head HONDA CIVIC COUPE 1999 Owner's Manual

Seat Adjustments, Folding Rear Seat

The front head restraints adjust for height. You need both hands to
adjust the restraint. Do not attempt
to adjust it while driving. To raise it, pull upward. To lower the restraint,
push the release button sideways and push the restraint down.
To remove a head restraint for cleaning or repair, pull it up as far as
it will go. Push the release button
and pull the restraint out of the seat-
back. Folding Rear Seat
The back of the rear seat folds down to give you direct access to the trunk.Each side folds down separately.
With only half the seat folded, you can still carry a passenger in the
back seat.
To fold down either side of the seat-back from inside the car, insert themaster key in the lock on the rearshelf. To fold down the driver's side,
turn the key clockwise, pull down the
top of the seat-back, then release the
key. To fold down the passenger's side, turn the key counterclockwise
and perform the same procedure.

Instruments and Controls
MASTER KEYMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Moonroof, Mirrors

On EX and Si models in the U.S., and Si
and SiR models in Canada

Use the switches on the dashboard
under the left vent to operate the

moonroof. The ignition must be ON

(II).

To lift the rear of the moonroof for
ventilation, push the button.

To slide the moonroof back, push

the switch. Hold it until the

moonroof reaches the desired
position, then release the switch.
To close the moonroof, press and hold the switch.
If you try to open the moonroof in
below-freezing temperatures, or whenit is covered with snow or ice, you can
damage the moonroof panel or motor.
Mirrors

Keep the inside and outside mirrors
clean and adjusted for best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors before
you start driving.
The inside mirror has clay and night positions. The night position reduces
glare from headlights behind you. Flip the tab on the bottom edge of
the mirror to select the day or night

position.

Instruments and Controls

Moonroof
Closing the moonroof on
someone's hands or fingers can
cause serious injury.Make sure passengers are
clear of the moonroof before
closing it.

NOTICE TABMain Menu Table of Contents s t

The Braking System
Brake System Design
The hydraulic system that operates the brakes has two separate circuits.Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking at two wheels.
Anti-lock Brakes
(Optional)

ABS helps to prevent the wheels from locking up and skidding during
hard braking, allowing you to retainsteering control. When the front tires skid, you lose
steering control; the car continues
straight ahead even though you turn
the steering wheel. The ABS helps to prevent lock-up and helps you retainsteering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly; much faster than a person can do it.
You should never pump the brake pedal, this defeats the
purpose of the ABS. Let the ABS
work for you by always keeping firm,steady pressure on the brake pedal
as you steer away from the hazard.
This is sometimes referred to as
"stomp and steer."

CONTINUED

Driving

FrontMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Driving in Bad Weather

Rain, fog, and snow conditions re-
quire a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well- maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these condi-

tions.
Driving Technique — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may seem just barely damp. Applysmooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery. Visibility — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This ismore difficult in bad weather. To be seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see
page 93).

DrivingMain 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 127. 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 180. Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
180.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 183.Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page 196. 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 202.

MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Windshield Washers, Transmission Fluid

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers often, check the level every time you stop

for fuel.

The windshield washer reservoir is located behind the driver's side
headlight. Check the reservoir's fluid
level by removing the cap and
looking at the level gauge attached
to
the cap.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR

Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.

Antifreeze can damage your car's paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can

damage the windshield washer pump.

Use only commercially-available

windshield washer fluid.
The engine and transmission must
be at normal operating temperature
before checking the fluid level. Drive
the vehicle at least 10 miles (16
kilometers) before checking.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine. For accurate
results, wait at least 60 seconds,
and no more than 90 seconds,
after shutting off the engine to
check the fluid level.

Maintenance
NOTICE

Automatic Transmission

DIPSTICK (AUTOMATIC

TRANSMISSION)

DIPSTICK (CVT)Main Menu Table of Contents s t

Spark Plugs

5. Torque the spark plug. (If you do not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque: 13 lbf.ft (18 N.m, 1.8 kgf.m) Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine. Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

6. Install the spark plug cap.

7. Repeat this procedure for the other three spark plugs.
Specifications:

(U.S.: HX)
NGK: ZFR4F-11DENSO: KJ14CR-L11
(U.S.: DX, EX, Canada: DX, Si) NGK: ZFR5F-11
DENSO: KJ16CR-L11

(U.S.: Si, Canada: SiR)
NGK: PFR6L-13
DENSO: PK20PR-L13

Spark Plug Gap:
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
Maintenance
NOTICEMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

Check the operation of your car's
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an unsafe condition by reducing your
car's visibility and the ability tosignal your intentions to other

drivers.

Maintenance
HEADLIGHT

TURN SIGNAL/
SIDE MARKER/
PARKING LIGHTSMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

Check the following: Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals Back-up lights
Hazard light function
License plate light
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights (Canadian models)
If you find any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible. Refer to the chart on page 248 to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed.
Maintenance
STOP/TAILLIGHTS/
REAR SIDE MARKER LIGHTS
STOP/TAILLIGHTS

LICENSE PLATE
LIGHT
BACK-UP LIGHT

TURN SIGNAL LIGHTSMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Your car has halogen headlight bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass fromcontact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean

cloth.

Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.
If you need to change the head-
light bulb on the driver's side, remove the power steeringreservoir 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.

Maintenance

NOTICE

HOLDER


WEATHER SEAL


BULB

CONNECTOR

HOLD-DOWN WIREMain Menu Table of Contents s t