HONDA CIVIC COUPE 1998 Owners Manual

Exterior Care
Polishes — Polishes and cleaner/

waxes can

restore the shine to paint
that has oxidized and lost some of its shine. They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the finish. You should use a polish on your Honda if
the finish does not have its original shine after using a wax.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax. Remember to re-wax those areas,
even if the rest of the vehicle does
not need waxing.
Aluminum Wheels

On some models
Clean your Honda's aluminum alloy
wheels as you do the rest of the exterior. Wash them with the samesolution, and rinse them thoroughly.
The wheels have a protective clear- coat that keeps the aluminum from
corroding and tarnishing. Using
harsh chemicals, including some commercial wheel cleaners, or stiff
brushes can damage this clear-coat. Only use a mild detergent and soft
brush or sponge to clean the wheels. Paint Touch-up
Your dealer has touch-up paint to match your vehicle's color. The colorcode is printed on a sticker on the
driver's doorjamb. Take this code to
your dealer so you are sure to get the correct color.
Inspect your vehicle frequently for
chips or scratches in the paint.
Repair them right away to preventcorrosion of the metal underneath.
Use the touch-up paint only on small chips and scratches. More extensive
paint damage should be repaired by a professional.

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Interior Care
Carpeting
Vacuum the carpeting frequently to remove dirt. Ground-in dirt will make
the carpet wear out faster.Periodically shampoo the carpet to
keep it looking new. Use one of the
foam-type carpet cleaners on the
market. Follow the instructions that come with the cleaner, applying it
with a sponge or soft brush. Keep the carpeting as dry as possible by
not adding water to the foam.
Fabric
Vacuum dirt and dust out of the material frequently. For general
cleaning, use a solution of mild soapand lukewarm water, letting it air dry.
To clean off stubborn spots, use a commercially-available fabric cleaner.
Test it on a hidden area of the fabric first, to make sure it does not bleachor stain the fabric. Follow the
instructions that come with the

cleaner.
Vinyl

Remove dirt and dust with a vacuum
cleaner. Wipe the vinyl with a soft
cloth dampened in a solution of mild soap and water. Use the same
solution with a soft-bristle brush on
more difficult spots. You can also use
commercially-available spray or
foam-type vinyl cleaners.
Seat Belts
If your seat belts get dirty, you can
use a soft brush with a mixture of
mild soap and warm water to clean
them. Do not use bleach, dye, or cleaning solvents. They can weaken
the belt material. Let the belts air- dry before you use the vehicle. Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol.
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Interior Care, Corrosion Protection

Windows Clean the windows, inside and out,
with a commercially-available glass cleaner. You can also use a mixture
of one part white vinegar to ten parts
water. This will remove the haze that builds up on the inside of the
windows. Use a soft cloth or paper towels to clean all glass and clear
plastic surfaces.
The rear window defogger wires are
bonded to the inside of the glass. Wiping vigorously up-and-down can
dislodge and break the defogger wires. When cleaning the rear window, use
gentle pressure and wipe side-to-side. Air Fresheners
If you want to use an air freshener/deodorizer in the interior of your
vehicle, it is best to use a solid type. Some liquid air fresheners contain
chemicals that may cause parts of
the interior trim and fabric to crackor discolor.
If you use a liquid air freshener,
make sure you fasten it securely so itdoes not spill as you drive. Corrosion Protection
Two factors normally contribute to causing corrosion in your vehicle:
1. Moisture trapped in body cavities. Dirt and road salt that collects in
hollows on the underside of the
vehicle stays damp, promoting corrosion in that area.
2. Removal of paint and protective coatings from the exterior and
underside of the vehicle.
Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Honda. You can
help keep your vehicle from
corroding by performing some simple periodic maintenance:
Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them.

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Appearance Care

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Corrosion Protection, Body Repairs

Inspect and clean out the drain
holes in the bottom of the doors and body.
Check the floor coverings for
dampness. Carpeting and floor
mats may remain damp for a long
time, especially in winter. This dampness can eventually cause
the floor panels to corrode.
Use a high-pressure spray to clean
the underside of your vehicle. This
is especially important in areas
that use road salt in winter. It is
also a good idea in humid climates
and areas subject to salt air.
Vehicles equipped with ABS have a sensor and wiring at each wheel.
Be careful not to damage them.
Have the corrosion-preventive
coatings on the underside of your
vehicle inspected and repaired
periodically. Body Repairs

Body repairs can affect your vehicle's
resistance to corrosion. If your
vehicle needs repairs after a collision, pay close attention to the parts used
in the repair and the quality of the
work.
Make sure the repair facility uses
Genuine Honda replacement body
parts. Some companies make sheet
metal pieces that seem to duplicate
the original Honda body parts, but are actually inferior in fit, finish, and
corrosion resistance. Once installed,
they do not give the same high- quality appearance.
When reporting your collision to the
insurance company, tell them you
want Genuine Honda parts used in the repair. Although most insurers
recognize the quality of original
parts, some may try to specify that
the repairs be done with other
available parts. You should investi-
gate this before any repairs are

begun.

Take your vehicle to your authorized Honda dealer for inspection after the
repairs are completed. He can makesure that quality materials were used,
and that corrosion-preventive
coatings were applied to all repaired
and replaced parts.
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Taking Care of the Unexpected

This section covers the more- common problems that motoristsexperience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructionson getting your vehicle towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 206
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 207
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 212
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly............................. 212
The Starter Operates
Normally.................................213

Jump Starting................................. 213
If Your Engine Overheats............. 215
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 217
Charging System Indicator........... 218
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 219
Brake System Indicator................ 220
Closing the Moonroof................... 221
Fuses............................................... 222
Checking and Replacing........... 223
Emergency Towing....................... 227

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Compact Spare Tire

Your vehicle has a compact spare tire that takes up less space. Use this spare tire as a temporary replace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put back on
your vehicle as soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inflated to:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm2)
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire:
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and less traction on some road sur-
faces than the regular tire. Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire.

Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
The wheel of the compact spare tire is designed especially to fit
your vehicle. Do not use your spare tire on another vehicle

unless it is the same make and

model.
The compact spare tire has a shorter
tread life than a regular tire. Replaceit when you can see the tread wear
indicator bars. The replacement should be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
The compact spare tire is not designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not designed for mounting a regular tire.
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Changing a Flat Tire

If you have a flat tire while driving, stop in a safe place to change it.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
get to an exit or an area to stop that is far away from the traffic lanes.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, levelground away from traffic. Turn on
the hazard warning lights and turn
the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
2. Put the transmission in Park (automatic) or Reverse (manual).
Apply the parking brake. Have all of the passengers get out of the
vehicle while you change the tire. 3. Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
floor by lifting up on the back edge.
4. Take the tool kit out of the trunk. 5. Unscrew the wing bolt and take the spare tire out of the trunk.

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Taking Care of the Unexpected

The vehicle can easily roll off

the jack, seriously injuring

anyone underneath.

Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the

jack.
SPARE TIRE
TRUNK FLOOR
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Changing a Flat Tire

6. Turn the jack's end bracket counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack. 7. Loosen the four wheel nuts 1/2
turn with the wheel wrench. 8. Locate the jacking point nearest
the tire you need to change. It is
pointed to by an arrow molded into
the underside of the body. Place
the jack under the jacking point.
Turn the end bracket clockwise until the top of the jack contacts
the jacking point. Make sure the
jacking point tab is resting in the
jack notch.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

JACK

WHEEL WRENCHJACKING
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Changing a Flat Tire

9. Use the extension and wheel wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the flat lire is off the
ground.

10.Remove the wheel nuts and flat tire. Temporarily place the flat tireon the ground with the outside
surface of the wheel facing up.
You could scratch the wheel if you put it face down.
On DX and EX models in the U.S., and
DX and Si in Canada

Do not attempt to forcibly pry the
wheel cover off with a screwdriver or other tool. The wheel cover cannot
be removed without first removing the wheel nuts. 11.Before mounting the spare tire,
wipe any dirt off the mountingsurface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub carefully, it may be hot fromdriving.

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Taking Care of the Unexpected
WHEEL WRENCH
EXTENSION
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Changing a Flat Tire

12. Put on the spare tire. Put the wheel nuts back on finger-tight,then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrenchuntil the wheel is firmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them fully.
13. Lower the vehicle to the ground

and remove the jack.
14.Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Havethe wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service facility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to: 80 lbf.ft (108 N.m, 11 kgf.m)

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