engine HONDA CIVIC 1991 Owner's Guide

Changing a Flat Tire
Do not attempt to change a tire unless the car is on firm, level
ground and well out of the flow of traffic.
Park the car on a firm, level surface, apply the parking brake, turn
on the hazard warning switch and put the transmission in gear (Park

for automatic).

1. Remove the jack, lug wrench/jack handle and jack handle extension (in the tool bag) from the location shown.

NOTE:

To remove the jack, release its tension against the mount by turning

the screw counterclockwise.

JACK TOOL BAG
Follow tire changing preparations and procedures carefully to reduce the possibility of injury. The jack is designed for changing
tires only. STAND CLEAR, DO NOT get under the car and DO NOT run the engine when the car is supported only by the jack.
5. Place the jack under the jack point nearest the wheel you are removing; align the jack head so the car frame will fit in the recess
as you raise the jack.

Hatchback

SPARE TIRE COVER
Sedan

TOOL BAG SPARE TIRE COVER
JACK
COMPACT SPARE COMPACT SPARE
2. Remove the spare tire.
3. Place blocks in front and back of the wheel diagonally opposite the tire you are changing.
4. Use the lug wrench/jack handle to loosen the wheel lug nuts counterclockwise one-half turn.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Jump Starting

To start a car with a dead battery, use another battery of the samevoltage, and the proper jumper cables.
Procedures other than those below could cause injury or
damage from battery acid spray, explosion or charging system

overload.

Never connect the jumper cable directly to the negative post of
the "dead" battery.
Never allow the two cars to touch each other. Never allow the jumper cable clamps to touch each other.
Never lean over the battery when making connections.
Never attempt to jump start a vehicle with a frozen battery. The
battery could rupture and explode. If you suspect a frozenbattery, remove the vent caps and check the fluid. If there
seems to be no fluid, or if you see ice, do not attempt a jump
start until the fluid thaws.

CAUTION:

If jumper cables are connected backwards, the car's main fuse
may blow.
1.Turn off all lights, heater and other electrical loads, set parking brake, and shift the transmission to Neutral or Park.
2. Use one cable to connect the positive terminal of the booster
battery to the positive terminal of the "dead" battery.

3. Use the other cable to connect
the negative terminal of the

booster battery to the engine at
the ground cable as shown.
4. To remove the cables, reverse the above procedures exactly.
DO NOT push or tow a car to start
it. The forward surge when the en- gine starts could cause a collision.
Also, under some conditions, the catalytic converter could be dam- aged. A car equipped with an auto-matic transmission cannot be
started by pushing or towing.
DEAD

BATTERY
Negative to the
engine at the

ground cable, not

to the battery

Do not attach

cable here
Positive to

positive
BOOSTER

BATTERYProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

If towing is necessary, contact a professional towing service. Your
authorized Honda dealer can assist you with detailed towing

instructions.

Never use tow chains or rope to tow a car; your ability to safely
control the car may be adversely affected.
We recommend the following: Flat Bed Equipment —Entire car is winched on a flat bed vehicle.
This is the best way of transporting your Honda.
Wheel Lift Type—Tow with the front wheels off the ground.

If the car can only be towed with the front wheels on the ground:

make sure the transmission is full of fluid (see pages 78 — 79) and
tow with the transmission in neutral (N) and the ignition key in the 1
position.

CAUTION:

To avoid serious damage on automatic transmission cars, first
start the engine and shift to D4, then to N and shut the engine off. If the engine does not run or the transmission cannot be shifted
while the engine is running, the car must be transported on flat
bed equipment.
Check local regulations for towing.

CAUTION:
Do not exceed 35 mph (55 km/h) or tow for distances of more
than 50 miles (80 km).
If a sling type tow is used, the tow truck driver should position
wood spacer blocks between your car's frame and the chains
and lift straps to avoid damaging the bumper and the body. Do not use the bumpers to lift the car or to support the car's
weight while towing. TowingProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

If Your Car Gets Stuck
If your car gets stuck in sand, mud, or snow, call a professional
towing service for assistance in getting your car out.
CAUTION: Do not rev up the engine and allow the wheels to spin freely at
high speed. Severe transmission damage may result if the wheels are allowed to spin for more than a few seconds.DO NOT try to free a car with automatic transmission from
snow, etc. by rocking the car alternately between forward and
reverse gears. Severe transmission damage may result from
shifting into gear with the wheels moving.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Specifications(Hatchback)*1 Excluding the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the en\
gine:

0.4 (0.11 US gal, 0.09 Imp gal)

*
2
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine but including that remaining \
in the oil filter.
(cont'd)
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Specifications (Sedan)
*
1
Excluding the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the eng\
ine:

0.4 (0.11 US gal, 0.09 Imp gal)

*
2
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine but including that remaining \
in the oil filter.
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Identification Numbers

The Vehicle Identification Number(V.I.N.) is stamped on a plate at-
tached to
the top left side of the
dashboard.
It also appears on the Certification
label attached to the door jamb, as
well as under the hood on the body,
directly behind the engine.

NOTE:

The V.I.N. is also provided in bar code on the Certification label.

Hatchback Sedan
CERTIFICATION LABEL

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
NUMBER
CERTIFICATION
LABEL

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION NUMBER
ENGINE NUMBER

The Engine Number is stamped on the right front side of the engine
block.

The Transmission Number appears on a label on the top edge of the
transmission where it attaches to the engine.

NOTE:

Do not mistake the transmission number for the engine number.
VEHICLE

IDENTIFICATION

NUMBER
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBERProCarManuals.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

Catalytic Converter

A catalytic converter is installed in the exhaust system to help
clean-up the harmful exhaust gases that can cause air pollution.
To be effective, the converter must work at high temperature, so don't park your car over dry grass, leaves or anything else that

could burn easily.

To stay effective, the converter must not be contaminated by

leaded gasoline; use only unleaded gas as explained on page 54.

CAUTION:
The converter can be overheated and damaged if it's fed too much
unburned fuel mixture from the engine, so:
— Don't push or tow the car to start it; if the battery is dead, jump start the car as shown on page 110.
— Don't turn the key off while the engine is running above idle
speed.

— Don't change the ignition timing, or remove any emission control
parts.

— Use only the spark plugs specified in this manual. — Don't keep driving your car if it isn't running properly, or if its CHARGE warning light comes on; have it checked by your
Honda dealer.
CATALYTIC CONVERTERProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

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