towing HONDA CIVIC COUPE 2000 7.G Owners Manual

2000 Civic Sedan
Online Reference Owner's Manual
Contents

Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
........................................ .51
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... . 89
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................141
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .155
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................173
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care........................................................................\
..................................................... .231
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
..............................237
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
............................................ .261
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................273
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................279
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
.............................................................................. I
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump. Service Information Summary Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.\
helminc.com. If you have a Civic refer to Civic Sedan GX Owner’s Manual Supplement
for additional information.
Owner's Identification Form

Takin
g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
Thi s sectio n cover s th e more -
commo n problem s tha t motorist s
experienc e wit h thei r vehicles . I t
give s yo u informatio n abou t ho w to
safel y evaluat e th e proble m an d wha t
t o d o t o correc t it . I f th e proble m ha s
strande d yo u o n th e sid e o f th e road ,
yo u ma y b e abl e t o ge t goin g again .
I f not , yo u wil l als o fin d instruction s
o n gettin g you r ca r towed . Compac
t Spar e Tire...................... . 23 8
Changin g a Fla t Tire.................... . 23 9
I f You r Engin e Won' t Start.......... . 24 4
Nothin g Happen s o r th e Starte r
Moto r Operate s Ver y
Slowly..................................... . 24 4
Th e Starte r Operate s

Normally................................. 245

Jump Starting................................ . 24 5
I f You r Engin e Overheats............ . 24 7
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator......... . 24 9
Chargin g Syste m Indicator.......... . 25 0
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lam p ....... . 25 1
Brak e Syste m Indicator............... . 25 2
Closin g th e Moonroof.................. . 25 3
Fuses.............................................. . 25 4
Checkin g an d Replacing.......... . 25 5
Emergenc y Towing...................... . 25 9

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Emergenc
y Towin g

I f you r ca r need s t o b e towed , cal l a
professiona l towin g servic e or , i f yo u
belon g to one , a n organizatio n tha t
provide s roadside assistance . Neve r
to w you r ca r behin d anothe r vehicl e
wit h jus t a rop e o r chain . I t i s ver y

dangerous .

Ther e ar e thre e popula r type s o f
professiona l towin g equipment .

Flat-bed Equipment — Th e operato r

load s you r ca r o n th e bac k o f a truck .
Thi s i s th e bes t wa y t o transpor t
you r Honda .
Wheel-Lift Equipment — Th e to w
truc k use s tw o pivotin g arm s tha t g o
unde r th e tire s (fron t o r rear ) an d lif t
the m of f th e ground . Th e othe r tw o
tire s remai n o n th e ground . Thi s is
a n acceptabl e wa y t o to w you r
Honda .

Sling-type Equipment — Th e to w

truc k use s meta l cable s wit h hook s o
n th e ends . Thes e hook s g o aroun d
part s o f th e fram e o r suspensio n an d
th e cable s lif t tha t en d o f th e ca r of f
th e ground . You r car' s suspensio n
an d bod y ca n b e seriousl y damaged .
Thi s metho d o f towin g is
unacceptable .
I f you r Hond a canno t b e transporte d
b y flat-bed , i t shoul d b e towe d b y
wheel-lif t equipmen t wit h th e fron t
wheel s of f th e ground . I f du e t o
damage , you r ca r mus t b e towe d
wit h th e fron t wheel s o n th e ground ,
d o th e following :

5-speed Manual Transmission
Releas e th e parkin g brake .
Shif t th e transmissio n t o Neutral .

Automatic Transmission
Releas e th e parkin g brake .
Star t th e engine .
Shif t t o D4 , the n t o N .
Tur n of f th e engine .
Improper towing preparation will

damage the transmission. Follow the

above procedure exactly. If you cannot

shift the transmission or start the

engine (automatic transmission), your

car must be transported with the front

wheels off the ground.

Wit h th e fron t wheel s o n th e ground ,
i t i s bes t t o to w th e ca r n o farthe r
tha n 5 0 mile s (8 0 km) , an d kee p th e
spee d belo w 3 5 mp h (5 5 km/h) .
I f you r ca r i s equippe d wit h a fron t
spoiler , remov e it befor e towin g s o it
i s no t damaged .

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E

Emergenc
y Towin g

I f yo u decid e t o to w you r ca r wit h al l
fou r wheel s o n th e groud , mak e sur e
yo u us e a properly-designe d an d
attache d to w bar . Prepar e th e ca r fo r
towin g a s describe d above , an d leav e
th e ignitio n switc h i n Accessor y (I )
s o th e steerin g whee l doe s no t lock .
Mak e sur e th e radi o an d an y item s
plugge d int o th e accessor y powe r
socke t ar e turne d of f s o the y d o no t
ru n dow n th e battery .
The steering wheel system can be
damaged if the steering wheel is locked.
Leave the ignition switch in Accessory (I), and make sure the steering wheel
turns freely before you begin towing.
Trying to lift or tow your car by the

bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to

support the car's weight.

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E NOTIC
E

Inde
x

Clutc h Fluid................................... . 19 9

C O in th e Exhaust........................ . 27 0

Col d Weather , Startin g in............ . 15 7

Compac t Spare.............................. . 23 8

Consume r Information*............... . 27 4
Controls , Instrument s and............. .
51

Coolan t

Adding........................................ . 19 1

Checking.................................... .
14
7

Prope r Solution......................... . 19 1

Replacing................................... . 19 3

Temperatur e Gauge................... . 5 8

Corrosio n Protection.................... . 23 5

Crankcas e Emission s Contro l

System........................................ . 27 0

Cruis e Contro l Operation.............. . 6 6
Custome r Relation s Office.......... . 27 4
DANGER , Explanatio n of................ . i i
Dashboard................................... . 2 , 5 2
Daytim e Runnin g Lights................ . 6 1
Dea d Battery , Wha t t o Do........... . 24 5
Defects , Reportin g Safety............ . 28 0
Defo g an d Defrost.......................... . 9 5 Defogger
, Rea r Window................ . 6 4
Defrostin g th e Windows................ . 9 5
DEXRON ® II I Automati c
Transmissio n Fluid................... . 19 7
Dimensions.................................... . 26 4
Dimmin g th e Headlights............... . 6 1
Dipstic k
Automati c Transmission.......... . 19 7

Engin e Oil.................................. . 14 6

Directiona l Signals.......................... . 6 2

Disabled , Towin g You r Ca r If..... . 25 9

Dis c Brak e Wea r Indicators........ . 16 6
Disposa l o f Use d Oil..................... . 19 0
Door s
Lockin g an d Unlocking.............. . 7 1
Powe r Doo r Locks...................... . 7 2
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading.......... . 26 6
Downshifting , 5-spee d Manua l
Transmission............................. . 15 8
Driv e Belts..................................... . 21 0
Drive r an d Passenge r Safety........... . 5
Driving........................................... . 15 5
Economy.................................... . 14 8
I n Ba d Weather......................... . 17 0
I n Foreig n Countries................ . 26 9 Economy
, Fuel.............................. . 14 8
Emergencie s o n th e Road............ . 23 7
Battery , Jum p Starting............. . 24 5
Brak e Syste m Indicator............ 252
Changin g a Fla t Tire................ . 23 9
Chargin g Syste m Indicator..... . 25 0
Checkin g th e Fuses.................. . 25 5
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator..... . 24 9
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lamp... . 25 1
Manuall y Closin g Moonroof... . 25 3
Overheate d Engine.................. . 24 7
Emergenc y Brake........................... . 8 5
Emergenc y Flashers...................... . 6 4
Emergenc y Towing...................... . 25 9
Emission s Controls....................... . 27 0

Engin e

Coolan t Temperatur e Gaug e .... . 5 8
Driv e Belts................................. . 21 0
Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lamp................................ .56, 25 1
Oi l Pressur e Indicator........ . 55 , 24 9
Oil , Wha t Kin d to Use.............. . 18 7

CONTINUED

Inde
x

Radiato r Overheating................... . 24 7

Radio/CD/Cassett e

Soun d Syste m ............. .
98, 107, 121

Rea r En d
Towing..........................
. 25 9

Rea r Lights , Bul b

Replacement...................... . 223 , 22 4

Rea r Seat , Folding.......................... . 8 0

Rea r Vie w Mirror............................ . 8 3
Rea r Windo w Defogger................. . 6 4
Reclinin g th e Sea t Backs............... . 7 7
Recommende d Shif t Speed s ....... . 15 9
Reminde r Lights............................. . 5 3
Remot e Transmitter....................... . 7 3
Replacemen t Informatio n
Ai r Cleane r Element................. . 20 1
Engin e Coolant.......................... . 19 3
Engin e Oi l an d Filter................ . 18 9

Fuses.......................................... . 25 5

Ligh t Bulbs................................ . 22 0

Schedule.................................... . 17 8

Spar k Plugs................................ . 20 3

Timin g Belt................................ . 21 0

Tires........................................... . 21 5

Wipe r Blades............................. . 20 7
Replacin
g Sea t Belt s Afte r a

Crash............................................ . 4 4

Reserv e Tank , Engin e
Coolant............................... . 147, 19 1

Restraint , Child............................... . 2 1

Revers e Gea r Position.................. . 16 2

Rotation , Tire................................ . 21 4

Safet y Belts.................................. .8 , 4 2
Safet y Defects , Reporting * ......... . 27 8
Safet y Features................................. . 7
Airbags........................................... . 9
Doo r Locks.................................. . 1 1
Hea d Restraints.......................... . 1 0
Sea t Belts....................................... . 8
Seat s & Seat-Backs..................... . 1 0

Safet y Labels , Locatio n of............. . 5 0

Safet y Messages............................... . i i
Sea t Belt , Additiona l Information. . 4 2
La p Belt......................................... 43
Lap/Shoulde r Belt...................... . 4 2
Sea t Bel t Maintenance............... . 4 4
Sea t Bel t Syste m Components.. . 4 2
Sea
t Belts..................................... . 8 , 4 2

Cleaning..................................... . 23 4

Maintenance................................ . 4 4

Reminde r Ligh t an d Beeper...... . 5 4

Syste m Components................... . 4 2

Tethe r Anchorag e Points.......... . 4 0
Us e Durin g Pregnancy............... . 1 9
Wearin g a Lap/Shoulde r Belt... . 1 5
Wearin g th e La p Belt................. . 1 7

Seats , Adjustin g the........................ . 7 7

Seria l Number............................... . 26 2
Servic e Intervals........................... . 17 8

Servic e Manual * ........................... . 27 9

Servic e Statio n Procedures......... . 14 3
Settin g th e Clock.......... .

101, 112, 126

Shiftin g
Th e Automati c
Transmissio
n .. 16 0
Th e 5-spee d Manua l

Transmission......................... . 15 8

Shif t Leve r Positio n Indicator..... . 16 0
Shif t Loc k Release........................ . 16 4
Sid e Marke r Lights , Bul b

Replacemen t in......................... . 22 1

Signalin g Turns............................... . 6 2

CONTINUED

Inde
x

Transmissio n
Checkin g Flui d Level ,
Automatic.............................. . 19 7
Checkin g Flui d Level ,

Manual................................... . 19 8

Flui d Selection.................. .197, 19 8
Identificatio n Number.............. . 26 3
Shiftin g th e Automatic............. . 16 0
Shiftin g th e Manual.................. . 15 8
Treadwear..................................... . 26 6

Tri p Meter....................................... . 5 7

Trunk................................................ . 7 6

Opening........................................ . 7 6
Ope n Monito r Light................... . 5 6
Tur n Signals.................................... . 6 2
Underside , Cleaning..................... . 23 5
Unexpected , Takin g Car e

o f the.......................................... . 23 7

Unifor m Tir e Qualit y Grading.... . 26 6
Unleade d Gasoline........................ . 14 2
Upholster y Cleaning..................... . 23 4
Use d Oil , Ho w to Dispos e of....... . 19 0 Vehicl
e Capacit y Load................. . 15 1
Vehicl e Dimensions...................... . 26 4
Vehicl e Identificatio n Number.... . 26 2
Vehicl e Storage............................. . 22 9
Ventilation........................................ . 9 3
VIN................................................. . 26 2
Viny l Cleaning............................... . 23 4
Viscosity , Oil.................................. . 18 8 Warnin
g Beeper s
Headlight s on.............................. . 6 1
Ke y i n Ignition............................. . 7 1

Sea t Belts..................................... . 5 4

WARNING , Explanatio n of............. . i i

Warnin g Labels , Locatio n of......... . 5 0

Warrant y Coverages*.................. . 27 7
Washer , Windshiel d
Checkin g th e Flui d Level........ . 19 6
Indicator....................................... . 5 6
Operation..................................... . 6 3
Washing......................................... . 23 2
Waxin g an d Polishing.................. . 23 3 Wheel
s
Adjustin g th e Steering............... . 6 5
Alignmen t an d Balance............ . 21 3
Compac t Spare.......................... . 23 8
Wrench...................................... . 24 0
Window s
Cleaning..................................... . 23 5
Operatin g th e Power.................. . 8 1
Rear , Defogger........................... . 6 4
Windshiel d
Cleaning....................................... . 6 3
Defroster..................................... . 9 5
Wipers , Windshiel d
Changin g Blades....................... . 20 7
Operation..................................... . 6 3
Wor n Tires.................................... . 21 3
Wrecker , Emergenc y Towing..... . 25 9
* : U.S . an d Canad a onl y