maintenance HONDA CIVIC 1991 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: HONDA, Model Year: 1991, Model line: CIVIC, Model: HONDA CIVIC 1991Pages: 136, PDF Size: 1.33 MB
Page 81 of 136
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
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Page 83 of 136
Brakes
Brake System Design
The diagonally-separated dual serv-
ice brake system is designed so half
the system will still provide braking action if the other half fails.
Stopping the car after losing the brake fluid from half the system will
require more pedal pressure and pedal travel than normal. Also, the
distance required to stop will be longer using only half the brake
system. If the brakes fail suddenly, downshift to a lower gear for increased engine braking, and pull off the road as soon as possible.
It is dangerous to drive your car with a problem in either thebrake electrical or hydraulic system; have your dealer check
both systems if you suspect brake trouble.
Driving through deep water may affect the brakes.Check their effectiveness by pressing the brake pedal gently.
If the car does not slow down at the normal rate, continue
gently applying the brakes, while maintaining a safe speed, until
they dry out and normal performance returns. Do not ride the brakes. In other words, don't put your foot on
the brake pedal unless you intend to brake. This causes excessive brake wear and can damage, or lead to loss of braking
effectiveness through overheating. Your brake lights may also
confuse drivers behind you.
Brake Wear Both front and rear brakes should be inspected for wear at the
intervals shown in the Maintenance Schedule on page 70.
When the brakes require maintenance, use only genuine Honda
replacement parts or their equivalent.
(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 99 of 136
System Maintenance
Run your air conditioner at least once a week for about ten minutes,
even during the off season, to lubricate the seals and the inside of
the compressor and, to verify that the system is functional.
If the air conditioner is not cooling properly, it may indicate an
undercharged system. Have your dealer check the system for leaks,
then evacuate and charge the system with refrigerant 12. Charging quantity:
850 — 950 g (30.1 — 33.6 oz)
CAUTION:
Prolonged use of an undercharged system may damage the
compressor.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 124 of 136
Emission Controls
Sources of Emissions
The combustion process produces carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons. The evaporation of fuel in the fuel tank
also produces hydrocarbons. Control of oxides of nitrogen andhydrocarbons is very important since, under certain conditions,
when subjected to sunlight, they react to form photochemical smog. Carbon monoxide does not react to form smog, but it is toxic.Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has developed a number of systems which
are highly effective in reducing carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen
and hydrocarbons.
The Clean Air Act The Clean Air Act requires all vehicle manufacturers to explain in
writing, the operation and maintenance of their emission control
systems.
Maintenance instructions are included on pages 68 — 73 ; the
operation of each system is explained on the following.
Replacement Parts
The emission control systems on your new Honda were designed, built and certified to conform with the Federal regulations
implementing the Clean Air Act. Honda recommends only the use of
new, genuine Honda parts or their equivalent. The use of otherreplacement parts which are not of equivalent quality may impair
the effectiveness of your car's emission control systems.
Crankcase Emission Control System
To prevent crankcase emissions, your car is equipped with a Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) System which routes blowby
gases from the crankcase, through the PCV valve and intakemanifold, into the combustion chamber.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 127 of 136
Warranty Service
Warranty
The following warranties are provided with every new vehicle. 1. New Car Limited Warranty
2. Emission Control Systems Defects Warranty
3. Emission Performance Warranty
4. Original Equipment Battery Limited Warranty 5. Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
6. Accessory Limited Warranty 7. Replacement Parts Limited Warranty
8. Replacement Muffler Lifetime Limited Warranty 9. Seat Belt Limited Warranty
10.Replacement Battery Limited Warranty
Your car's original tires are covered by their manufacturer. Tirewarranty information is in a separate booklet.
All warranty details pertaining to your car can be found in theWarranty booklet provided with your new car except the requiredmaintenance schedule which is contained here in the Owner's
Manual.
If you are unable to obtain warranty service or are dissatisfied with
the warranty decision or service you received at an authorized Honda dealership, you should review the matter with that
dealership's Service Manager. This will normally resolve your problem. If it does not resolve your problem you should appeal the
decision with the owner of the dealership. Please bear in mind that
your problem will likely be resolved at the dealership, using the
dealer's facilities, equipment and personnel. So it is very important
that your initial contact be with the dealer or his management.
After following these steps, if you wish to have the matter
reviewed by American Honda you should contact the Zone Office
serving your area, as shown on the map on the inside of the back
cover. When contacting American Honda, please provide the Zone
Office with the following information:
Vehicle Identification Number
Servicing Dealer Name and Address
Date of Purchase
Mileage on your Car
Your Name, Address, and Phone Number Nature of Problem
Selling Dealer
After a review of the facts, you will be advised of what can be done.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 129 of 136
Index
Battery
Charging System Warning Light.............................................. 30
Jump Starting ........................ 110
Maintenance............................. 89
Specification (Hatchback).... 116
Specification (Sedan)............ 119
Beeper System Fasten Seat Belt Beeper(Sedan).................................. 11
(Hatcback)............................ 15
Belts, Seat............. See "Seat Belts"
Body Repair.................................. 102
Brake Warning Light...................... 31 Brakes
Brake Failure Warning Light.... 31
Brake Fluid................................ 84
Brake System Design.............. 83
Brake Wear Indicators............. 84
Parking Brake........................... 42
Parking Brake Warning Light.. 31
Break-in Period................................. 2
Bulb
Replacement............................
92
Specification (Hatchback)....
117
Specification (Sedan)............
120
Buzzer........... See
"Beeper System"
Capacities (Hatchback)............... 115 Capacities (Sedan)....................... 118
Care and Cleaning.......................... 99
Catalytic Converter..................... 126 Certification Label....................... 121
Chains, Tires...................................
95
Check Engine
Warning Light......... 31
Child Proof Door Locks...................
5
Child Restraint
System................. 21
Cigarette Lighter............................ 44
Clock............................................... 42
Clutch Pedal Adjustment.............. 61
Compact Spare Tire.................... 104
Coolant Temperature Gauge ........
28
Cooling (with
A/C).........................
49
Cooling System..............................
80
Crankcase Emission Control
System................................... 124
Cruise Control Operation.................................. 39
Indicator.................................... 31
Defogger........................................ 34
Defroster........................................ 51
Doors
Child Proof Door Locks............. 5
Locks........................................... 3
Power Locks.............................. 4
Emergency
Changing a Flat Tire............... 105
Hazard Warning System ......... 37If Your Car Gets Stuck.......... 112
Jump Starting........................ 110
Shoulder Belt Buckle............. 113
Towing.................................... 111
Warning and Indicator Lights.. 29
Emission Controls........................ 124
Engine
Coolant...................................... 80
Coolant Temperature Gauge... 28
Exhaust Controls................... 125Identification Number............ 12
1
Oil and
Filter.............................. 76
OH Pressure Warning Light..... 30
Specification (Hatchback).... 116
Air Conditioner
Operation.................................. 47
Service...................................... 98
Air Filter.......................................... 86
Air Pressure, Tires......................... 94
Antifreeze.. See "Radiator Coolant" Anti-theft Steering Column Lock System ..................................... 57
Appearance Care........................ 100
Ashtrays......................................... 44
Automatic Seat Belt...................... 10
Automatic Transmission
Driving Technique.................... 66
Fluid........................................... 79
Operation.................................. 64
(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 131 of 136
Maintenance
Non-Scheduled MaintenanceRecord................................... 72
Scheduled Maintenance Record................................... 71
Schedule................................... 68
Severe Driving Conditions...... 72
Manual Transmission Clutch Pedal Adjustment........ 61
Maximum Allowable Speeds.. 63
Oil...............................................
78
Recommended Shift
Speeds.. 62
Shifting......................................
61
Meters, Gauges..........
See "Gauges"
Mirrors Power Mirrors.......................... 35
Rearview Mirrors..................... 35
Octane Rating, Gasoline. See "Fuel"
Odometer........................................ 28
Oil
Engine Oil.................................. 75
Fluid Locations......................... 74
Oil Pressure Warning Light..... 30
Power Steering Fluid................ 85
Transmission Oil/Fluid.............. 78
Operation In Foreign Countries..... 55
Panel Brightness Control............... 37
Parking Brake................................. 42
Passive Belt.................................... 10
PGM-FI
System.................................... 125
Power Door Locks................................. 4
Mirrors...................................... 35
Steering..................................... 85
Windows.................................. 43
Pregnant Women........................... 25
Pressures, Tire Inflation................ 94
Preventive Service...................... 102 Radiator Coolant............................ 80
Rear Seat.......................................... 8
Rearview Mirrors........................... 35
Rear Window Defogger................ 34Rear Window Wiper...................... 34Reminder Lights .................. See "Warning Lights"
Replacement
Air Filter.................................... 86
Bulb............................................ 92
Engine Oil.................................. 76
Fuel Filter.................................. 86
Fuse...........................................90
Oil Filter..................................... 76
Radiator Coolant...................... 82
Spark Plugs............................... 87
Tire............................................ 94
Wiper Blades............................. 88
Rust Prevention........................... 101
Safety Defects, Reporting.......... 128
Safety Items................................... 59
Seats
Adjustment................................. 6
Head Restraints.......................... 7
Seat Belt Reminder Light
and Beeper (Sedan).................. 14
Seat Belt Reminder Light and Beeper (Hatchback).......... 17
Seat Belts Anchor Points (Hatchback)..... 22
Anchor Points (Sedan)............ 24
Automatic Belt......................... 10
Buckling the Front Seat Belts (Sedan)............... 11
Buckling the Front Seat Belts (Hatchback)....... 15
Buckling the Rear Seat Belts .. 19
Child Restraint.......................... 21
Cleaning..................................... 25
Fasten Seat Belt Reminder Light and Beeper (Sedan).............. 14
Fasten Seat Belt Reminder Light and Beeper (Hatchback)...... 17
(cont'd)
Numbers, Identification............... 121ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
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Index (cont'd)
Inspection................................. 25
Passive Belt.............................. 10
Pregnant Women..................... 25
Rear Center Seat Belt.............. 20
Replacement............................. 25 Shoulder Belt Buckle............. 113
Seats
Front Seat................................... 6
Head Restraints.......................... 7
Rear Seat.................................... 8
Shifting
Automatic................................ 64
Manual....................................... 61
Spare Tire Changing a Flat Tire............... 106
COMPACT Spara Tire........... 104
Spark Plugs Replacement............................. 87
Specifications (Hatchback) ..116Specifications (Sedan).......... 119
Speedometer.................................. 28
Starting the Engine......................... 58
Steering Anti-theft Column Lock .......... 57Power Steering......................... 85
Tilt Steering.............................. 32
Stuck Car..................................... 112
Sunroof........................................... 52
If the Sunroof Won't Close..... 53
Maintenance............................. 53
Operation.................................. 52
Sunshade.................................. 52
Tachometer.................................... 28
Temperature Gauge, Coolant....... 28 Tilt Steering.................................... 32
Tire Air Pressure............................. 94
Balancing................................... 97
Chains....................................... 95
Changing a Flat Tire............... 106COMPACT Spare.................. 104
DOT Tire Quality Grades....... 122
Inflation Pressures................... 94 Requirement............................. 96
Rotation.................................... 97
Snow Tire................................. 95
Spare Tire............................... 104
Specification (Hatchback).... 116 Specification (Sedan)............ 119
Tools............................................. 105
Towing.......................................... 111
Transmission
Capacity.................................... 79
Identification Number............ 121
Oil/Fluid..................................... 78
Shifting the Automatic............ 64
Shifting the Manual.................. 61
Transmission............................ 78
Treadwear.................................... 122
Trip Meter....................................... 28
Trunk Access From Rear Seat....... 8
Trunk Lid........................................... 5
Turn Signals.................................... 36
Warning Lights............................... 29
Warranty Service........................ 127Washer Rear Window Washer............. 34Reservoir Capacity.................. 33
Windshield Washer.................. 33
Washing........................................ 100
Waxing......................................... 101
Windows
Appearance Care................... 100
Power Windows...................... 43
Windshield Defogger..................... 51 Windshield Washer....................... 33
Windshield Wipers........................ 33
Wiper Blades ..................................
88
Wipers Rear Windo
w Wiper................ 34
Windshield Wipers................... 33
Vehicle Identification Number.... 121
Ventilation...................................... 45ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 133 of 136
Authorized Manuals
A Factory-Authorized Manual is Available for Your Vehicle.
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be obtained from Helm Incorporated either by filling out
the reverse side of this form or, for credit card holders, calling toll-free. Formanuals prior to the year shown below, contact Helm Inc.,
Box 07280, Detroit, Michigan 48207, or call (313) 883-1430.
Service Manual
This manual covers maintenance and recommended procedures for repair
to engine and chassis components. It is written for the journeyman mechanic, but is simple enough for most mechanically-inclined owners to
understand.
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
This manual compliments the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting information for each electrical circuit in your car.
Body Repair Manual
This manual describes the procedures involved in the replacement of
damaged body parts.
61SH303
61SH303EL
61SH330
31SH3630
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