lock HONDA CIVIC COUPE 1998 Workshop Manual

Driving in Bad Weather, Towing a Trailer

Traction — Check your tires frequently for wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing "hydroplaning" (loss oftraction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all four
wheels for the best handling.
Watch road conditions carefully, they can change from moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. "Clear" roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when theoutside temperature is near freezing.
The road surface can become covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be careful when downshifting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the drive wheels for a moment and cause

a skid.
Be very cautious when passing, or
being passed by other vehicles. The
spray from large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buffeting can cause you to lose control.
Towing a Trailer

Your vehicle is not designed to tow atrailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.

DrivingMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Cooling System

1. Make sure the engine and radiator are cool.
2. Turn the radiator cap counter- clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
3. Remove the radiator cap by pushing down and turningcounterclockwise.
4. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Addcoolant if it is low.
5. Put the radiator cap back on. Tighten it fully.
6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank. Fill it to halfway between the MAXand MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle's
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.

Maintenance
RADIATOR CAP
RESERVE TANKMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Power Steering

On DX model with automatic-

transmission, HX and EX models in the
U.S., and DX and Si models in Canada

Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
fluid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Always use Genuine Honda PowerSteering Fluid. If it is not available,
you may use another power steering fluid as an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can causeincreased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system flushed and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible. A low power steering fluid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently and have
the system inspected as soon as

possible.

Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

Maintenance
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
NOTICEMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Wiper Blades
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months. Look for signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you find these signs, or they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
To replace the blade:1. Raise the wiper arm off the windshield. 2. Disconnect the blade assembly
from the wiper arm by pushing inthe lock tab. Hold it in while youpush the blade assembly toward
the base of the arm.
CONTINUED

Maintenance

WIPER ARMS
LOCK TABMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Wiper Blades

3. Remove the blade from its holder by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull firmly until the tabs
come out of the holder. 4. Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
forcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinforcementstrips from the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the edge of the new blade. 5. Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
6. Slide the wiper blade assembly onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
7. Lower the wiper arm down against the windshield.

Maintenance
BLADE
BLADE

REINFORCEMENTMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Air Conditioning System
Standard on U.S. EX model

Your vehicle's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should be
done by a qualified mechanic. You
can do a couple of things to makesure the air conditioning works
efficiently. Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specifications on page 234.)
Whenever you have the air conditioning

system serviced, make sure the service

facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can

damage the environment.

Maintenance

NOTICE
NOTICE

AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSERMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

1. Open the hood. If you need to change the head-
light bulb on the driver's side,
remove the power steering
reservoir tank by pulling it out of
its holder. 2. Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by squeezing theconnector on both sides to unlock
the tab. Pull the connector straight
off.

3. Remove the rubber weather seal by pulling on the tab.
4. Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire from its slot. Pivot it out ofthe way and remove the bulb.
5. Insert the new bulb into the hole, making sure the tabs are in theirslots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place and clip the end into
the slot.
6. Install the rubber seal over the back of the headlight assembly.Make sure it is right side up; it is

marked ''TOP".

7. Push the electrical connector onto the tabs of the new bulb. Makesure it locks in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb.
8. (Driver's side) Reinstall the power steering

reservoir.

Maintenance
HOLDER

WEATHER SEAL
BULB
CONNECTOR HOLD-DOWN WIREMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking Light Bulb
1. If you are changing the bulb on the driver's side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off theengine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger's side, turn
the steering wheel to the left. 2. Use a flat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip from the
inner fender.
3. Pull the inner fender cover off.
4. Remove the socket from the headlight assembly by turning itone-quarter turn counterclockwise. 5. Remove the burned out bulb from
the socket by pushing it in and
turning counterclockwise until it
unlocks.

6. Install the new bulb in the socket. Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
7. Insert the socket back into the headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
8. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
9. Put the inner fender cover in place. Install the holding clip and tighten
it securely.

Maintenance

HOLDING

CLIPMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

Replacing Rear Bulbs (in Fenders)

1. Open the trunk.

Undo the fastener on the side of the
trunk lining by pushing on the center of the fastener's head until it pops in.
Pull the lining back. 2. Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight/side
marker light or turn signal.
3. Remove the socket by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise. 4. Pull the bulb straight out of its

socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
5. Reinstall the socket into the light assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
6. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
7. Reinstall the trunk lining.

MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

8. Reset the fastener by pushing on the pointed end until it pops backalmost flush with the fingers on
the housing.
9. Put the fastener in the hole of the side of the trunk lining and push
on the center until it locks (the
center is flush with the head).
Replacing Rear Bulbs (in Trunk

Lid)
1. Open the trunk.
2. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the two screws from the
bulb holder. Remove the holder
from the taillight assembly. 3. Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight/sidemarker or back-up light.
4. Remove the socket by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise.

CONTINUED

Maintenance
SCREWMain Menu Table of Contents s t