automatic transmission HONDA CIVIC COUPE 2001 7.G User Guide

µYou must also press the release
button to shift into Park. To avoid
transmission damage, come to a
complete stop bef ore shif ting into
Park. The shif t lever must be in Park
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
This position
mechanically locks the transmission.
Use Park whenever you are turning
of f or starting the engine. To shif t
outofPark,youmustpressonthe
brake pedal, have your foot off the
accelerator pedal, and press the
releasebuttononthefrontof the
shif t lever.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see Shif t Lock Release on page .
184Do this:
Press the brake pedal and
press the release button.
Press the release button.
Move the lever.
To shift from:
PtoR
RtoP
NtoR StoL
LtoS
StoD
DtoS
DtoN
NtoD RtoN
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
Park (P)
186

µ
µ µ
µ µ
To shift from Re-
verse to Park, see the explanation
under Park. To shif t to Reverse f rom
Neutral, come to a complete stop
first. Press the release button before
shifting into Reverse from Neutral.
Use Neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Always shif t to
Park position if you need to leave the
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from Neutral to
another position. Use this position f or
your normal driving. The transmis-
sion automatically adjusts to keep
the engine at the best speed f or
driving conditions. To help the
engine warm up f aster, the transmis-
sion will select ratios that allow the
engine to run at higher speeds when
it is cold.
Selecting Second
shifts the transmission into a lower
range of ratios f or better accelera-
tion and increased engine braking.
Use Second when you are going
down a steep hill, or in stop-and-go
driving. ForfasteraccelerationwheninD,S
or L, the transmission will
automatically ‘‘kick down’’ to a lower
range of ratios by pushing the
accelerator pedal to the floor.
The CVT shifts automatically to
maintain proper engine speed in any
shif t position.
When the vehicle reaches the
maximum speed in any shif t position,
you may f eel the engine cut in and
out. This is caused by a limiter (112
mph, 180 km/h) in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
speed below the maximum.To shif t to Low, press
the release button on the front of the
shif t lever. Use Low to get more
power when climbing, and f or
maximum engine braking when
going down steep hills.
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
Reverse (R)
Neutral (N) Drive (D)
Second (S)
Maximum Allowable Speeds Low (L)
187

µMake sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Make sure the parking brake is f ully
released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes. Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lockthedoorswiththekeyorthe
remote transmitter.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on
the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not f ully released; it
does not indicate that the parking
brakeisfirmlyset.Makesurethe
parking brake is set f irmly or your
car may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
If your car has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park.Thiskeepsthecarfrom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission making it easier to
move the shift lever out of Park
when you want to drive away. If the car is f acing uphill, turn the
f ront wheels away f rom the curb. If
you have a manual transmission, put
it in f irst gear.
If the car is f acing downhill, turn the
f ront wheels toward the curb. If you
have a manual transmission, put it in
reverse gear.
Parking T ips
Driving
Parking
188

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .196
.
Important Safety Precautions . 197
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 198
....................
Maintenance Record .205
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 207
..............................
Fluid Locations .208
......................................
Engine Oil .209
..................................
Adding Oil .209
....................
Recommended Oil .209
..............................
Synthetic Oil .210
....................................
Additives .210
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 211
.............................
Cooling System .213
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 213
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 215
....................
Windshield Washers .219
.......................
Transmission Fluid .220
Automatic .........................
Transmission .220
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .222
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 223
............................
Brake System .223
...........................
Clutch System .223
..............................
Power Steering .224
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .225 ....................................
Hood Latch .226
....................................
Spark Plugs .227
..............................
Replacement .227
............................
Specif ications .229
...........................................
Battery .230
.................................
Wiper Blades .232
..............
Air Conditioning System . 234
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 235
.....................................
Drive Belts .237
....................................
Timing Belt .237
...............................................
Tires .238
......................................
Inf lation .238
Recommended Tire Pressures ...........
f or Normal Driving . 239
..................................
Inspection .240
..............................
Maintenance .240
.............................
Tire Rotation .241
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 242
......................
Wheels and Tires .243
..........................
Winter Driving .243
.............................
Snow Tires .243
...................
Traction Devices . 244
.............................................
Lights .245
.....................
Headlight Aiming .247
........................
Replacing Bulbs .250
...........................
Storing Your Car .254
311
Maint enance
Maintenance
195

µµµ µ
µ
µ
µ
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
youfillthefueltank.Seepage .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
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 . Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . 166
167
219
220 223 238
245
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance207

Tightening torque: When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainpluginthe
bottom of the radiator. Apply non-
hardening sealant to the drain bolt
threads, put a new washer on the
drain bolt, and reinstall the drain
bolt in the engine block. Tighten it
securely.Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.The cooling system capacity is:
10.
11.
CONT INUED
With 5-speed manual transmission:With automatic transmission:With automatic transmission (CVT):
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance217
F FIILLL LEE R
R N
NEEC
CK K
F
Fi illll u
u p
p t
too h
he
erree
58 lbf·ft (78 N·m , 8.0 kgf·m) 1.03 US gal (3.9
, 0.86 Imp gal)
1.00 US gal (3.8
, 0.84 Imp gal)
1.00 US gal (3.8
, 0.84 Imp gal)

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Park the car on level ground. Shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait at least 60 seconds,
andnomorethan90seconds,
af ter shutting of f the engine to
check the f luid level. 3. 4.
1. 2.
Automatic Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance220
D D
I
IPP S
ST TI
ICCK K U
UP
PP
PE
ER
R
M
M A
AR
RKK
L
LO OW WE ER
R
M
M A
AR
RKK U
UP
PP
PE
ER
R
M
M A
AR
RKK
L
LO OW WE ER
R
M
M A
AR
RKK
D
D
I
IPP S
ST TI
ICCK K (
(C
CV V T
T)
)
C
CVV T
T

Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it is not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), then drive the
vehicle a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a f inal time. 5. 6.
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance221

Block the rear wheels.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).
If you need to park your car f or an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.Coverthecarwitha‘‘breathable’’
cover, one made f rom a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
If you store your car f or 12 months
or longer, have your Honda dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the24monthsmaintenanceschedule
(Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page ).
The replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
211
200
St oring Your Car
Maint enance254

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
f loor by lif ting up on the back edge.
Take the tool kit out of the trunk.
Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
Park the car on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground away f rom
traf f ic. Put the transmission in
Park (automatic) or Reverse
(manual). Apply the parking brake.
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.
5. 4. 3.
2. 1.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed265
S SP PA
A R
REE T
TI
IRRE E T
TR
RU UN NKK F
FLLOOO ORR
T
T O
OO OLL K
KIITT J
JAA C
CKK
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.