HONDA CIVIC COUPE 2003 7.G Owners Manual

Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car’s cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spills immediately. Spilled
coolant could damage components
in the engine compartment.
2. 3.
4. 5.6.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance208
RESERVE TANK
RADIATOR CAP
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CONT INUED
Remove the radiator cap.
Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Turn of f the
ignition. Open the hood. Make
sure the engine and radiator are
cool to the touch.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard. Remove the drain
bolt and washer f rom the engine
block. Drain the coolant into an
appropriate container.
1.
3.
2.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance209
DRAIN BOLT
DRAIN
PLUG
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µ
´ ´ µ
Disconnect the battery cables
f rom the terminals. Disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, then
the positive ( ) cable.
Remove the bolt and nut, then
remove the battery case. Remove the reserve tank
mounting bolt. Remove the
reserve tank and drain the coolant.
Put the tank back in place, making
sure its bottom tab is in the holder.
Reinstall the bolt.
Reinstall the battery and battery
case. Secure them with the bolt
and nut.Reconnect the battery cables to
the terminals. Connect the positive
( ) cable f irst, then the negative
()cable.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
Remove the battery. The audio system disables itself
when you disconnect the battery.
Whenyouturnontheradioyouwill
see ‘‘ ’’ in the f requency
display. Use the Preset buttons to
enter the f ive-digit code (see page
).
4. 6. 7.
5. 8.9.
149
Standard f or HX, LX and EX models in the U.S., and LX and Si models inCanada
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
210
NUT BOLT
BOLT
TAB
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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 enance211
Fill up to here
FILLER NECK
58 lbf·ft (78 N·m , 8.0 kgf·m)
1.03 US gal (3.9
)
1.00 US gal (3.8
)
1.00 US gal (3.8
)
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Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the radiator f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator fan comes on two
times. Then stop the engine.
Remove the radiator cap. Fill the
radiator with coolant up to the
base of the f iller neck.
Start the engine and let it run f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine.
Check the level in the radiator,
add coolant if needed.
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
16. 17. 18.
19. 20.
12.
13.
14. 15.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance212
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Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
for fuel.When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
The windshield washer reservoir is
located behind the driver’s side
headlight. Check the reservoir’s f luid
level by removing the cap and
looking at the level gauge attached
to the cap. Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
The low washer level indicator will
light when the level is low (see page
).
66
On Canadian models
Windshield Washers
Maint enance213
LEVEL GAUGE
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your car’s paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.
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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 enance214
DIPSTICK (A/T)
LOWER MARK
UPPER MARK
DIPSTICK (CVT)
DIPSTICK (A/T)
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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 (On
CVT model, HOT side’s 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.
Remove the dipstick and check the
f luid level. There are HOT side and
COLD side on the dipstick. It should
be between the upper and lower
marks on the HOT side. 5.
6.
On CVT model
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance215
UPPER MARK
DIPSTICK (CVT)
LOWER MARK
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Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two
reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:
The brake f luid should be replaced
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule.Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual Transmis-
sion Fluid (MTF) until it starts to
run out of the hole. Reinstall the
f iller bolt and tighten it securely. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
5-speed Manual Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance216
FILLER BOLT
Correct Level
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The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Low f luid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.
Always use Honda DOT 3 brake
f luid. If it is not available, you should
useonlyDOT3orDOT4fluid,from
a sealed container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
DOT 3 brake f luid as soon as
possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.
Brake System Clutch System
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance217
MAX
MIN
MAX
MIN
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