HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK 2003 7.G Owners Manual

Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
af ter it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
Put the new spark plug into the
socket, then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.
Remove the spark plug with a 16
mm (f ive-eighths inch) spark plug
socket.
Remove the ignition coil.
Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.
Use a wrench to remove the bolt
holding the ignition coil. Pull the
ignition coil up slightly.
8.
7.
6.
3. 4. 5.
Spark Plugs
Maint enance
182 BOLT CONNECTOR
IGNITION COIL LOCK TAB
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)

Install the ignition coil into the
hole.
Connect the wire connector to the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.Push the ignition coil down all the
way. Install the bolt.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other three spark plugs.
Reinstall the coil cover, and
tighten the f our nuts.
Tightening torque:
NGK:
DENSO:
9.
10. 13.
12.
11.
Specif ications:
Maint enance
Spark Plugs
183
7 lbf·ft (9.8 N·m , 1.0 kgf·m)
IZFR6K-11SKJ20DR-M11
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
of f with plain water. Dry of f the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent f uture corrosion.
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window
on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the
test indicator’s colors.
Check the condition of your car’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
Battery
Maint enance
184 TEST INDICATOR WINDOW

µ
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car’s
electrical system.
If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the audio system will
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the radio you will see ‘‘ ’’ in
the f requency display. Use the
Preset buttons to enter the five-digit
code (see page ).123
Battery
Maint enance185
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normaloperation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the batterymaintenance.
Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car’s electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables bef ore connecting the
battery to a charger.

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.
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
To replace a f ront wiper blad:Raise the driver’s side f irst, then
the passenger’s side. 2.
1.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance
186 WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB

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.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield.
Lower the passenger’s side f irst,
then the driver’s side.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
CONT INUED
Maint enance
Wiper Blades
187
BLADE
BLADE
REINFORCEMENT

Slide the blade out of the holder.
To replace a rear wiper blade:
Pull one end of the blade out f rom
the holder. Examine the new wiper blade. If it
has no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.
Slide the new blade into the holder.
Make sure it is engaged in the slot
along its f ull length.Insert both ends of the blade into
the holder. Make sure they are
secure.
Lower the wiper arm.
Raise the wiper arm of f the rear
window.
3. 4. 5.6. 7.
1. 2.
Maint enance
Wiper Blades
188 BLADE
REINFORCEMENT

Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
251
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance189
AIR CONDITIONING
CONDENSER
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.

The air conditioning f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the heating
andcoolingsystem.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air f rom industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more of ten if air f low f rom the
heating and cooling system becomes
less than usual.The dust and pollen f ilter is located
behind the glove box. Remove the dust and pollen f ilter
cover by pushing up on the lock
tab, then pivoting up the cover.
To replace it:
Open the glove box. Remove the
hooks on the side panels by
pushingontheendof eachhook
fromtheinsideof theglovebox.
Pivot the glove box out of the way.
1. 2.
Replacement
Dust and Pollen Filt er
Maint enance
190 HOOKS
COVER
LOCK TAB
Push

Reinstall the dust and pollen f ilter
cover.
Remove the f irst f ilter by pulling it
straight out of the air conditioning
unit. Remove the second f ilter by
sliding it to the lef t, then pulling it
out.
Install the dust and pollen f ilters
into the air conditioning unit.
Make sure the ‘‘AIR FLOW’’
arrows on the f ilter point
downward. Pivot the glove box up into
position. Install the tabs back in
place.
Close the glove box.
If you are not sure how to replace
the dust and pollen f ilters, have them
replaced by your Honda dealer.
5. 6. 7.
3. 4.
Dust and Pollen Filt er
Maint enance 191
DUST AND POLLEN FILTERS