service HONDA CIVIC COUPE 1998 Owner's Manual

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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Charging System Indicator

This indicator should come on when the ignition switch is ON (II), and goout after the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
defogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated controls such as the power windows.
Keep the engine running and take
extra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly. By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATORMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Brake System Indicator

The Brake System indicator light should normally come on only when
the parking brake is not fully

released.

If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the vehicle's
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it feels
normal. If it does, check the brake
fluid level the next time you stop at a service station (see page 167). If the
fluid level is low, take the vehicle to
your dealer and have the brake system inspected for leaks or worn
brake pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take immediate action. Because of the
brake system's dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will feel the brake pedal
go down much farther before the
vehicle begins to slow down, and you will have to press harder on the
pedal. The distance needed to stop
will be much longer.
Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive

slowly and cautiously.

Taking Care of the Unexpected BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
* U.S. indicator shownMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Emergency Towing
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or,
if you belong to one, an organization
that provides roadside assistance.
Never tow your vehicle behind another vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of
professional towing equipment.Flat-bed Equipment - The operatorloads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. This is the best way to transport your Honda.
Wheel-Lift Equipment - The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.This is an acceptable way to tow
your Honda.
Sling-type Equipment - The tow
truck uses metal cables with hookson the ends. These hooks go around parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the vehicle off the ground. Your vehicle's
suspension and body can be seriously
damaged. This method of towing is
unacceptable.

If your Honda cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lift equipment with the front
wheels off the ground. If, due to damage, your vehicle must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground, do the following.
5-speed Manual Transmission
Release the parking brake.Shift the transmission to Neutral.
Automatic Transmission Release the parking brake.Start the engine.
Shift to D4, then to N.
Turn off the engine.
Improper towing preparation will

damage the transmission. Follow
the above procedure exactly. If you

cannot shift the transmission or
start the engine (automatic

transmission), your vehicle must be

transported with the front wheels

off the ground.

With the front wheels on the
ground, it is best to tow the vehicle
no farther than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the speed below 35 mph
(55 km/h).
If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground,
make sure you use a properly-
designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as
described above, and leave theignition switch in Accessory (I) so
the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
Taking Care of the Unexpected

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Tire Information
Tire Pressure Adjustment For
High Speed Driving
Honda strongly recommends that
you not drive faster than posted speed limits and conditions allow. If
you decide it is safe to drive at high speeds, be sure to adjust the cold tire
pressures as shown below. If you do
not adjust the tire pressure, exces- sive heat can build up and cause
sudden tire failure.

Be sure to readjust the pressure for

normal driving speeds. You should

wait until the tires are cold before
adjusting the tire pressure (see page
180).
DOT Tire Quality Grading
(U.S. Cars)

The tires on your car meet all U.S. Federal Safety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear, traction, and temperature perform-ance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards.
The following explains these gradings.
Treadwear

The treadwear grade is a compara- tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlledconditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one
half (1-1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the normdue to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and differences in
road characteristics and climate.

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Oxygenated Fuels

Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines

are collectively referred to as

oxygenated fuels. To meet clean air

standards, some areas of the United

States and Canada use oxygenated

fuels to help reduce emissions.

If you use an oxygenated fuel, be

sure it is unleaded and meets the

minimum octane rating requirement.

Before using an oxygenated fuel, try

to confirm the fuel's contents. Some
states/provinces require this
information to be posted on the

pump.
The following are the EPA-approved
percentages of oxygenates:
ETHANOL (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up to 10 percent ethanol by volume.Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name "Gasohol.''
MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up to 15 percent MTBE by volume.
METHANOL (methyl or wood

alcohol)

You may use gasoline containing up to 5 percent methanol by volume aslong as it also contains cosolvents
and corrosion inhibitors to protect
the fuel system. Gasoline containing more than 5 percent methanol by
volume may cause starting and/or performance problems. It may alsodamage metal, rubber and plastic
parts of your fuel system. If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or performance
problems resulting from the use of

an oxygenated fuel containing more

than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under

warranty.

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Customer Relations Information

Honda dealership personnel are
trained professionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions. If you encounter a problem that yourdealership does not solve to your
satisfaction, please discuss it with
the dealership's management. The Service Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in this way. If you are dissatisfied with the
decision made by the dealership's
management, contact your Honda Customer Relations Zone Office.
Refer to the U.S. and Canadian ZoneOffice maps on the following pages.
When you call or write, please give

us this information:

Vehicle Identification Number
(see page 230)
Name and address of the dealer
who services your vehicle Date of purchase
Mileage on your vehicle
Your name, address, and tele- phone number
A detailed description of the problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
vehicle to you
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Gasoline:

Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 86 or higher.
Fuel Tank Capacity:
11.9 US gal (45 l, 9.9 Imp gal)
Recommended Engine Oil:
API Service SJ "Energy
Conserving" oil, SAE 5W-30
viscosity (see page 155).

DX:

3.8 US qt (3.6 l, 3.2 lmp qt)
U.S.: HX, EX, Canada: Si
3.5 US qt (3.3 l, 2.9 lmp qt)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Honda Premium
Formula Auto-
matic Transmission Fluid (ATF)

HX model (CVT)

only:
Use Honda CVT Fluid only 5-speed Manual Transmission
Fluid:
Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an API service
SG, SH or SJ,
10W-30 or 10W-40
motor oil as a temporary
replacement (see page 166).
Capacity (including differential):
1.9 US qt (1.8 l, 1.6 lmp qt)
Power Steering Fluid:
Genuine Honda Power Steering
Fluid preferred, or another brand
of power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page 168).
Brake
Fluid:
Genuine Honda DOT 3 Brake Fluid
preferred, or a DOT 3 or DOT 4
brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page
166).
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Front:
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm2)

Rear:

29 psi (200 kPa , 2.0
kgf/cm2
)
Spare Tire Pressure:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2
kgf/cm 2
)
Service

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