HONDA CIVIC 1991 Owners Manual

1991 Civic Hatchback/Sedan Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.

For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.

Features & Safety ........................................................................\
........................................................ 2
What you should know before driving your car.
Starting & Driving........................................................................\
..................................................... 54
What gas to use, how to change gears, etc.
Maintenance ........................................................................\
............................................................... 68
The Required Maintenance Schedule and some items you can service.
Emergency Service ........................................................................\
.................................................. 103
Changing a flat, jump starting, towing. Consumer Information ........................................................................\
............................................ 121
Reporting Safety Detects, warranty service, vehicle identification numbe\
rs, etc.
Index ........................................................................\
........................................................................
129
Gas Station Information
Contents
Owner's Identification
ProCarManuals.com

This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of the
vehicle, and must remain with the vehicle at time of resale.
OWNER'S I.D.

OWNER

ADDRESS

DELIVERY DATE

The information and specifications included in this publication were in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

reserves
the
right
however,
to
discontinue
or
change specifications
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any

obligation whatever.
CITY

V.I.N.
STATE

ZIP CODE

(Date sold to original retail purchaser)
DEALER NO.

DEALER NAME

ADDRESS
CITY

OWNER'S SIGNATURE

DEALER'S SIGNATURE
STATE

ZIP CODEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Introduction

This manual contains important information about the safe operation and maintenance of your car.
We urge you to read it carefully, become familiar with the controls itdescribes, and follow its recommendations, to help make your
driving trouble-free and enjoyable.
Statements or labels on the product preceded by the following
words are of special significance:
indicates severe personal injury or death will result if
instructions are not followed.indicates a strong possibility of severe personal
injury or death if instructions are not followed.means hazards or unsafe practices which could
cause minor personal injury or product or property
damage.
NOTE: gives helpful information.
Break-in Period
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of driving, avoid full throttle
starts and cruising for extended periods at a constant speed.

NOTE:
This break-in procedure also applies to exchanged or overhauled

engines.
During and after the break-in period, drive the car at moderate
speeds until the engine is fully warmed up.
During the first 200 miles (300 km), try to avoid severe braking.

Brake misuse during this period will reduce future braking efficiency.

Remember, your Honda Automobile dealer knows your car best,and should be consulted for service assistance and advice.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Keys and Locks

Keys (Hatchback)

Your car is supplied with two identical keys that fit the ignition and
all locks. You should keep one of them in a safe place, away from the car, as a spare.

(Sedan)

Your car is supplied with a master key that fits the ignition and all locks, and a valet key that fits the ignition and doors but not the
trunk or trunk remote release.
The valet key is provided for times when you must leave the key
with a parking attendant or repair person, but still want to keep
valuables safely locked-up.
Write down the numbers stamped on your keys and keep the information in your wallet or purse in case you ever need to have
duplicates made. The keys are double edged, so you can insert them in the locks with either edge up.
Door Locks
(Hatchback)

You can lock the doors by pushing the tabs forward.

(Sedan)

You can lock the doors by pushing the tabs down.
The doors must be unlocked before you can open them. The passenger doors can be locked when open, and will stay locked
when you close them; the driver's door cannot be locked when open unless you hold the door handle open. The front doors can be
locked and unlocked from the outside with the key.

(cont'd)

Sedan

Hatchback

Unlock

Lock
Lock
Unlock
lock
UnlockProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Keys and Locks (cont'd)
Power Door Locks (LX/EX Sedan)
All doors can be simultaneously locked and unlocked by operating
the master door lock switch.
In addition, the passenger doors will lock automatically when the
lock tab on the driver's door is pushed down, or when the driver's
door is locked from the outside with the key. MASTER DOOR
LOCK SWITCH
LOCK LOCKProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Hatch/Trunk Lid Lock
(Hatchback)
To open the hatch from outside, put the ignition key in the lock and

turn clockwise.
The hatch can be opened by pulling up the lever at the left side of

the driver's seat.

(Sedan) The trunk can be opened by pulling up the lever at the left side of

the driver's seat.

To open the trunk lid from the outside, put the master key in thelock and turn clockwise. The trunk lid opener lever is lockable with
the master key.
Keep the hatch/trunk lid closed while driving, to keep poisonous
carbon monoxide exhaust fumes out of the interior; prolonged
exposure can cause unconsciousness that may lead to death.
Child Proof Door Locks (Sedan)
The child proof door locks are designed to prevent accidental open- ing of the rear doors. To activate the locks, push down the lock tabs
located on each door, then close the doors. When the doors are
locked in this way, they can only be opened from the outside. Open
Unlock
LOCK
TAB

Lock
MASTER KEY
Pull upProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Seats

Front Seat
Adjust the seat position by pulling up on the adjustment lever under
the front edge of the seat cushion, and sliding the seat to the desiredposition. Then release the lever and
make sure the seat is locked in position by moving it back and forth.

ADJUSTMENT
LEVER

The angle of the seat-back can be changed by pulling up on the lever at the outside edge of the seat and leaning forward or back. Release
the lever and let the seat lock into place when it reaches the desired

angle.

Seat belts are most effective when the driver and passenger are
sitting up straight and well back in each seat.
RELEASE LEVER
Do not adjust the driver's seat while the car is moving; the seat
could move suddenly, causing loss of vehicle control. To reduce the risk of siding under the seat belts in a collision,
the seat-backs should be reclined no more than is necessary for
comfort.
Pull up
Pull up
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

To Get In/Out of Rear Seat

(Hatchback)

The right front seat has a release lever within easy reach of rear passengers: push it forward to release the seat-
back for access to or from the rear
seat. The driver's seat will also tilt
forward by husing the seat angle lever.

Head Restraints

The head restraints are designed to help reduce injuries due to whiplash. They are located at the top of each seat-back. The fronthead restraints have several height positions. They can be adjusted
by pulling up to the recommended position. To lower them, slide the
button next to the restraint's height bar, while pushing the restraint

down.

(Sedan only)

The rear head restraints have also several height positions.
Adjust so the top of the restraint is approximately level with the
tops of your ears. If a head restraint must be removed (for cleaning, fabric repair, etc.)
pull the restraint up to its highest position, then slide the button
while pulling the restraint out. To reinstall, reverse the above procedure.

Do not drive the car with head restraints removed.

Do not try to adjust head restraints while driving.

(cont'd)

SlideProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Seats (cont'd)
Rear Seat (Hatchback)
If you need more luggage space,
the rear seat-back can be folded down. Pull the release on the topof the seat-back and fold the

seat-back down.

Trunk Access from Rear Seat (Sedan) The rear seat-back can be released by turning the lock on the rear
shelf with the master key and pulling down the top of the seat-back.
This allows you access to the trunk and makes it possible to carry long objects inside the car.
The rear seat-back can also be released from inside the trunk by pulling the release.

Passengers or pets must not sit on the folded portion of the rear

seat.
Make sure any luggage or cargo within the trunk, or extending
through the rear seat trunk access is secured.
Make sure the seat-back latches engage securely when the
seat-back is returned to its normal position.
When closing the rear seat trunk access, push the seat-back firmly into place, then pull on the top of the seat-back to make sure it is
secure.

CAUTION:

Make sure both rear shoulder belts are positioned in front of the
rear seat-backs whenever the seat-backs are in their upright
position.
MASTER KEY

Open

RELEASE

Pull

RELEASEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Luggage Cover (DX/Si Hatchback)
You can reach the luggage compartment from either the outside or
inside of the vehicle. To open the front part of the cover, pull the
cover up. The rear part of the cover can be also opened merely by

lifting up on it.If you need more luggage height with the seat-back upright, fold therear section of the cover forward or slide the latches on both sides
to the rear and lift the cover out.

LATCH

Weight limits shown on the label located in the glove box must be observed. The total weight of passengers and cargo must
not exceed the total weight limit on the label.
(Except STD Hatchback) Do not store any items on the shelf behind the rear seat; theymay become dangerous projectiles in a collision.
(Hatchback only) Make sure the seat-back latches engage securely when theseat-back is returned to its normal position.
When transporting luggage or other cargo, do not pile it higher than the front seats. This precaution will help prevent such
items from becoming dangerous projectiles in an accident. Cargo weight should be distributed as far forward as possible
for better vehicle handling.
(Sedan only)
Store any luggage or cargo in the trunk. If you are carrying moreitems than will fit in the trunk, use the floor space between the
front and rear seats.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t