ECU HONDA CIVIC 1991 User Guide

Engine Oil and Filter (cont'd)
Fuel Efficient Oil For the best fuel economy from your car, it is recommended that
you use a fuel efficient SG grade oil. This oil is usually identified by
the words such as: "Energy Conserving II," "Gas Saving," and "Fuel Saving," etc.
Changing Oil and Filter
Engine oil and filter should be changed together every 6 months or
7,500 miles (12,000 km), whichever comes first. The filter is located
on the engine block, below the intake manifold. A special "cap
type" oil filter wrench is required (available from your Honda dealer). Use only a genuine Honda filter or its equivalent.

CAUTION:

The oil filter cannot easily be removed from above the engine. For
this reason it is recommended that the oil filter change be done by a skilled mechanic.
1. Start the car to warm up the engine, then shut it off.
2. Remove the engine oil filler cap and drain bolt, and drain the oil.
A warmed-up engine and the oil in
it are hot; be careful not to burn yourself.
3. Remove the oil filter and let the remaining oil drain out.
4. Install a new filter according to
the instructions on or with the

filter.

5. Reinstall the drain bolt with a new washer and tighten it securely.Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil, to the upper mark on

the dipstick.

ENGINE OIL CAPACITY (including filter):
3.5
(3.7 US qt, 3.1 Imp qt)

OIL FILTER

ENGINE OIL
DRAIN BOLTProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

6. Reinstall the filler cap securely.
7. Start the engine and make sure oil is not leaking from the drain
bolt or the filter.

8. Shut off the engine and recheck the oil level.
NOTE:Please dispose of used motor oil in a manner that is compatible with
the environment. We suggest you take it in a sealed container to

your local service station for reclamation. Do not throw it in the

trash or pour it on the ground.

CAUTION:

Used motor oil may cause skin cancer if repeatedly left in contact
with the skin for prolonged periods. Although this is unlikely
unless you handle used oil on a daily basis, it is still advisable to
thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible after handling used oil.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Transmission Oil/Fluid Check
Transmission oil/fluid must be checked with the engine off and the
car on level ground.
If the engine has been running, some engine components may be
hot enough to burn you.

CAUTION:

If the oil/fluid level is low, check for possible leaks before adding
oil. Do not overfill.
Since the transmission and differential are in the same housing, you
are actually checking both oil/fluid levels in one procedure. Change
transmission oil/fluid according to the Maintenance Schedule on
page 70.

Manual
Remove the oil filler bolt (beside the right axle). Feel inside the bolt
hole with your finger. If the oil is up to the bottom edge of the hole,
the oil level is correct. If it is not, slowly add oil until it runs out of
the hole, then reinstall the bolt and tighten it securely with a wrench.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE CAPACITY: 1.8 (1.9 US qt, 1.6 Imp qt)
Use only SF or SG grade motor oil when adding or changing transmis-
sion oil. OIL CHECK/
FILLER BOLT
CORRECT LEVELProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Use the proper viscosity oil

for the climate in which
you drive:

Ambient Temperature

Automatic
The automatic transmission fluid level is checked (with the engine off and the car on level ground) using the dipstick on the passenger
side of the transmission housing. Remove the dipstick and wipe it

DIPSTICK
UPPER

LOWER

Insert the dipstick and remove it. The fluid level should be between
the upper and lower marks. If necessary, add fluid and recheck. Use only DEXRON
Automatic Transmission Fluid (A.T.F.) when adding or changing fluid.
After checking the fluid level, push the dipstick in securely
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE CAPACITY: 2.4 (2.5
US qt, 2.1 Imp qt)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

RESERVE TANKIf the level is below the MAX
mark, but still visible, add a 50/50
solution of antifreeze and water
to bring it up to MAX. If there is no coolant in the re-
serve tank, the cooling system should be checked for leaks and
repaired if necessary. Coolant

must then be added to the radi-

ator.

CAUTION:

Radiator coolant will damage paint. Quickly rinse any spilled
coolant from painted surfaces.
Wait until the engine is cool, then turn the radiator cap counterclock- wise until it stops. DO NOT PRESS DOWN WHILE TURNING THECAP. After any remaining pressure has been relieved, remove the
cap by pressing down and again turning it counterclockwise. Add
enough coolant to fill the radiator, and reinstall the cap. Be sure to
tighten it securely. Fill the reserve tank up to the MAX mark with
the engine cold.

Maintenance
1. Check the freeze protection level of the coolant with a hydrome- ter.
2. Keep the front of the radiator free of dirt and debris.
3. Check hoses and hose clamps regularly.
Replacing Coolant Replace coolant at 36 months or 45,000 miles (72,000 km), which-
ever comes first. Thereafter, replace every 2 years or 30,000 miles (48,000 km), whichever comes first.

(cont'd)

MAX
MIN

RADIATOR COOLANT

REFILL CAPACITY:
(excluding reserve tank) 0.4 (0.11 US gal, 0.09 Imp gal)
Manual transmission 4.0 (1.06 US gal ,0.88 Imp gal)

4.1 (1.08 US gal,0.90 Imp gal)*

Automatic transmission 4.0 (1.06 US gal,0.88 Imp gal)*
4.5 (1.19 US gal,0.99 Imp gal)

* : DX Hatchback and DX/LX Sedan
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Air and Fuel Filters
Air Filter Replace the air filter every 24 months or 30,000 miles (48,000 km),
whichever comes first (more often in extremely dusty conditions).

Replacement
Remove the four screws holding the air filter cover halves together.
Remove the top half of the air fitter cover. Replace the filter. Reinstall the cover and screws securely.
SCREWS
FILTER

Fuel Filters

The fuel filter is located in the engine compartment, on the right center of the lower dashboard. It should be replaced at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 48 months whichever comes first, or any time you
suspect contaminated gas may have clogged it.

CAUTION:

Because the fuel system is under pressure, the filter should be

replaced only by a qualified Honda technician.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Spark Plugs
Spark plugs should be replaced every 24 months or 30,000 miles (48,000 km), whichever comes first.

Recommended spark plugs:

CAUTION:
Never use spark plugs with an improper heat range; they will adversely affect engine performance and durability.
Spark Plug Replacement
Replace plugs one at a time, so you don't get the wires mixed up.1. Clean any dirt from around the spark plug base.
2. Disconnect the plug cap, then remove and discard the old plug.
3. Check the gap of the new spark plug before installation.
Plug gap should be:
1.1 mm (0.04 in)
4. Thread the new spark plug in by hand to prevent cross-threading. 5. After the plug seats against the cylinder head, tighten 1/2 turn with a spark plug wrench to compress the washer.
6. Reinstall the spark plug cap.
CAUTION:
The spark plugs must be securely tightened, but not overtightened. A plug that's too loose can get very hot and possibly damage the
engine; one that's too tight could damage the threads in the
cylinder head. PLUG CAPProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Changing a Flat Tire (cont'd)
9. Everytime you install the wheel on the brake hub, use a rag to
wipe any dirt off the mounting surface of the hub and the wheel.
This will assure a tight, even contact between the wheel and hub.
10. Install the spare, and lug nuts hand tight.
TIGHTENING TORQUE
110 N.m(11 kg-m,80 Ib-ft)

11. Lower the car, remove the jack, then tighten the lug nuts securely in an "X" pattern as shown.
12. Tighten the lug nuts to the recommended torque is:
110 N.m (11 kg-m,80 Ib-ft)

If a torque wrench was not used, ask an authorized Honda
dealer to verify the torque as soon as possible.
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

13. Repair or replace the damaged tire as soon as you can, reinstall
it in its original position, then put the spare back in the car.

CAUTION:

Always stow the jack, tools and tire securely to prevent them
from becoming dangerous projectiles in an accident.
14. Secure the tire and the spacer as shown in the illustration.
COMPACT SPARE DAMAGED TIRE

SPACERProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Evaporative Emission Control System
The Evaporative Emission Control System is designed to prevent
fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. Fuel vapors from the fuel tank are directed into the charcoal
canister where they are adsorbed and stored while the engine is stopped or idling. When the coolant temperature rises to a certain
value, the vapors are drawn into the engine through the throttlebody and the intake manifold during normal engine operation.
Engine Exhaust Emission Controls
The engine exhaust emission control systems are designed to control combustion during idle, acceleration, cruise, and deceleration.
These systems are entirely separate from the crankcase and evaporative emission control systems described previously.
HONDA PGM-FI System
The PGM-FI system consists of three independent sub-systems; Air Intake, Electronic Control and Fuel Control, thus allowing moreaccurate control of air/fuel ratios under all operating conditions.
The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) detects the amount of air
drawn into the cylinders and determines the amount of fuel to be injected to provide the optimum air/fuel ratio for all engine needs.
Ignition Timing Control System
This system automatically controls the ignition timing to reduce
the amount of HC and NOx.
Catalytic Converter
Three Way Catalyst
The catalyst is used to convert hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in the exhaust gas,

to carbon dioxide (CO 2
), dinitrogen (N 2
) and water vapor.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) (California automatic models except EX Sedan)
The EGR system is designed to control the formation of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) caused when fuel mixture burns at high
temperature. It works by recirculating exhaust gas through the EGR valve and intake manifold into the combustion chambers
where it reduces peak temperature by diluting the air/fuel mixture.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t