maintenance HONDA CIVIC COUPE 2000 7.G User Guide

U.S
. Owner s
Follo w th e Norma l Condition s
Maintenance Schedule i f th e
sever e drivin g condition s
specifie d i n th e Sever e
Condition s Maintenance
Schedul e d o no t apply .
NOTE : I f yo u onl y
OCCASIONALLY drive unde r a
"severe " condition , yo u shoul d
follo w th e Norma l Condition s
Maintenanc e Schedule .
Canadia n Owner s
Follo w th e Maintenanc e
Schedul e fo r Sever e Conditions .
# : Se e informatio n o n maintenanc e an d emission s warranty , last column , pag e 177 .
Maintenanc e

Ai
r Cleane r Elemen t
Th e ai r cleane r elemen t shoul d b e
replace d accordin g to th e tim e an d
distanc e recommendation s in th e

maintenanc e schedule .
Replacemen
t
On DX, DX Value Package and LX
models in the U.S., and all models in

Canada

Th e ai r cleane r elemen t i s insid e th e
ai r cleane r housin g in th e engin e
compartment .
T o replac e it :
1 . Unsna p th e fou r clip s an d remov e
th e ai r cleane r housin g cover .
2 . Remov e th e ol d ai r cleane r
element .
3
. Carefull y clea n th e insid e o f th e

ai r cleane r housin g wit h a dam p

rag .

4 . Plac e th e ne w ai r cleane r elemen t

i n th e ai r cleane r housing .

5 . Reinstal l th e ai r cleane r housin g

cover , sna p th e fou r clip s bac k int o

place .

Maintenance

CLIP
S

AIR CLEANE R ELEMEN T

Batter
y
I f th e terminal s ar e severel y cor -
roded , clea n the m wit h bakin g sod a
an d water . The n us e a wrenc h to
loose n an d remov e th e cable s fro m
th e terminals . Alway s disconnec t th e
negativ e (— ) cabl e firs t an d recon -
nec t i t last . Clea n th e batter y termi -
nal s wit h a termina l cleanin g too l o r
wir e brush . Reconnec t an d tighte n
th e cables , the n coa t th e terminal s
wit h grease . I
f yo u nee d t o connec t th e batter y t o
a charger , disconnec t bot h cable s t o
preven t damag e t o th e car' s
electrica l 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.

On U.S. DX Value Package and EX

models

I f you r car' s batter y i s disconnecte d
o r goe s dead , th e audi o syste m wil l
disabl e itself . Th e nex t tim e yo u tur n o
n th e radi o yo u wil l se e " "
i n th e frequenc y display . Us e th e
Prese t button s t o ente r th e five-digi t
cod e (se e pag e 13 9 ) .

Maintenanc e
Th
e batter y give s of f explosiv e
hydroge n ga s durin g norma l
operation .
A spar k o r flam e ca n caus e th e
batter y t o explod e wit h enoug h
forc e t o kil l o r seriousl y hur t you .
Wea r protectiv e clothin g an d a
fac e shield , o r hav e a skille d
mechani c d o th e batter y
maintenance .
NOTIC
E

Ai
r Conditionin g Syste m

Optional for U.S. DX, and Canadian LX,
EX models
You r car' s ai r conditionin g is a seale d
system . An y majo r maintenance ,
suc h a s recharging , shoul d b e don e
b y a qualifie d mechanic . Yo u ca n d o
a coupl e o f thing s t o mak e sur e th e
ai r conditionin g work s efficiently .
AI R CONDITIONIN G
CONDENSE R Periodicall
y chec k th e engine' s
radiato r an d ai r conditionin g
condense r fo r leaves , insects , an d
dir t stuc k t o th e fron t surface . Thes e
bloc k th e ai r flo w an d reduc e coolin g
efficiency . Us e a ligh t spra y fro m a
hos e o r a sof t brus h to remov e them .

The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray or soft-bristle brush to clean them.

Ru n th e ai r conditionin g a t leas t onc e
a wee k durin g th e col d weathe r
months . Ru n it fo r a t leas t te n
minute s whil e yo u ar e drivin g a t a
stead y spee d wit h th e engin e a t
norma l operatin g temperature . Thi s
circulate s th e lubricatin g oi l con -
taine d in th e refrigerant . I
f th e ai r conditionin g doe s no t ge t a s
col d a s before , hav e you r deale r
chec k th e system . Recharg e th e
syste m wit h Refrigeran t HFC-134 a
(R-134a) . (Se e Specification s o n pag e
265 .)

Whenever you have the air conditioning

system serviced, make sure the service

facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can

damage the environment.

Maintenance

NOTIC
E
NOTIC E

Tire
s

T o safel y operat e you r car , you r tire s
mus t b e th e prope r typ e an d size , i n

goo d conditio n wit h adequat e tread ,

an d correctl y inflated . Th e followin g

page s giv e mor e detaile d informatio n
o n ho w an d whe n to chec k ai r
pressure , ho w to inspec t you r tire s
fo r damag e an d wear , an d wha t t o d o
whe n you r tire s nee d to b e replaced .
Inflatio
n

Keepin g th e tire s properl y inflate d
provide s th e bes t combinatio n o f
handling , trea d lif e an d ridin g
comfort . Underinflate d tire s wea r
unevenly , adversel y affec t handlin g
an d fue l economy , an d ar e mor e
likel y t o fai l fro m bein g overheated .
Overinflate d tire s ca n mak e you r ca r
rid e mor e harshly , ar e mor e pron e t o
damag e fro m roa d hazards , an d wea r

unevenly .

W e recommen d tha t yo u visuall y
chec k you r tire s ever y day . I f yo u
thin k a tir e migh t b e low , chec k i t
immediatel y wit h a tir e gauge .
Us e a gaug e to measur e th e ai r
pressur e a t leas t onc e a month . Eve n
tire s tha t ar e in goo d conditio n ma y
los e on e to tw o ps i (1 0 to 2 0 kPa , 0. 1
t o 0. 2 kgf/cm 2) pe r month .
Remembe r t o chec k th e spar e tir e a t
th e sam e tim e yo u chec k al l th e
othe r tires . Chec
k th e pressur e in th e tire s whe n
the y ar e cold . Thi s mean s th e ca r
ha s bee n parke d fo r a t leas t thre e
hours . I f yo u hav e to driv e th e ca r
befor e checkin g th e tir e pressure ,
th e tire s ca n stil l b e considere d
"cold " i f yo u driv e les s tha n 1 mil e

(1.6km) .

I f yo u chec k th e pressur e whe n th e
tire s ar e ho t (th e ca r ha s bee n drive n
severa l miles) , yo u wil l se e reading s
4 to 6 ps i (3 0 to 4 0
kPa ,
0. 3 to 0. 4
kgf/cm 2) highe r tha n th e col d
reading . Thi s is normal . D o no t le t
ai r ou t t o matc h th e specifie d col d
pressure . Th e tir e wil l b e

underinflated .

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

Usin
g tire s tha t ar e excessivel y
wor n o r improperl y inflate d ca n
caus e a cras h i n whic h yo u ca n
b e seriousl y hur t o r killed .
Follo w al l instruction s i n thi s
owner' s manua l regardin g tir e
inflatio n an d maintenance .

Tire
s
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheel s
Th e tire s tha t cam e wit h you r ca r
wer e selecte d t o matc h th e perform -
anc e capabilitie s o f th e ca r whil e
providin g th e bes t combinatio n o f
handling , rid e comfort , an d lon g life .
Yo u shoul d replac e the m wit h radia l
tire s o f th e sam e size , loa d range ,
spee d rating , an d maximu m col d tir e
pressur e ratin g (a s show n o n th e
tire' s sidewall) . Mixin g radia l an d
bias-pl y tire s o n you r ca r ca n reduc e
it s brakin g ability , traction , an d
steerin g accuracy .
It i s bes t t o replac e al l fou r tire s a t
th e sam e time . I f tha t i s no t possibl e
o r necessary , the n replac e th e tw o
fron t tire s o r th e tw o rea r tire s a s a
pair . Replacin g jus t on e tir e ca n
seriousl y affec t you r car' s handling .Th
e AB S work s b y comparin g th e
spee d o f th e wheels . Whe n replacin g
tires , us e th e sam e siz e originall y
supplie d wit h th e car . Tir e siz e an d
constructio n ca n affec t whee l spee d
an d ma y caus e th e syste m to wor k in -
consistently .
I f yo u eve r nee d to replac e a wheel ,
mak e sur e th e wheel' s specification s
matc h thos e o f th e origina l whee l
tha t cam e o n you r car . Replacemen t
wheel s ar e availabl e a t you r Hond a

dealer .

Maintenance

Installin
g imprope r tire s o n you r
ca r ca n affec t handlin g an d
stability . Thi s ca n caus e a cras h

i n whic h yo u ca n b e seriousl y

hur t o r killed .

Alway s us e th e siz e an d typ e o f
tire s recommende d in thi s
owner' s manual .

Tire
s

Tire Chains

Moun t sno w chain s o n you r vehicl e
whe n warrante d b y drivin g condi -
tion s o r require d b y loca l laws . Mak e
sur e th e chain s ar e th e correc t siz e
fo r you r tires . Instal l the m onl y o n
th e fron t tires . I f meta l chain s ar e
used , the y mus t b e SA E clas s "S. "
Cabl e typ e tractio n device s ca n als o
b e used .
Whe n installin g chains , follo w th e
manufacturer' s instruction s an d
moun t the m as tightl y a s yo u can .
Driv e slowl y wit h chain s installed . I f
yo u hea r th e chain s contactin g th e
bod y o r chassis , sto p an d investigate .
Mak e sur e th e chain s ar e installe d
tightly , an d tha t the y ar e no t
contactin g th e brak e line s o r
suspension . Remov e th e chain s a s
soo n a s yo u begi n drivin g o n cleare d

roads .
Chains of the wrong size or that are
improperly installed can damage your
car's brake lines, suspension, body, and
wheels. Stop driving if you hear the chains hitting any part of the car.

Maintenance

NOTIC
E

Light
s

Replacin g Bulb s i n th e Interio r
Light s
CEILIN G LIGH T
U.S . E X
Althoug h th e ceilin g ligh t an d
spotlight s com e apar t th e sam e way ,
the y d o no t us e th e sam e typ e o f

bulbs .

1 . Remov e th e len s b y carefull y
pryin g o n th e edg e o f th e len s i n
th e middl e wit h a fingernai l fil e o r
a smal l flat-ti p screwdriver . D o no t
pr y o n th e edg e o f th e housin g
aroun d th e lens . excep
t U.S . E X
2 . Remov e th e bul b b y pullin g it
straigh t ou t o f it s meta l tabs .
3 . Pus h th e ne w bul b int o th e meta l
tabs . Sna p th e len s bac k in place .

Maintenance

CEILIN
G LIGH T
SPOTLIGHT
E X mode l

Interio
r Care , Corrosio n Protectio n

Window s
Clea n th e windows , insid e an d out ,
wit h a commercially-availabl e glas s
cleaner . Yo u ca n als o us e a mixtur e
o f on e par t whit e vinega r t o te n part s
water . Thi s wil l remov e th e haz e tha t
build s u p o n th e insid e o f th e
windows . Us e a sof t clot h o r pape r
towel s t o clea n al l glas s an d clea r
plasti c surfaces .

The rear window defogger and
antenna wires are bonded to the inside
of the glass. Wiping vigorously up-and-

down can dislodge and break these

wires. When cleaning the rear window,
use gentle pressure and wipe side-to-

side.
Ai
r Freshener s
I f yo u wan t t o us e a n ai r freshener /
deodorize r i n th e interio r o f you r car ,

i t i s bes t t o us e a soli d type . Som e
liqui d ai r freshener s contai n chemi -
cal s tha t ma y caus e part s o f th e
interio r tri m an d fabri c t o crac k o r
discolor .
I f yo u us e a liqui d ai r freshener ,
mak e sur e yo u faste n it securel y s o it
doe s no t spil l a s yo u drive . Corrosio
n Protectio n
Tw o factor s normall y contribut e t o
causin g corrosio n in you r car :
1 . Moistur e trappe d in bod y cavities .
Dir t an d roa d sal t tha t collect s i n
hollow s o n th e undersid e o f th e
ca r stay s damp , promotin g
corrosio n in tha t area .
2 . Remova l o f pain t an d protectiv e
coating s fro m th e exterio r an d
undersid e o f th e car .
Man y corrosion-preventiv e measure s
ar e buil t int o you r Honda . Yo u ca n
hel p kee p you r ca r fro m corrodin g
b y performin g som e simpl e periodi c
maintenance : Repai
r chip s an d scratche s i n th e
pain t a s soo n a s yo u discove r them .

CONTINUED

Appearanc e Car e

NOTIC
E

Inde
x

Accessorie s an d Modifications... . 14 9
Accessories................................ . 14 9
Additiona l Safet y Precaution... . 15 0
Modifications............................ . 15 0
ACCESSOR Y (Ignitio n Ke y
Position)....................................... . 7 1
Accessor y Powe r Socket............... . 8 7
Addin g
Automati c Transmissio n

Fluid....................................... . 19 7

Brak e Fluid................................ . 19 8
Clutc h Fluid............................... . 19 9

Engin e Coolant.......................... . 19 1

Engin e Oil.................................. . 18 7

Manua l Transmissio n Fluid.... . 19 8
Powe r Steerin g Fluid................ . 20 0
Windshiel d Washe r Fluid........ . 19 6
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t
You r Sea t Belts....................... . 4 2
La p Belt........................................ . 4 3
Lap/Shoulde r Belt...................... . 4 2
Sea t Bel t Maintenance............... . 4 4
Sea t Bel t Syste m Components.. . 4 2
Additiona
l Informatio n Abou t

You r SRS................................... 45

Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 4 8

Ho w the SRS Indicato r

Works....................................... . 4 7

Ho w You r Airbag s Work........... . 4 5

SR S Components........................ . 4 5

Additives , Engin e Oil.................... . 18 8

Adjustment s

Hea d Restraints.......................... . 7 9

Mirrors......................................... . 8 3

Seats............................................. . 7 7

Steerin g Wheel........................... . 6 5

Airba g (SRS)............................... . 9 , 4 5

Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 20 1

Ai r Conditionin g System................ . 9 0

Maintenance.............................. . 20 9

Usage............................................ . 9 0

Ai r Outlet s (Vents)......................... . 9 2
Ai r Pressure , Tires....................... . 21 1
Hig h Spee d Driving.................. . 21 2
Norma l Driving......................... . 21 2
Alcoho l i n Gasoline....................... . 26 8
Antifreeze...................................... . 19 1
Anti-loc k Brake s (ABS )
Indicato r Light.................... .55, 16 9 Operation...................................
. 16 7

Anti-thef t Steerin g Colum n

Lock.............................................. . 7 0

Appearanc e Care.......................... . 23 1
Ashtray s (Optional)........................ . 8 7
Audi o System.................. . 98 , 107 , 12 1
Automati c Spee d Control............... . 6 6
Automati c Transmission.............. . 16 0

Capacity , Fluid.......................... . 26 4

Checkin g Flui d Level............... . 19 7
Shifting....................................... . 16 1

Shif t Leve r Positio n Indicator. . 16 0

Shif t Leve r Positions................ . 16 1

Shif t Loc k Release.................... . 16 4

Batter y
Chargin g Syste m
Indicator........................... . 55 , 25 0
Jum p Starting............................ . 24 5
Maintenance.............................. . 20 5
Specifications............................ . 26 5
Befor e Driving.............................. . 14 1
CONTINUED