coolant level HONDA CIVIC COUPE 1998 Owners Manual

Gauges

U.S.: EX Instrument panel
Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the vehicle
is on level ground. It may show slightly more or less than the actual
amount when you are driving on
curvy or hilly roads. The gauge stays at the same fuel
level reading after you turn off the
ignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
reading after you turn the ignitionswitch back ON (II). Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the engine's coolant. During normaloperation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about the middle of the gauge. In severedriving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper blue zone. If it reaches the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the side of
the road. Turn to page 215 for instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling
system.

Instruments and Controls

TEMPERATURE
GAUGE TRIP METER

SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
ODOMETER
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR
TRIP METER
RESET BUTTONMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Before Driving

Before you begin driving your Honda,
you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of
important fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage or packages. The information in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your vehicle,
please read the information in this section first.
Break-in Period.............................. 108

Gasoline.......................................... 108

Service Station Procedures .......... 109 Filling the Fuel Tank................. 109Opening the Hood..................... 110

Oil Check................................ 111

Engine Coolant Check.......... 112
Fuel Economy................................ 113 Vehicle Condition...................... 113Driving Habits............................ 113
Accessories and Modifications.... 114 Carrying Cargo.............................. 116

Before DrivingMain Menu s t

Service Station Procedures

4. Remove the dipstick again and check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark, see Adding Oil on page 155. Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If it is below the MIN line, see Adding
Engine Coolant on page 159 for
information on adding the proper

coolant.
Refer to Owner Maintenance
Checks on page 153 for information
on checking other items in your

Honda.

Before Driving
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK

RESERVE

TANK

MAX
MINMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Owner Maintenance Checks
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals.


If
you are
unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the
page given.
Engine oil level

— Check every
time you
fill the fuel tank. See

page 111.

Engine coolant level

— Check the
radiator reserve
tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 112.
Windshield washer fluid

— Check
the level
in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 164.
Automatic transmission

— Check
the flui d
level monthly. See page

164.

Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. Se e
page 167.
Tires
— Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examin e
the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page 180.
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights ,
parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page 187.

MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Cooling System

Adding Engine Coolant

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system for leaks.
This coolant should always be a mixture of 50 percent antifreeze and50 percent water. Never add straight
antifreeze or plain water. Always use Genuine Honda
antifreeze/coolant. If it is notavailable, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporary replacement. Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended for aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the coolingsystem to malfunction or fail. Have
the cooling system flushed and
refilled with Honda antifreeze/ coolant as soon as possible.
If the reserve tank is completelyempty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.

CONTINUED

RESERVE TANK

Maintenance

Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.Main 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

Cooling System

8. Start the engine and let it run until it warms up (the radiator cooling
fan comes on at least twice).
9. Turn off the engine. Check the level in the radiator, add coolant ifneeded. Install the radiator cap,
and tighten it fully.
10.Fill the reserve tank to the MAXmark. Install the reserve tank cap.

Maintenance

RESERVE TANKMain Menu Table of Contents s t

If Your Engine Overheats

4. If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
5. Wait until you see no more signs of steam or spray, then open the

hood.

6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks, such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot, so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you continue driving (see Emergency
Towing on page 227).
7. If you don't find an obvious leak, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page112). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
8. If there was no coolant in the reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, before check- ing the radiator.
9. Using gloves or a large heavy cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushingdown, to the first stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes off. 10.Start the engine and set the
temperature control lever tomaximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water. Remember to have the coolingsystem drained and refilled with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.

11.Put the radiator cap back on tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engineneeds repair. (See EmergencyTowing on page 227).
12.1f the temperature stays normal, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the MAX mark. Put the cap back on

tightly.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.Main Menu Table of Contents s t

Index

Accessories and Modifications.... 114 Accessories................................. 114
Additional Safety Precaution.... 115Modifications............................. 115
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 68
Accessory Power Socket................ 83
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 164
Brake Fluid................................. 167 Clutch Fluid................................ 167
Engine Coolant........................... 159
Engine Oil................................... 155
Manual Transmission Fluid..... 166Power Steering Fluid................. 168
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 164
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts........................ 40
Lap Belt......................................... 41
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 40
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 42
Seat Belt System Components... 40 Additional Information About

Your SRS................................... 43

Additional Safety Precautions.... 46 How Your Airbags Work............ 43
How Your SRS Indicator
Works........................................ 45

SRS Components......................... 43

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 156

Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 188

Head Restraints........................... 75

Mirrors.......................................... 79

Seats.............................................. 74

Steering Wheel............................ 63

Airbag (SRS)...................................... 7

Air Cleaner Element...................... 169
Air Conditioning............................... 86 Maintenance............................... 177
Usage............................................. 86
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 88
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 180 High Speed Driving................... 236
Normal Driving.......................... 180
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 238
Antifreeze....................................... 159
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)

Indicator Light.....................
53, 137

Operation.................................... 13 6

Anti-thef
t Steering Column

Lock...............................................68

Appearance Care........................... 199
Ashtrays (Optional)......................... 83
Audio System................................... 94
Automatic Speed Control................ 64
Automatic Transmission............... 124
Capacity, Fluid........................... 233

Checking Fluid Level................ 164

Shifting........................................ 125

Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 124
Shift Lever Positions................. 125
Shift Lock Release..................... 128
Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 53,

218

Jump Starting............................ .
213
Maintenance............................... 173
Specifications............................. 234
CONTINUEDMain Menu s t

Index

Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 238

Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 240

Exhaust Fumes................................ 47

Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by.........................................17

Exterior, Cleaning the................... 200

Fabric, Cleaning............................. 202

Fan, Interior...................................... 86

Features, Comfort and Convenience................................. 85
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 109
Filters
Air................................................169

Oil................................................ 157

5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 166

Shifting the................................. 122

Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 62
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 207

Fluids
Automatic Transmission........... 164
Brake...........................................167
Clutch..........................................167
Manual Transmission............... 166

Power Steering........................... 168
Windshield Washer................... 164
FM Stereo Radio
Reception...................................... 94

Folding Rear Seat............................ 76
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 239
Four-way Flashers........................... 62

Front End, Towing by
Emergency Wrecker................. 227

Fuel..................................................108
Fill Door and Cap....................... 109
Gauge............................................ 56

Octane Requirement................. 108
Oxygenated................................ 238

Reserve Indicator......................... 54

Tank, Filling the......................... 109

Fuses, Checking the...................... 222

Gas Mileage, Improving................ 113
Gasohol........................................... 238

Gasoline.......................................... 108
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 54
Gauge............................................ 56
Octane Requirement................. 108

Tank, Filling the......................... 109

Gas Station Procedures................. 109

Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 56

Fuel................................................ 56

Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........... 1255-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 122
Glass Cleaning............................... 203
Glove Box......................................... 8 1
Haloge n Headligh t
Bulbs.............. 189
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 62
Headlights
Aiming......................................... 188
Daytime Running Lights............. 59
High Beam Indicator................... 54
High Beams, Turning on............ 59
Low Beams, Turning on............. 59 Reminder Beeper......................... 59
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 189

Turning on....................................

59Main Menu s t