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

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration. We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Open the f uel f ill door by pushing
onthehandletotheleftof the
driver’s seat.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service. Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule. Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
1.
2.
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period GasolineFilling the Fuel Tank
Break-in Period, Gasoline, Service Station Procedures
204
Push

µ
The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your car
serviced and what things need
attention. It is essential that you have
your car serviced as scheduled to
retain its high level of saf ety,
dependability, and emissions control
perf ormance.
Avoidexceedingyourcar’sload
limit.Thisputsexcessstresson
the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your car. The load
limit is shown on the label on the
driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your car on reasonable
roads within the legal speed limit.
Drive your car regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage).
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
car as normal transportation f or
passengers and their possessions.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations:
Service your car according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your car
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop-and-go driving, such as a taxi
or a commercial delivery vehicle. Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
204
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow:
U.S. Owners
248

Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively ref erred to as
oxygenated f uels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
f uels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated f uel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Bef ore using an oxygenated f uel, try
to conf irm the f uel’s contents. Some
states/provinces require this
informationtobepostedonthe
pump.The f ollowing are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or perf ormance
problems resulting f rom the use of
an oxygenated f uel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume. (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name ‘‘Gasohol.’’
(methyl or wood
alcohol)
Your car was not designed to use
fuel that contains methanol.
Methanol can corrode metal parts in
the fuel system, and also damage
plastic and rubber components. This
damage would not be covered by
your warranties.
T echnical Inf ormation
Oxygenated Fuels
MT BE ET HA NOL
MET HA NOL
369

If you are planning to take your
Honda outside the U.S. or Canada,
contact the tourist bureaus in the
areas you will be traveling in to f ind
out about the availability of unleaded
gasoline with the proper octane
rating.
If unleaded gasoline is not available,
be aware that using leaded gasoline
in your Honda will af f ect perf or-
mance and fuel mileage, and damage
its emissions controls. It will no
longer comply with U.S. and
Canadian emissions regulations, and
will be illegal to operate in North
America. To bring your car back into
compliance will require the replace-
ment of several components, such as
theoxygensensorsandthethree
way catalytic converter. These re-
placements are not covered under
warranty.
Driving in Foreign Countries
T echnical Inf ormation370

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

..................................................
Keys .74
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 211
..........................................
Gasohol .369
.........................................
Gasoline .204
...........................................
Gauge .65
................
Octane Requirement . 204
........................
Tank, Filling the .204
................
Gas Station Procedures . 204
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 64
...............................................
Fuel .65
...............................
Speedometer .63
.................................
Tachometer .63
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 222
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .221
..............................
Glass Cleaning .330
........................................
Glove Box .86
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 312
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 72........................................
Headlights .68
........................................
Aiming .312
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 69
............
Daytime Running Lights . 69
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 68
.........................
Reminder Chime .68
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 312
...................................
Turning on .68
..............................
Head Restraints .91
.....................
Heating and Cooling .112
...............................
Heated Mirror .102
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 220
HomeLink Wireless Control ........................................
System .198
.......................
Hood, Opening the .206
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .285
.................................
Hydroplaning .236 ........................
Jacking up the Car .337
.......................................
Jack, Tire .336
................................
Jump Starting .342
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 362
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .74
...........................................
Switch .77
............
Timing Control System . 372
........................
Immobilizer System .76 .........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 57
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .30
......................................
Inf ant Seats .30
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 303
.................................
Inside Mirror .101
.............................
Inspection, Tire .305
............................
Instrument Panel .57
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 69
...........................
Interior Cleaning .328
...............................
Interior Lights .108
........................................
Introduction .i
Index
G
H IJ
K
IV

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

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
5-speed Manual Transmission
Fluid:
Automatic Transmission Fluid: Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.4 US qt (4.2
)
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see
pages and ). Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an SAE 10W-30
or 10W-40 motor oil as a
temporary replacement (see page
).
4.5 US qt (4.3
) 2.0 US qt (1.9
)
Capacity:
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page ).
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
29 psi (200 kPa , 2.0 kgf/cm
)
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 86 or higher.
17.09 US gal (64.7
)
4-cylinder models
6-cylinder models LX
Front:
Rear:
All other models Front:
Rear:
268
280 281 285
284
283