automatic transmission HONDA CIVIC COUPE 1999 Owner's Manual

Storing Your Car

If you need to park your car for an

extended period (more than one

month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storage.

Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to

get your car back on the road. If possible, store your car indoors.

Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 173).

Wash and dry the exterior
completely.

Clean the interior. Make sure the

carpeting, floor mats, etc. are

completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put

the transmission in Reverse (5-
speed manual) or Park
(automatic). Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the front wiper blade
arms with a folded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once a month).
If you store your car for 12 months
or longer, have your Acura dealer
perform the inspections called for in the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule as soos as you take it out of storage (see
page 162). The replacements called
for in the maintenance schedule are not needed unless the car has
actually reached that time or mileage.

MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t

If Your Engine Won't Start

Diagnosing why your engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):
You hear nothing, or almostnothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, oroperates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine does not start up and run. Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all. Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed all the way to the floor or thestarter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check their brightness. If the headlightsare very dim or don't light at all,
the battery is discharged. See

Jump Starting on page 227.
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the electrical circuit for the ignitionswitch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. (See

Emergency Towing on page 241.)

If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page 189). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
from a booster battery (see page 227).

Taking Care of the UnexpectedMain Menu Table of Contents s t

If Your Engine Won't Start, Jump Starting
The Starter Operates Normally In this case, the starter motor's
speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper startingprocedure? Refer to Starting the
Engine on page 137.Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light may not be working, so you were
not reminded to fill the tank.
There may be an electrical problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see page 237).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See Emergency
Towing on page 241. Jump Starting
If your car's battery has run down,
you may be able to start the engine by using a booster battery. Although
this seems like a simple procedure,
you should take several precautions.
You cannot start a Honda with an automatic transmission by pushingor pulling it. To jump start your car, follow these
directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the physical condition of the battery(see page 189). In very cold
weather, check the condition of the electrolyte. If it seems slushyor like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.

If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.

Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

2. Turn off all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,

lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or

Park and set the parking brake.

CONTINUED

Taking Care of the Unexpected

A battery can explode if you do

not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
NOTICEMain 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 operator loads 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 hooks on 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 beseriously 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. Followthe above procedure exactly. If youcannot shift the transmission or
start the engine (automatictransmission), 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 vehicleno 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

NOTICEMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index

Accessories and Modifications.... 130 Accessories................................. 130Additional Safety Precaution.... 131 Modifications............................. 131
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 70
Accessory Power Socket................ 85
Adding Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 180

Brake Fluid................................. 183 Clutch Fluid................................ 183
Engine Coolant........................... 175

Engine Oil................................... 171

Manual Transmission Fluid..... 182
Power Steering Fluid................. 184
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 180
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts........................ 42
Lap Belt......................................... 43
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44
Seat Belt System Components... 42 Additional Information About
Your SRS................................... 45
Additional Safety Precautions.... 48 How Your Airbags Work............ 45
How Your SRS Indicator
Works........................................ 47

SRS Components......................... 45

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 171

Adjustments
Head Restraints........................... 77

Mirrors.......................................... 81

Seats.............................................. 76

Steering Wheel............................ 65

Airbag (SRS)...................................... 9
Air Cleaner Element...................... 185 Air Conditioning............................... 88 Maintenance............................... 193
Usage............................................. 90
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 90
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 196 High Speed Driving................... 250
Normal Driving.......................... 196
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 252
Antifreeze....................................... 175
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light.................... 55, 153
Operation.................................... 152

Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock............................................... 70

Appearance Care........................... 213
Ashtrays (Optional)......................... 85

Audio System................................... 96

Automatic Speed Control................ 66
Automatic Transmission............... 140

Capacity, Fluid........................... 247

Checking Fluid Level................ 180

Shifting........................................ 141
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 140
Shift Lever Positions................. 141
Shift Lock Release..................... 144
Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 55, 232
Jump Starting............................. 227 Maintenance............................... 189
Specifications............................. 248
CONTINUEDMain Menu s t

Index

Before Driving............................... 123
Belts, Seat........................................... 8
Beverage Holder.............................. 84
Body Repair.................................... 214
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 151Break-in, New Linings .............. 124
Fluid............................................ 182
Light, Burned-out...................... 206
Parking.......................................... 82
System Indicator.......................... 55
Wear Indicators......................... 150
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 150
System Indicator................. 55, 153
Braking System.............................. 150
Break-in, New Car......................... 124
Brightness Control, Instruments... 62
Brights, Headlights......................... 61
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 207
Brake Lights ...................... 206, 207
Front Parking Lights................. 205
Front Side Marker Lights......... 205
Headlights.................................. 204
High-mount Brake Light.......... 209
Interior Light.............................. 210

License Plate Lights.................. 209

Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 206

Specifications............................. 248

Trunk Light................................ 211

Turn Signal Lights............. 205, 206
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 204
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 227
Capacities Chart............................. 247
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Carrying Cargo.............................. 132
Cassette Player
Operation.................................... 115

CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer.................................... 100
CD Player........................................ 100

Certification Label......................... 244

Chains............................................. 201

Change Oil
How to......................................... 173

When to....................................... 162

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 221
Changing Engine Coolant............. 177 Charging System Indicator.... 55, 232
Checking
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 180

Battery Condition...................... 189

Brake Fluid................................. 183

Clutch Fluid................................ 183

Drive Belts.................................. 194
Engine Coolant........................... 128
Engine Oil................................... 127

Fuses........................................... 236
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 182
Power Steering Fluid................. 184
Checklist, Before Driving............. 136
Cleaner, Air.................................... 185
Cleaning Exterior....................................... 214
Interior........................................ 216 Seat Belts.................................... 216
Vinyl............................................ 216 Windows..................................... 217
Clock, Setting the ............................ 99
Clutch Fluid.................................... 183

CO in the Exhaust......................... 254
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 137
Compact Spare............................... 220Main Menu s t

Index

Consumer Information*................ 258
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51

Coolant
Adding.........................................171

Checking..................................... 128

Proper Solution.......................... 175

Replacing.................................... 177

Temperature Gauge.................... 58

Corrosion Protection..................... 217

Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 254

Cruise Control Operation............... 66

Customer Relations Office........... 258
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii

Dashboard........................................ 52

Daytime Running Lights................. 61
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 227
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 262 Defog and Defrost........................... 93
Defogger, Rear Window................. 64
Defrosting the Windows................. 93
DEXRON® III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 181
Dimensions..................................... 246
Dimming the Headlights................ 61
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission........... 181
Engine Oil................................... 128

Directional Signals........................... 62

Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 241

Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 150
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 174
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 70Power Door Locks....................... 71
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 250
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 138
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Drive Belts...................................... 194
Driving............................................ 135
Economy..................................... 129
In Bad Weather.......................... 154
In Foreign Countries................. 253

Economy, Fuel............................... 129
Emergencies on the Road............. 219
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 227
Brake System Indicator............ 234 Changing a Flat Tire................. 221
Charging System Indicator...... 232
Checking the Fuses................... 237
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 231 Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 233
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 235
Overheated Engine................... 229
Emergency Brake............................ 82 Emergency Flashers....................... 64
Emergency Towing ........................ 241
Emissions Controls........................ 254Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 58
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................. 55, 233
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 55, 231
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 171
Overheating................................ 229
Specifications............................. 246
Engine Speed Limiter............139, 144

CONTINUEDMain Menu s t

Index

Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 252
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 254

Exhaust Fumes................................ 49

Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 19
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 214
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 216
Fan, Interior...................................... 88
Features, Comfort and Convenience................................. 87
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 125
Filters Air................................................ 185

Oil................................................ 173

5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 182
Shifting the................................. 138
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 64
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 221
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 180Brake........................................... 183Clutch.......................................... 183 Manual Transmission............... 182
Power Steering........................... 184
Windshield Washer................... 180
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 120
Folding Rear Seat............................ 78
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 253
Four-way Flashers........................... 64
Front End, Towing by Emergency Wrecker................. 241

Fuel.................................................. 124

Fill Door and Cap....................... 125Gauge............................................ 58
Octane Requirement................. 124
Oxygenated................................ 252
Reserve Indicator......................... 58
Tank, Filling the......................... 125
Fuses, Checking the...................... 236

Gas Mileage, Improving................ 129
Gasohol........................................... 252

Gasoline.......................................... 124
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 58
Gauge............................................ 58
Octane Requirement................. 124

Tank, Filling the......................... 125

Gas Station Procedures................. 125

Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 58

Fuel................................................58
Gearshift Lever Positions
Automatic Transmission........... 140

5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 138

Glass Cleaning............................... 217

Glove Box......................................... 83

Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 204
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 64
Headlights
Daytime Running Lights............. 61
High Beam Indicator................... 55
High Beams, Turning on............ 61
Low Beams, Turning on............. 61
Reminder Beeper......................... 61
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 204

Turning on.................................... 61

Head Restraints............................... 77Main Menu s t

Index

Reclining the Seat Backs................ 76 Recommended Shift Speeds ........ 138

Reminder Lights.............................. 53

Remote Transmitter........................ 72
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 185Coolant........................................ 177
Engine Oil and Filter................. 173

Fuses........................................... 236

Light Bulbs................................. 202
Schedule..................................... 160

Spark Plugs................................. 187

Timing Belt................................. 194

Tires............................................ 195
Wiper Blades.............................. 191
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash............................................. 44

Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 128

Restraint Child................................ 21
Reverse Gear Position................... 143
Rotation, Tire................................. 198

Safety Belts......................................... 8

Safety Defects, Reporting* .......... 262
Safety Features.................................. 7
Airbags............................................ 9Door Locks................................... 11
Head Restraints........................... 10
Seat Belts........................................ 8
Seats & Seat-Backs...................... 10

Safety Labels, Location of.............. 50
Safety Messages................................ii
Seat Belt, Additional Information.. 42 Lap Belt.........................................43
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44
Seat Belt System Components... 42

Seat Belts............................................ 8
Cleaning...................................... 216
Maintenance................................. 44
Reminder Light and Beeper....... 54
System Components.................... 42
Tether Attachment Points.......... 40 Use During Pregnancy................ 19
Seats, Adjusting the......................... 76
Serial Number................................ 244
Service Intervals............................ 160
Service Manual* ............................ 263
Service Station Procedures.......... 125
Setting the Clock............................. 99 Shifting
The Automatic Transmission .. 140
The 5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 138
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 140
Shift Lock Release......................... 144
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 205

Signaling Turns................................ 62

Snow Tires...................................... 200

Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 214
Sound System................................... 96
Spare Tire Inflating....................................... 195Specifications............................. 248
Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 187
Specifications Charts..................... 246
Speed Control................................... 66
Speedometer.................................... 57
CONTINUEDMain Menu s t

Index

SRS, Additional Information........... 45

Additional Safety Precautions.... 48
How Your Airbags Work............ 45

How Your SRS Indicator
Works........................................ 47
SRS Components......................... 45
SRS Service................................... 47

SRS Indicator.............................. 47, 54

START (Ignition Key Position)..... 70 Starting the Engine........................ 137 In Cold Weather at HighAltitude................................... 137
With a Dead Battery................. 227
Steam Coming from Engine......... 229

Steering Wheel
Adjustment................................... 65
Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 70
Stereo Sound System ...................... 96
Storing Your Car............................ 211
Supplemental Restraint System..... 45 Servicing....................................... 47

SRS Indicator.......................... 47, 54

System Components.................... 45

Synthetic Oil................................... 172 Tachometer...................................... 57
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 206
Taking Care of the Unexpected .. 219
Tape Player..................................... 115
Technical Descriptions Driving In Foreign Countries... 253
Emissions Control Systems...... 254
Oxygenated Fuels...................... 252
Three Way Catalytic Converter................................ 256
Tire Information........................ 249
Temperature Gauge........................ 58
Tether Attachment Points.............. 40
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 256

Time, Setting the............................. 99
Timing Belt..................................... 194
Tire Chains..................................... 201
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 221 Tires................................................ 195 Air Pressure............................... 195Checking Wear.......................... 197
Compact Spare........................... 220
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 250
Inflation....................................... 195 Inspection................................... 197
Maintenance............................... 197
Replacing.................................... 199
Rotating....................................... 198
Snow............................................ 200 Specifications............................. 248
Technical Information.............. 249
Technical Information................... 243 Tools,Tire Changing.................... 221
Towing A Trailer...................................... 155Emergency Wrecker................. 241
Transmission Checking Fluid Level,Automatic............................... 180
Checking Fluid Level,
Manual....................................182

Fluid Selection............................ 180
Identification Number............... 245
Shifting the Automatic..............140
Shifting the Manual................... 138
Treadwear...................................... 250
Trip Meter........................................ 57

Trunk................................................. 75
Opening......................................... 75

Open Monitor Light.................... 56Main Menu s t