Electrical HONDA CIVIC COUPE 1999 Owners Manual

Additional Information About Your SRS
SRS Components

Your Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) includes: Two front airbags. The driver's
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the front
passenger's airbag is stored in the dashboard. Both are marked "SRS
AIRBAG." Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe frontal
collision. A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors thesensors, control unit, the airbag
activators, and all related wiring
when the ignition is ON (II). An indicator light on the
instrument panel that alerts you to
a possible problem with thesystem (see page 47). Emergency backup power in case
your car's electrical system is disconnected in a crash. How Your Airbags Work
If you ever have a moderate tosevere frontal collision, the sensors
will detect rapid deceleration and signal the control unit to instantly
inflate the airbags.
During a crash, your seat belt helps
restrain your lower body and torso.
Your airbag provides a cushion to help restrain and protect your headand chest.
Driver and Passenger Safety
CONTINUEDMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Folding Rear Seat, Power Windows

To release the seat-back from inside the trunk, pull the release under the
rear shelf. Push the seat-back down,
then let go of the release.
To lock the seat-back upright, push it firmly against the rear shelf. Makesure it is latched in place by pulling
on the top of the seat. Make sure all items in the trunk, or
items extending through the opening
into the back seat, are secured.
Loose items can fly forward and
cause injury if you have to brake
hard. See Carrying Cargo on page 132.
Never drive with the seat-back
folded down and the trunk lid open. See Carbon Monoxide Hazard on
page 49. Power Windows

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

Your car's windows are electrically- powered. Turn the ignition switch toON (II) to raise or lower either
window.
Each door has a switch that controls
its window. To open the window,
push the switch down and hold it.
Release the switch when you want
the window to stop. Close the
window by pulling back on the switch and holding it.

CONTINUED

Instruments and Controls

RELEASEMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Beverage Holder

Be careful when you are using the
beverage holder. A spilled liquid that
is very hot can scald you or your
passengers. Spilled liquids can also damage the upholstery, carpeting,
and electrical components in the
interior.

Instruments and ControlsMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Audio System
Theft Protection
On U.S. EX and Si models

Your car's audio system will disable itself if it is disconnected fromelectrical power for any reason. To
make it work again, the user must enter a specific five-digit code in the
Preset buttons. Because there are
hundreds of number combinations
possible from five digits, making the system work without knowing the
exact code is nearly impossible.
You should have received a card that lists your audio system's codenumber and serial number. It is best
to store this card in a safe place at
home. In addition, you should write
the audio system's serial number in
this Owner's Manual. If you should
happen to lose the card, you must obtain the code number from your
Honda dealer. To do this, you will
need the system's serial number. If your car's battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the audio system will
disable itself. If this happens, you will see in the frequency
display the next time you turn on the
system. Use the Preset buttons toenter the five-digit code. If it is
entered correctly, the radio will start
playing.
If you make a mistake entering the
code, do not start over or try to
correct your mistake. Complete the
five-digit sequence, then enter the correct code. You have ten tries toenter the correct code. If you are
unsuccessful in ten attempts, you
must then leave the system on for one hour before trying again. You will have to store your favorite
stations in the Preset buttons after
the system begins working. Your
original settings were lost when
power was disconnected.

Comfort and Convenience FeaturesMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Audio System

Radio signals, especially on the FM
band, are deflected by large objects such as buildings and hills. Your
radio then receives both the direct signal from the station's transmitter,
and the deflected signal. This causes
the sound to distort or flutter. This is a main cause of poor radio reception
in city driving. Radio reception can be affected by
atmospheric conditions such as
thunderstorms, high humidity, and
even sunspots. You may be able to
receive a distant radio station one day and not receive it the next day
because of a change in conditions. Electrical interference from passing
vehicles and stationary sources can cause temporary reception problems.
As required by the FCC: Changes or modifications not
expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate

the equipment.

Comfort and Convenience FeaturesMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Accessories and Modifications

Modifying your car, or installingsome non-Honda accessories, can
make your car unsafe. Before you make any modifications or add anyaccessories, be sure to read the
following information.

Accessories
Your dealer has Genuine Honda accessories that allow you to
personalize your car. These accessories have been designed and
approved for your car, and are
covered by warranty.
Non-Honda accessories are usually designed for universal applications.
Although aftermarket accessories may fit on your car, they may not
meet factory specifications, and
could adversely affect your car's
handling and stability. (See "Modifications" on the page 131 for
additional information.) When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems shouldnot interfere with your car's
computer-controlled systems, such as the SRS and anti-lock brake

system.

However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your car's electrical system capacity, they can interfere with the operation of your car, or even cause the
airbags to deploy.
Before installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does notobscure any lights, or interfere
with proper car operation or
performance.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits (see page 239). Have the installer contact your
Honda dealer for assistance before
installing any electronic accessory.
If possible, have your dealer inspect
the final installation.
Before Driving
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
car's handling, stability and performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding accessories and modifications.Main Menu Table of Contents s t

Starting the Engine

1. Apply the parking brake.

2. In cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories to reduce

the drain on the battery.

3. Manual Transmission:
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not function unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.

Automatic Transmission (Including
CVT):

Make sure the shift lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.

4. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. If the enginedoes not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) for
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause for at least 10 seconds

before trying again.
5. If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedalso the engine does not race.
6. If the engine still does not start, press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while starting in order to clear flooding.
As before, keep the ignition key in the START (III) position for nomore than 15 seconds. Return tostep 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal so the engine does not race.

Starting in Cold Weather at High

Altitude (Above 8,000 feet/
2,400 meters)

An engine is harder to start in cold weather. The thinner air found at
high altitude above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) adds to the problem.
Use the following procedure:
1. Turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the drain on the battery.
2. Push the accelerator pedal half- way to the floor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do nothold the ignition key in START (III) for more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smoothsout.
3. If the engine fails to start in step 2, push the accelerator pedal to the
floor and hold it there while you try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the enginedoes not start, return to step 2.
DrivingMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Battery
If the terminals are severely cor-roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables from
the terminals. Always disconnect the negative ( — ) cable first and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car's electrical system.
Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car's electronic controls Detach the
battery cables before connecting the battery to a charger
Maintenance
NOTICE

The battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled mechanic do the battery
maintenance.Main 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

Lights

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.
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 the
engine. 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 back.
4. Remove the socket from the headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
CONTINUED

Maintenance

HOLDING

CLIPMain Menu Table of Contents s t