tank, Coolant . 210
...............................
Restraint, Child .21
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 224
................................
Rotation, Tire .306
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 380
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .11
..........................
Head Restraints .11
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
..................
Seats and Seat-Backs . 10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 53
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
...........................................
Seat Belts .8
...............
Additional Information . 42
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .43
.....................................
Cleaning .329
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .42
................................
Maintenance .44
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .42, 58
Index
R
S
P
VI

Î
....................................
Tire Chains .308
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 335
...............................................
Tires .303
..............................
Air Pressure .304
.........................
Checking Wear .305
..........................
Compact Spare .334
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 367
......................................
Inf lation .303
..................................
Inspection .305
...................................
Replacing .306
......................................
Rotating .306
...........................................
Snow .308
............................
Specif ications .366
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 335
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .237
................
Emergency Wrecker . 358
..............
Traction Control System . 232
...
TCS Activation Indicator . 59,233
......................
TCS Indicator .60, 232
...............
TCS ON/OFF Switch . 233
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ......................
Automatic .280, 281
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .283 ..................
Fluid Selection . 280,283
..............
Identif ication Number . 362
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 223
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 221
.....................................
Treadwear .367
.......................................
Trip Meter .64
................................................
Trunk .84
....................
Emergency Opener .85
.................................
Opening the .84
...................
Open Monitor Light . 60
....................................
Turn Signals .70
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .331
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .333
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 367
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .204
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .328
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 272
................................
Vanity Mirror .106
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 215......................
Vehicle Dimensions .364
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 362
.............................
Vehicle Storage .323
.................................................
VIN .362
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .329
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .269
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 53
..................
Warranty Coverages .379
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 279
.....................................
Operation .72
.........................................
Washing .326
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 327
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 73
............
Alignment and Balance . 305
..........................
Compact Spare .334
......................................
Wrench .337
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .330
..................
Operating the Power . 96
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .72
Index
U
V W
VIII