dot 4 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN 2003 Owner's Manual (in English)

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your car.
3.2.
1.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9. 11.
12. 10.
15
87
219
57
101
73
Preparing to Drive
Driving218

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as
soon as possible.
Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two
reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule. Brake System
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance284
MAX
MIN

It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, then replace the two
f ront tires or the two rear tires as a
pair. Replacing just one tire can
seriously af f ect your car’s handling.
TheABSworksbycomparingthe
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the car. Tire size and
construction can af f ect wheel speed
and may cause the system to workinconsistently.
If you ever need to replace a wheel,
make sure the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheel
that came on your car. Replacement
wheels are available at your Honda
dealer.
Wheel:
Tire:
See page f or inf ormation about
DOT Tire Quality Grading.
DX and LX models
All EX models
LX-V6 model LX model
All EX and V6 models DX model
367
Wheels and T ires
Tires
Maint enance307
15x61/2JJ P195/65R15 89H
16x61/2JJ(Aluminumwheels
only) P205/65R15 92H
P205/60R16 91V
16x61/2JJ(Steelwheelsonly)
Installing improper tires on your
car can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.

Thediagramsinthissectiongive
you the dimensions and capacities of
your Honda, and the locations of the
identif ication numbers. It also
includes inf ormation you should
know about your car’s tires and
emissions control systems.................
Identif ication Numbers . 362
................................
Specif ications .364
DOT Tire Quality Grading ............................
(U.S.Cars) .367
.................................
Treadwear .367
......................................
Traction .367
.............................
Temperature .368 .........................
Oxygenated Fuels .369
......
Driving in Foreign Countries . 370
.......................
Emissions Controls .371
.....................
The Clean Air Act .371
Crankcase Emissions Control ....................................
System .371
Evaporative Emissions Control ....................................
System .371
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ................................
Recovery .371
...
Exhaust Emissions Controls . 372
....................
PGM-FI System .372
Ignition Timing Control ................................
System .372
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ...................
(EGR) System . 372
Three Way Catalytic ...........................
Converter .372
....................
Replacement Parts . 372
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 373
..............
State Emissions Testing . 374
T echnical Inf ormat ion
T echnical Inf ormation361

µ
The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate. The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
All passenger car tires must conf orm
to Federal Saf ety Requirements in
addition to these grades. Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example: The tires on your car meet all U.S.
Federal Saf ety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear,
traction, and temperature perform-
ance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards.
The f ollowing explains these
gradings.
T echnical Inf ormation
Treadwear Traction AA, A, B, C
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Cars)
367

µWarning: The temperature grade f or
this tire is established f or a tire that
is properly inf lated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinf la-
tion, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire
f ailure.
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire f ailure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
perf ormance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Saf ety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of perf ormance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
T echnical Inf ormation
Temperature A,B,C
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Cars)
368

Î
ÎThe burning of gasoline in your car’s
engine produces several byproducts.
Some of these are carbon monoxide
(CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and
hydrocarbons (HC). Gasoline
evaporating from the tank also
produces hydrocarbons. Controlling
the production of NOx, CO, and HC
is important to the environment.
Under certain conditions of sunlight
and climate, NOx and HC react to
f orm photochemical ‘‘smog.’’ Carbon
monoxide does not contribute to
smog creation, but it is a poisonous
gas. The United States Clean Air Act
sets standards f or automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
workandwhattodotomaintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on page
.
In Canada, Honda vehicles comply
with the Canadian emission
requirements, as specif ied in an
agreement with Environment
Canada, at the time they are
manuf actured.
Your car has a Positive Crankcase
Ventilation System. This keeps
gasses that build up in the engine’s
crankcase from going into the
atmosphere. The Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve routes them from
the crankcase back to the intake
manif old. They are then drawn into
the engine and burned.
The Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery (ORVR) system captures
the f uel vapors during ref ueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
f illed with activated carbon. While
driving, the f uel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned of f . As gasoline evaporates in the f uel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister f illed with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is of f . Af ter
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
250
The Clean Air Act
Crankcase Emissions Control
System
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery Evaporative Emissions Control
System
T echnical Inf ormation
Emissions Cont rols
371

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

Î
CONT INUED
...................
System Components . 42
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .87
............................
Security System .194
.........................
Select/Reset Knob .65
...............................
Serial Number .362
...........................
Service Intervals .250
...........................
Service Manual .382
.........
Service Station Procedures . 204
..........
Setting the Clock . 139,156,174
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 223
........................
Shif t Lock Release .226
....................................
Side Airbags .47
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 47
How The SIDE Airbag Cutof f ...........
Indicator Light Works . 49
......................
Side Curtain Airbags .48
How Your Side Curtain ..........................
Airbags Work .48
...............................
Signaling Turns .68
.....................................
Snow Tires .308
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 326
................
Sound System . 134,150,169
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .334
............................
Specif ications .366 ........
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 289,292
....................
Specif ications Charts . 364
................................
Speed Control .195
........................
Speed Limiter .222, 226
...................................
Speedometer .63
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 45
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 51
How Your Airbags ............................
Work .45, 47,48
How Your SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .48
........................
SRS Components .45
..................................
SRS Service .51
.............................
SRS Indicator .48 ,59
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 78
.......................
Starting the Engine .219
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .220
................
With a Dead Battery . 342
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 345
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .73
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 77
Stereo Sound .......................
System .134, 150,169
...........................
Storing Your Car .323 ........................................
Sun Visor .106
........................
Sunglasses Holder .107
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .51
.........................
SRS Indicator .48 ,59
...................
System Components . 45
..................................
Synthetic Oil .269
.....................................
Tachometer .63
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 317
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 333
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 367
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 371
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .369
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .373
.......................
Temperature Gauge .64
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 373
..........
Time, Setting the . 139,156,174
....................................
Timing Belt .302
Index
T
VII

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