tow HONDA CIVIC COUPE 2004 7.G Owners Manual

Pull up on the shoulder belt to
remove any slack, then check that
the belt rests across the center of
your chest and over your shoulder.
This spreads the f orces of a crash
over the strongest bones in your
upper body.This could cause
very serious injuries in a crash.
Adjust the steering wheel, if needed,
so that the wheel points toward your
chest, not toward your f ace. This
provides optimal protection f rom the
f ront airbag.
See page f or how to adjust the
steering wheel.After all occupants have adjusted
their seats and put on seat belts, it is
very important that they continue to
sit upright, well back in their seats,
with their feet on the floor, until the
vehicle is parked and the engine is
of f .
Sitting improperly can increase the
chance of injury during a crash. For
example, if an occupant slouches,
lies down, turns sideways, sits
forward, leans forward or sideways,
or puts one or both f eet up, the
chance of injury during a crash is
greatly increased.
68
Protecting A dults and Teens
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Never place t he shoulder port ion of a lap/shoulder belt under your arm orbehind your back.
Adjust the Steering Wheel Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
6.
7.
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This could result in
serious neck injuries during a crash.
This could cause
very serious injuries during a crash.
It also increases the chance that the
child will slide under the belt in a
crash and be injured.
If they do, they could
be very seriously injured in a crash.
Devices intended to improve a
child’s comf ort or reposition the
shoulder part of a seat belt can make
the belt less ef f ective, and increase
the chance of serious injury in a
crash.
Supervise the child. Even mature
children sometimes need to be
reminded to f asten the seat belts
or sit properly.
If you decide that a child can saf ely
ride up f ront, be sure to:
Caref ully read the owner’s manual
and make sure you understand all
seat belt instructions and all saf ety
inf ormation.
Move the vehicle seat to the rear-
most position.
Have the child sit up straight, back
against the seat, and feet on or
near the f loor.
Check that the child’s seat belt is
properly positioned and secured.
Remind the child not to lean
toward the door.
Of course, children vary widely. And
while age may be one indicator of
when a child can saf ely ride in f ront.
There are other important f actors
youshouldconsider.
To saf ely ride in f ront, a child must
be able to f ollow the rules, including
sitting properly, and wearing the seat
belt properly throughout a ride.
Physically, a child must be large
enough f or the lap/shoulder belt to
properly f it (see page ). If the seat
belt does not f it properly, with or
without the child sitting on a booster,
the child should not sit in f ront.
44 Additional Saf ety Precautions
Do not let a child wear a seat belt
across t he neck.
Do not let a child put the shoulderpart of a seat belt behind t he back orunder t he arm.
T wo children should never use t hesame seat belt .
Do not put any accessories on a seatbelt.
Maturity
Physical Size
Protecting L arger Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety46
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µ
µ
µ µ
µ µ
µ
µ
µ Push the right lever up or down to
select a position.
The wipers run at high
speed until you release the lever.
The wipers are not activated.
Vary the delay by turning the INT
TIME ring. The wipers run at low speed.The length of the wipe
interval is varied automatically
according to vehicle’s speed.
The wipers run at high speed. Pull the
wiper control lever toward you and
hold it. The washers spray until you
release the lever. The wipers run at
low speed, then complete one more
sweep after you release the lever.
MIST
OFF
INT Intermittent
LO Low
HI High
Windshield Washers
1.2.3.4.5.6.
OnEXmodelinU.S.,andSimodelsin
Canada
Windshield Wipers and Washers
Inst rument s and Cont rols
MIST
OFF LO
INTHI Windshield Washer
64
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See page f or important saf etyinf ormation about how to properlyposition the steering wheel. 16
Make any steering wheel adjustment
bef ore you start driving.
To adjust the steering wheel upward
or downward:Push the lever under the steering
column all the way down. Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in that position.
Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down.
Move the steering wheel so it
points to your chest, not toward
your f ace. Make sure you can see
the instrument panel gauges and
lights.
1. 4.
3.
2.
Steering Wheel A djustment
Inst rument s and Cont rols68
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.
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Lif t it up slightly to remove the
support rod f rom the hole. Put the
support rod back into its holding
clip. Lower the hood to about a
f oot (30 cm) above the f ender,
then let it drop. Make sure it is
securely latched.Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick.
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its tube. If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
3.
1. 2. 4.
152
To Close the Hood:
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
Oil Check
A dding Engine Oil
117
SUPPORT RODGRIP
CLIP DIPSTIC UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
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This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed manual and automatic
transmissions. It also includes impor-
tant inf ormation on parking your
vehicle, and the braking system.........................
Preparing to Drive . 126
.......................
Starting the Engine . 127
....
5-speed Manual Transmission . 128
..............
Automatic Transmission . 130
.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) . 134
...........................................
Parking . 137
.............................
Braking System . 138
...........................
Towing a Trailer . 138
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 139
Driving
Driving125
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Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is on an
incline.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.If the vehicle 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 vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
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.
Driving
Parking T ips
Parking
137
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Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
All Civics are equipped with f ront
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels are drum. A power assist
helps reduce the ef f ort needed on
thebrakepedal.TheABS(onsome
models) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
Braking System, Towing a Trailer
Driving
Braking System Design
Braking System
Brake Wear Indicators
Towing a Trailer
138
Front
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CONT INUED
If you need to change a headlight
bulb on the passenger’s side, remove
the bolt from the stay and push the
battery toward windshield to obtain
enough working space.Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Put the battery back to its original
position, reinstall the bolt in the
stay and tighten it securely.
Reinstall the power steering
reservoir.
(Passenger’s side)
(Driver’s side)
Insert the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place.
2. 3. 4. 5.6. 7.
Lights
Maint enance165
STAY
TAB
BULB
CONNECTOR
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Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Replace them if you f ind signs of
cracking in the rubber, areas that are
getting hard, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.
2.
1.
3.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance170
LOCK TABBLADEDo not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and wiper arms.
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