Temperature HONDA CIVIC COUPE 2003 7.G Owner's Guide

If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
8.
9.
10. 11. 12.
283
Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed271
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate. The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
The tires on your car meet all U.S.
Federal Saf ety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear,
traction, and temperature perform-
ance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards.
The f ollowing explains these
gradings.
All passenger car tires must conf orm
to Federal Saf ety Requirements in
addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example: Treadwear Traction AA, A, B, C
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Cars)
T echnical Inf ormation290
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The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire f ailure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
perf ormance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Saf ety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of perf ormance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law. Warning: The temperature grade f or
this tire is established f or a tire that
is properly inf lated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinf la-
tion, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire
f ailure.
Temperature A,B,C
T echnical Inf ormation
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Cars)
291
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The three way catalytic converter
contains precious metals that serve
as catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without af f ecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is ref erred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Honda part
or its equivalent.Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter inef f ective.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on f ire any com-
bustible materials that come near it.
Park your car away f rom high grass,
dry leaves, or other f lammables.
A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine’s per-
f ormance. Follow these guidelines to
protect your car’s three way catalytic
converter. Keep the engine tuned-up.
Have your car diagnosed and
repaired if it is misf iring, back-
f iring, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly.
(DX, LX and U.S. HX models)
(U.S. EX and Canadian Si models)
Three Way Catalytic Converter
T echnical Inf ormation296
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
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CONT INUED
If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle re-tested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle for re-testing
by doing the f ollowing.Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4).
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 8
hours or more.
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 20° and
95°F. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
Keep the vehicle in Park
(automatic transmission) or
Neutral (manual transmission).
Increase the engine speed to 2,000
rpm and hold it there until the
temperature gauge rises to at least
1/4of thescale(approximately3
minutes).
If you take your car for a state
emissions test shortly af ter the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions.
T echnical Inf ormation
St at e Emissions T est ing
T esting of Readiness Codes
297
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................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard . 2, 60
................
Daytime Running Lights . 74
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 302
........................
Def og and Def rost . 115
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 78
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 115
....................................
Dimensions . 288
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 73
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 214
..................................
Engine Oil . 160
..........................
Directional Signals . 75
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 183
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 206
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 84
......................
Power Door Locks . 84
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission . 172
.....................................
Drive Belts . 231
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
............................
Capacities Chart . 288
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 55
.................................
Cargo Hooks . 168
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 165
Cassette Player
............................................
Care . 148
...........................
Operation . 124, 145
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..........................
CD Changer . 127, 141
..............................
CD Player . 127, 139
..................................
Ceiling Light . 105
........................
Certif ication Label . 286
............................................
Chains . 238
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 259
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 209
Changing Oil
........................................
How to . 205
......................................
When to . 192
...
Charging System Indicator . 64, 273
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 170
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 21
Child Seats
...........................
Lower Anchors . 42
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41 ....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 219
Cleaning
......................................
Exterior . 250
.......................................
Interior . 252
...................................
Seat Belts . 253
...........................................
Vinyl . 253
....................................
Windows . 254
.................
Clock, Setting the . 123, 135
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 217
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 294
......................................
Coat Hook . 105
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 171
..............................
Compact Spare . 258
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 300
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 59
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 207
....................................
Checking . 161
.........................
Proper Solution . 207
...................................
Replacing . 209
...................
Temperature Gauge . 71
....................
Corrosion Protection . 255
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System . 294
............
Cruise Control Operation . 151
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 300
Index
C D
II
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CONT INUED
...........................................
Driving . 169
....................................
Economy . 162
.........................
In Bad Weather . 187
................
In Foreign Countries . 293
............................
Fabric, Cleaning . 253
...................................
Fan, Interior . 110
Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience . 109
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 157
Filters
................................
Air Cleaner . 219
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 229
...............................................
Oil . 205 5-speed Manual Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 216
................................
Shif ting the . 172
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 78
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 259
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 214
..........................................
Brake . 217
.........................................
Clutch . 217
..............
Manual Transmission . 216
..........................
Power Steering . 218
..................
Windshield Washer . 213
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception . 137
...........................
Folding Rear Seat . 94
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 293
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 78
.................................................
Fuel . 156
....................................
Economy . 162
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 157
...........................................
Gauge . 70
................
Octane Requirement . 156
...............................
Oxygenated . 292
........................
Reserve Indicator . 66
........................
Tank, Filling the . 157
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 162
............
Emergencies on the Road . 283
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 267
...........
Brake System Indicator . 275
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 259
.....
Charging System Indicator . 273
..................
Checking the Fuses . 279
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 272
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 274
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 277
..................
Overheated Engine . 269
.........................
Emergency Brake . 100
......................
Emergency Flashers . 78
......................
Emergency Towing . 283
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
.......................
Emissions Controls . 294Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 71
.................................
Drive Belts . 231 Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 66, 274
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 64, 272
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 203
...............................
Overheating . 269
............................
Specif ications . 288
.......................................
Starting . 171
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 173, 177
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 292
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 294
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 55
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 250
Index
E
F
III
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Fuses, Checking the . 279
........................
Jacking up the Car . 259
.......................................
Jack, Tire . 259
................................
Jump Starting . 267
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 162
..........................................
Gasohol . 292
.........................................
Gasoline . 156
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 66
...........................................
Gauge . 70
................
Octane Requirement . 156
........................
Tank, Filling the . 157
................
Gas Station Procedures . 157
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 71
...............................................
Fuel . 70
...............................
Speedometer . 69
.................................
Tachometer . 69
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 174
5-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission . 172
..............................
Glass Cleaning . 254
......................................
Glove Box . 101 .............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 241
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 78
Headlights
............
Daytime Running Lights . 74
..................
High Beam Indicator . 66
........................
Reminder Beeper . 73
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 241
...................................
Turning on . 73
..............................
Head Restraints . 92
.....................
Heating and Cooling . 110
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 171
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 73
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 245
....................................
Hood Latch . 220
.......................
Hood, Opening the . 158
..................................................
Horn . 72
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch . 217
.................................
Hydroplaning . 188
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 286
Ignition
..............................................
Keys . 80 ...........................................
Switch . 82
............
Timing Control System . 295
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicators, Instrument
.............................................
Panel . 61
...............................
Inf ant Restraint . 30
Inf ant Seats
...........................
Lower Anchors . 42
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 232
.........................
Normal Driving . 233
...................................
Inside Mirror . 99
.............................
Inspection, Tire . 234
........................
Instrument Panel . 2, 58
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 74
...........................
Interior Cleaning . 252
...............................
Interior Lights . 105
........................................
Introduction . i
Index
G H I J
IV
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CONT INUED
................................
Maintenance . 47
......
Reminder Light and Beeper . 64
...................
System Components . 45
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 16
........................
Seats, Adjusting the . 90
...............................
Serial Number . 286
...........................
Service Intervals . 192
...........................
Service Manual . 309
.........
Service Station Procedures . 157
..................
Setting the Clock . 123, 135
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 174
........................
Shif t Lock Release . 178
..............................
Side Airbags . 10, 51
....................
Cutof f Indicator . 53, 64
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .................
Replacement in . 242, 244
...............................
Signaling Turns . 75
.....................................
Snow Tires . 237
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 250
........................
Sound System . 118, 130
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating . 258
............................
Specif ications . 289
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 221
....................
Specif ications Charts . 288 ................................
Speed Control . 151
...................................
Speedometer . 69
.......................................
Spotlights . 106
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 49
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 54
.............................
Airbag Service . 54
How the Passenger Airbag
CutoffIndicator Light ...................................
Works . 53
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works . 52
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work . 49
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 51
........................
SRS Components . 49
.............................
SRS Indicator . 52, 64
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 83
........
Testing of Readiness Codes . 297
.......................
Starting the Engine . 171
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude . 171
................
With a Dead Battery . 267
..............
State Emissions Testing . 297
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 269
Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment . 79 .............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 82
...........
Stereo Sound System . 118, 130
...........................
Storing Your Car . 248
Supplemental Restraint
................................
System . 10, 49
......................................
Servicing . 54
.........................
SRS Indicator . 52, 64
...................
System Components . 49
..................................
Synthetic Oil . 204
.....................................
Tachometer . 69
Taillights, Changing
......................................
Bulbs in . 242
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 257
...........................
Tape Player . 124, 145
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 294
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels . 292
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter . 296
.......................
Temperature Gauge . 71
Index
T
VII
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