run flat HONDA CIVIC COUPE 1999 Owners Manual

Fuel Economy
The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Vehicle Condition Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte- nance is the Owner MaintenanceChecks (see page 169). For
example, an underinflated tire
causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out faster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car's underside adds weight and rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your fuel mileage and reduces the chance of corrosion.
Driving Habits

You can improve fuel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.

Depending on traffic conditions, try

to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up.
your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to "warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get better fuel economy. To cut down on
the number of "cold starts," try tocombine several short trips into one.

The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it

use more fuel. Turn off the A/C to

cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the flow-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is moderate.

Before DrivingMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Automatic Transmission
Engine Speed Limiter
If you exceed the maximum speedfor the gear you are in, the enginespeed will enter into the tachometer's
red zone. If this occurs, you may
feel the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine's
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.

Driving
Shift Lock Release
This allows you to move the shift lever out of Park if the normalmethod of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
1. Set the Parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.

3. Put a cloth on the edge of the shift lock release slot cover next to theshift lever.
Use a small flat-tipped screwdriver or small metal plate (neither are
included in the tool kit) to remove
the cover. Carefully pry off the edge of the cover.Main Menu Table of Contents s t

Tires

Inspection

Every time you check inflation, you should also examine the tires for

damage, foreign objects, and wear.

You should look for:
Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
you find either of these conditions.
Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see fabric or cord.

Excessive tread wear.
Your car's tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down to that point, you
will see a 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide
band running across the tread. This shows there is less than 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread left on the tire. A
tire that is this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace the tire if you can see the
tread wear indicator in three or more
places around the tire.
Maintenance

In addition to proper inflation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you find a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealercheck the wheel alignment.
The tires were properly balanced by the factory. They may need to berebalanced at some time before they
are worn out. Have your dealer
check the tires if you feel a consis-
tent vibration while driving. A tire should always be rebalanced if it is
removed from the wheel for repair.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATORSMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

(U.S.: EX and Si, Canada: SiR)
Replacing the Trunk Light Bulb

(U.S.: HX, EX and Si, Canada: DX,
EX, SiR models)

1. Remove the lens by carefully prying on the edge of the lens in
the middle with a fingernail file ora small flat-tip screwdriver. Do not
pry on the edge of the housing around the lens. 2. Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal tabs. Snap the lens back in place.

Maintenance

SPOTLIGHT

TRUNK LIGHTMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Changing a Flat Tire
If you have a flat tire while driving, stop in a safe place to change it.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive slowly along the shoulder until you
get to an exit or an area to stop that is far away from the traffic lanes.
1. Park the car on firm, level, non-slippery ground away from traffic.
Put the transmission in Park.
Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire. 3. Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
floor by lifting up on the back edge.
4. Take the tool kit out of the trunk. 5. Unscrew the wing bolt and take the spare tire out of the trunk.

CONTINUED

Taking Care of the Unexpected

SPARE TIRE
TRUNK FLOOR
JACK
TOOL KIT

The car can easily roll off the

jack, seriously injuring anyone
underneath.

Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.Main Menu Table of Contents s t

Changing a Flat Tire

15. Remove the wheel cover or center
cap.

Place the flat tire face down in the

trunk well.
16.Remove the spacer cone from the wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt.
17.Secure the flat tire by screwing the wing bolt back into its hole. 18.Store the jack in the trunk with the
end bracket on the left side. Turn
the jack's end bracket to lock it in
place. Store the tool kit.
19. Store the wheel cover or center cap in the trunk. Make sure it does
not get scratched or damaged.
20. Lower the trunk floor, then close the trunk lid.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
WING BOLT

SPACER
CONE

Loose items can fly around the

interior in a crash and could

seriously injure the occupants.

Store the wheel, jack and tools

securely before driving.Main Menu Table of Contents 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

Heating and Cooling........................ 88

High Altitude, Starting at.............. 137

High-Low Beam Switch.................. 61

High-mount Brake Light............... 209

Hood, Opening the........................ 126

Horn................................................... 60

Hot Coolant, Warning about........ 175

Hydraulic Clutch............................ 183

Hydroplaning.................................. 154

Identification Number, Vehicle.... 244

If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 241
Ignition
Keys............................................... 69

Switch............................................ 69

Timing Control System............. 255
Important Safety Precautions.......... 6
Indicator Lights, Instrument
Panel.............................................. 53

Infant Restraint................................ 29

Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 195
High Speed Driving................... 250

Normal Driving.......................... 195
Inside Mirror.................................... 81
Inspection, Tire.............................. 197

Instrument Panel............................. 52

Instrument Panel Brightness......... 62

Interior Cleaning............................ 216

Interior Light.................................... 86

Introduction......................................... i

Jacking up the Car......................... 221

Jack, Tire........................................ 221

Jump Starting................................. 227

Keys................................................... 69
Label, Certification........................ 244

Lane Change, Signaling.................. 62

Lap Belt............................................. 43

Lap/Shoulder Belts......................... 42

Leaking of Exhaust into Car.......... 49

Lights
Bulb Replacement..................... 204
Indicator........................................ 53

Parking.......................................... 64

Turn Signal................................... 62

LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 70

Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 70Fuel Fill Door............................. 125
Power Door.................................. 71

Trunk............................................ 75

Low Coolant Level......................... 128 Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 58
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 138
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 55, 231
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 247

Luggage.......................................... 132

CONTINUED

Maintenance................................... 157

Owner Maintenance Checks.... 169

Record.................................. 167-168

Required Indicator....................... 59Main Menu s t