wheel HONDA CIVIC COUPE 1998 Service 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.

Appearance CareMain Menu Table of Contents s t

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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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.
Taking Care of the Unexpected INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BARMain Menu Table of Contents s t

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
POINTMain Menu Table of Contents s t

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.

CONTINUED

Taking Care of the Unexpected
WHEEL WRENCH
EXTENSION
BRAKE HUBMain Menu Table of Contents s t

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)

Taking Care of the UnexpectedMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Changing a Flat Tire

15. Remove the wheel cover or center
cap.

Place the flat tire face down in the

trunk well.
16.Remove the spacer cone from the wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt.
17.Secure the flat tire by screwing the wing bolt back into its hole. 18.Store the jack in the trunk with the
end bracket on the left side. Turn
the jack's end bracket to lock it in
place. Store the tool kit.
19. Store the wheel cover or center cap in the trunk. Make sure it does
not get scratched or damaged.
20. Lower the trunk floor, then close the trunk lid.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
WING BOLT

SPACER
CONE

Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could

seriously injure the occupants.

Store the wheel, jack and tools

securely before driving.Main 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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Emergency Towing
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned off so they do not
run down the battery.
Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by
the bumpers will cause serious
damage. The bumpers are not
designed to support the vehicle's

weight.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

The steering system can be
damaged if the steering wheel is
locked. Leave the ignition switch in
Accessory (I), and make sure the
steering wheel turns freely before
you begin towing.
NOTICE
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