maintenance 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

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

Speedometer

The speed is indicated in miles per hour (outside scale) and kilometers per hour (inside).

Odometer

The numbers on the odometer indicate miles.
The odometer registers total distance traveled, and serves as your guide for determining when periodic maintenance is due. Federal lawmakes it illegal to alter the odometer of any motor vehicle with the
intent to change the number of miles indicated.
Trip Meter The numbers on the trip meter indicate miles.
The trip meter can be returned to zero by pushing in the reset button. Use it for checking fuel consumption or distance traveled
per trip.

Tachometer (Si Hatchback and LX/EX Sedan) The tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per minute.
The beginning of the RED ZONE indicates the maximum allowableengine R.P.M. Do not run the engine with the tachometer indicator
needle in the RED ZONE.

Fuel Gauge
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 45 (11.9 US gal ,9.9 Imp gal)
As a convenience, the gauge continues to show the same fuel level
as when the ignition was last on. After refueling, the gauge will
slowly change to the new fuel level when the ignition is switched on.
When the needle first indicates E (empty), you have a usable

reserve left in the tank of about:
4 (1.1 US gal, 0.9 Imp gal)
Coolant Temperature Gauge
CAUTION:
The needle should stay within the white range. If the needle reaches the red line at "H" (Hot), pull safely off the road, stop theengine and check the coolant level in the reserve tank on the
driver's side of the radiator under the hood.
Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. The
coolant is under pressure and may blow out and scald you.

GaugesProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

If the Sunroof Won't Close
The sunroof can be closed manually, if the control switch will not close it.
1. Remove the round plug near the rear center of the headliner.
2. Insert the sunroof wrench (from.
the tool kit) into the socket.

SUNROOF

WRENCH

3. Turn the wrench counterclockwise until the roof closes and seats into its locked position (about ten turns).

4. Replace the plug.

Maintenance
Periodically pour a little water down the drain holes to make sure
they are not plugged. If they are free, water should drop on the
ground behind each front wheel.

CAUTION:

Do not put weight on the sunroof or force it open or closed, you
may damage the mechanism.
DRAIN HOLESSOCKET

Remove

plugProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Gasoline (cont'd)
Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain conditions.
Always stop the engine before refueling, and never refuel near
sparks or open flames. CAUTION:
When reinstalling the fuel cap, be sure both tabs on the cap are
engaged in the slots of the filler neck and turn the cap until it stops. If you replace the cap, use only a genuine Honda replacement part
or its equivalent. Failure to use the proper part could cause serious
fuel system problems.
How to Improve Your Gas Mileage: Drive at a smooth, steady pace to avoid unnecessary decele-
rations and stops — accelerating back to speed uses more fuel.Plan trips to avoid rush hour traffic if possible. Make sure the parking brake is completely released.
Consolidate trips whenever possible.
Keep vehicle weight to a minimum by removing unnecessary
items from the luggage area.
Whenever possible, use fresh air from the dash vents to keep
cool when driving; open windows, or use of the optional air
conditioning both affect fuel economy.
Keep the tires adjusted to the recommended pressure.
Tire Pressure (measured cold): STD Hatchback front 240 kPa (35 psi)
rear 220 kPa (32 psi)
DX Hatchback front 220 kPa (32 psi)

rear 220 kPa (32 psi)

Si Hatchback front 195 kPa (28 psi)

rear 195 kPa (28 psi)

DX Sedan front 220 kPa (32 psi)

rear 220 kPa (32 psi)

LX Sedan front 180 kPa (26 psi)
rear 180 kPa (26 psi)
EX Sedan front 180 kPa (26 psi)

rear 180 kPa (26 psi)

Condition of Your Car You can only get maximum fuel economy if your car is in toprunning condition. Have all required maintenance done at the proper
intervals. Check tire pressures and tire wear frequently. If tire wear is uneven, have the alignment checked by your Honda dealer.
Proper alignment saves gasoline and prolongs tire life.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Your Honda automobile must be properly maintained to ensure that
it is in peak operating condition and the emission levels are within
the standards set by the Federal Clean Air Act. The following instructions and maintenance procedures are basedon the assumption that your car will be used exclusively for thepurpose for which it was designed:
1.To carry passengers and cargo within the load limits shown on the label in the glove box.
2. To be driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal limits.
3. To generally be driven daily over a distance of several miles.
4. Use gasoline from pumps labeled unleaded, with a pump octane number of 86 or higher. The pump octane number is an average of
the Research (R) octane and Motor (M) octane numbers.
NOTE: Failures which occur due to a lack of maintenance will not be
covered under warranty.
The Required Maintenance Schedule* specifies all maintenance
required to keep your car in peak operating condition. Work should
be done by a Honda dealer but may be done by any qualified service

facility or individual who is competent in this type of work.

Maintenance, replacement, or repair of emission control devices
and systems may be done by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are "certified" to EPA standards.
After the maintenance has been done, be sure to complete theMaintenance Records on pages 71 — 73. All required maintenance is
considered normal owner operating cost and you will be charged for it by your dealer.
* For vehicles sold in California, maintenance operations indicated by *3 on page 70 are recommended by the manufacturer. Othermaintenance operations are required by California regulations and
condition the emission warranty.
Maintenance Schedule and RecordsProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Maintenance Schedule and Records (cont'd)
Check oil and coolant level at each fuel stop.Under severe driving conditions, service these items twice as often. (See page 72)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Required Maintenance Record
Have your servicing dealer record all Required Maintenance below.
Keep receipts for all work done on your car.

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Maintenance Schedule and Records (cont'd)

Severe Driving Conditions
CAUTION:

The following items must be serviced more frequently on cars
normally used under severe driving conditions. Refer to the chart below for the appropriate maintenance intervals.
Severe driving conditions include:
A: Repeated short distance driving B: Driving in dusty conditions
C: Driving in severe cold weather
D: Driving in areas using road salt or other corrosive materials
E: Driving on rough and/or muddy roads

R- Replace
I - Inspect After inspection, clean, adjust, repair or replace if necessary.
Non-Scheduled Maintenance Record Record additional maintenance for severe driving conditions or non-
scheduled maintenance on this page. (See page 70)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