check engine HONDA CIVIC SEDAN 2000 Owner's Manual (in English)

Gauge
s

Fue l Gaug e
Thi s show s ho w muc h fue l yo u have .
I t i s mos t accurat e whe n th e ca r i s o n
leve l ground . I t ma y sho w slightl y
mor e o r les s tha n th e actua l amoun t
whe n yo u ar e drivin g o n curv y o r
hill y roads . Th
e gaug e stay s a t th e sam e fue l
leve l readin g afte r yo u tur n of f th e
ignition . Whe n yo u ad d fuel , th e
gaug e slowl y change s t o th e ne w
readin g afte r yo u tur n th e ignitio n
switc h bac k O N (II) . Temperatur
e Gaug e
Thi s show s th e temperatur e o f th e
engine' s coolant . Durin g norma l
operation , th e pointe r shoul d ris e
fro m th e botto m whit e mar k t o abou t
th e middl e o f th e gauge . I n sever e
drivin g conditions , suc h a s ver y ho t
weathe r o r a lon g perio d o f uphil l
driving , th e pointe r ma y ris e t o th e
uppe r blu e zone . I f i t reache s th e re d
(Hot ) mark , pul l safel y t o th e sid e o f
th e road . Tur n t o pag e 24 7 fo r
instruction s an d precaution s o n
checkin g th e engine' s coolin g

system .

Instrument s an d Control s

U.S
. D X an d D X Valu e Package , an d Canadia n L X an d S E
TEMPERATUR E
GAUG E TRI
P METE RSPEEDOMETE RFUEL GAUG E
ODOMETE R
MAINTENANC
E
REQUIRE D INDICATO R
TRI
P METE R
RESE T BUTTO N

Servic
e Statio n Procedure s

UPPE R MAR K
LOWE R MAR K

4 . Remov e th e dipstic k agai n an d
chec k th e level . I t shoul d b e
betwee n th e uppe r an d lowe r
marks .
I f i t i s nea r o r belo w th e lowe r mark ,
se e Addin g Oi l o n pag e 187 .
Engine Coolant Check

RESERVE

TAN K

Loo k a t th e coolan t leve l i n th e
radiato r reserv e tank . Mak e sur e it i s
betwee n th e MA X an d MI N lines . I f
i t i s belo w th e MI N line , se e Addin g
Engin e Coolan t o n pag e 19 1 fo r
informatio n o n addin g th e prope r

coolant .
Refe
r t o Owne r Maintenanc e
Check s o n pag e 18 5 fo r informatio n
o n checkin g othe r item s i n you r

Honda .

Before Drivin g

MA
X
MI N

Fue
l Econom y

Th e conditio n o f you r ca r an d you r
drivin g habit s ar e th e tw o mos t
importan t thing s tha t affec t th e fue l
mileag e yo u get .
Vehicl e Conditio n
Alway s maintai n you r ca r accordin g
t o th e maintenanc e schedule . Thi s
wil l kee p it i n to p operatin g condition .
A n importan t par t o f tha t mainte -
nanc e is th e Owne r Maintenanc e
Check s (se e pag e 185 ). Fo r
example , a n underinflate d tir e
cause s mor e "rollin g resistance, "
whic h use s fuel . I t als o wear s ou t
faster , s o chec k th e tir e pressur e a t
leas t monthly .
I n winter , th e build-u p o f sno w o n
you r car' s undersid e add s weigh t an d
rollin g resistance . Frequen t cleanin g
help s you r fue l mileag e an d reduce s
th e chanc e o f corrosion . Drivin
g Habit s
Yo u ca n improv e fue l econom y b y
drivin g moderately . Rapi d acceler -
ation , abrup t cornering , an d har d
brakin g us e mor e fuel .
Alway s driv e i n th e highes t gea r tha t
allow s th e engin e t o ru n an d acceler -
at e smoothly .
Dependin g o n traffi c conditions , tr y
t o maintai n a constan t speed . Ever y
tim e yo u slo w dow n an d spee d up ,
you r ca r use s extr a fuel . Us e th e
cruis e control , whe n appropriate , t o
increas e fue l economy . A
col d engin e use s mor e fue l tha n a
war m engine . I t i s no t necessar y t o
"warm-up " a col d engin e b y lettin g it
idl e fo r a lon g time . Yo u ca n driv e
awa y i n abou t a minute , n o matte r
ho w col d it i s outside . Th e engin e
wil l war m u p faster , an d yo u ge t
bette r fue l economy . T o cu t dow n o n
th e numbe r o f "col d starts, " tr y t o
combin e severa l shor t trip s int o one .
Th e ai r conditionin g put s a n extr a
loa d o n th e engin e whic h make s i t
us e mor e fuel . Tur n of f th e A/ C to
cu t dow n o n ai r conditionin g use .
Us e th e flow-throug h ventilatio n
whe n th e outsid e ai r temperatur e i s

moderate .

Befor e Drivin g

Automati
c Transmissio n

Shif t Loc k Releas e
Thi s allow s yo u t o mov e th e shif t
leve r ou t o f Par k i f th e norma l
metho d o f pushin g o n th e brak e
peda l an d pressin g th e releas e
butto n doe s no t work .
1 . Se t th e Parkin g brake .
2 . Remov e th e ke y fro m th e ignitio n

switch .

3 . Pu t a clot h o n th e edg e o f th e Shif t
Loc k Releas e slo t cove r nex t t o
th e shif t lever .
Us e a smal l flat-tippe d screwdrive r
o r smal l meta l plat e (neithe r ar e
include d in th e too l kit ) t o remov e
th e cover . Carefull y pr y of f th e
edg e o f th e cover . 4
. Inser t th e ke y i n th e Shif t Loc k
Releas e slot .
5 . Pus h dow n o n th e ke y whil e yo u
pres s th e releas e butto n o n th e
shif t leve r an d mov e th e shif t leve r
ou t o f Par k t o Neutral . 6
. Remov e th e ke y fro m th e Shif t
Loc k Releas e slot , the n reinstal l
th e cover . Mak e sur e th e notc h o n
th e cove r i s o n th e lef t side .
Depres s th e brak e peda l an d
restar t th e engine .
I f yo u nee d t o us e th e Shif t Loc k
Release , i t mean s you r ca r i s
developin g a problem . Hav e th e ca r
checke d b y you r Hond a dealer .

Drivin g
RELEAS
E BUTTO N
SHIF T LOC K
RELEAS E SLO T

Th
e Brakin g Syste m
Drivin g

ABS Indicator

Th e AB S is self-checking . I f anythin g
goe s wrong , th e AB S indicato r o n
th e instrumen t pane l come s o n (se e
pag e 55 ), Thi s mean s th e anti-loc k
functio n o f th e brakin g syste m ha s
shu t down . Th e brake s stil l wor k lik e
a conventiona l syste m withou t anti -
lock , providin g norma l stoppin g
ability . Yo u shoul d hav e th e deale r
inspec t you r ca r a s soo n a s possibl e
i f thi s ligh t stay s o n afte r yo u star t
th e engine , o r come s o n whil e

driving .

AB
S

INDICATOR *

*U.S . indicato r show n

I
f You r Engin e Overheat s

4 . I f th e temperatur e gaug e stay s a t
th e re d mark , tur n of f th e engine .
5 . Wai t unti l yo u se e n o mor e sign s
o f stea m or spray , the n ope n th e

hood .

6 . Loo k fo r an y obviou s coolan t leaks ,
suc h a s a spli t radiato r hose .
Everythin g is stil l extremel y hot ,
s o us e caution . I f yo u fin d a leak , i t
mus t b e repaire d befor e yo u
continu e drivin g (se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 259 ).
7 . I f yo u don' t fin d a n obviou s leak ,
chec k th e coolan t leve l i n th e
radiato r reserv e tan k (se e pag e
147 ). I f th e leve l i s belo w th e
MI N mark , ad d coolan t t o halfwa y
betwee n th e MI N an d MA X marks .
8 . I f ther e wa s n o coolan t i n th e
reserv e tank , yo u ma y als o hav e to
ad d coolan t t o th e radiator . Le t th e
engin e coo l dow n unti l th e pointe r reache
s th e middl e o f th e tempera -
tur e gauge , o r lower , befor e check -
in g th e radiator .
9 . Usin g glove s o r a larg e heav y
cloth , tur n th e radiato r ca p
counterclockwise , withou t pushin g
down , t o th e firs t stop . Thi s
release s an y remainin g pressur e in
th e coolin g system . Afte r th e
pressur e releases , pus h dow n o n
th e ca p an d tur n it unti l i t come s
off . 10.Star
t th e engin e an d se t th e
temperatur e contro l dia l t o
maximum . Ad d coolan t t o th e
radiato r u p to th e bas e o f th e fille r
neck . I f yo u d o no t hav e th e
prope r coolan t mixtur e available ,
yo u ca n ad d plai n water .
Remembe r t o hav e th e coolin g
syste m draine d an d refille d wit h
th e prope r mixtur e a s soo n a s yo u

can .

11.Pu t th e radiato r ca p bac k o n
tightly . Ru n th e engin e an d watc h
th e temperatur e gauge . I f i t goe s
bac k t o th e re d mark , th e engin e
need s repair . (Se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 25 9 .)
12.I f th e temperatur e stay s normal ,
chec k th e coolan t leve l i n th e
radiato r reserv e tank . I f i t ha s
gon e down , ad d coolan t t o th e
MA X mark . Pu t th e ca p bac k o n

tightly .

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
Removin
g th e radiato r ca p
whil e th e engin e i s ho t ca n
caus e th e coolan t t o spra y out ,
seriousl y scaldin g you .
Alway s le t th e engin e an d
radiato r coo l dow n befor e
removin g th e radiato r cap .

Malfunctio
n Indicato r Lam p

MALFUNCTIO N INDICATO R LAM P

Thi s indicato r come s o n fo r a fe w
second s whe n yo u tur n th e ignitio n

switc h O N (II) . I f i t come s o n a t an y

othe r time , i t indicate s on e o f th e

engine' s emission s contro l system s

ma y hav e a problem . Eve n thoug h

yo u ma y fee l n o differenc e in you r

car' s performance , i t ca n reduc e

you r fue l econom y an d caus e you r

ca r t o pu t ou t excessiv e emissions .

Continue d operatio n ma y caus e

seriou s damage .
I
f yo u hav e recentl y refuele d you r
car , th e caus e o f thi s indicato r
comin g o n coul d b e a loos e o r
missin g fue l fil l cap . Chec k th e ca p
an d tighte n it unti l i t click s severa l
times . Replac e th e fue l fil l ca p if i t i s
missing . Tightenin g th e ca p wil l no t
mak e th e indicato r tur n of f
immediately ; i t take s thre e drivin g

trips .

I f th e indicato r remain s o n pas t thre e
drivin g trips , o r th e fue l ca p wa s no t
loos e o r missing , hav e th e ca r
checke d b y th e deale r a s soo n a s
possible . Driv e moderatel y unti l th e
deale r ha s inspecte d th e problem .
Avoi d full-throttl e acceleratio n an d
drivin g a t hig h speed .
Yo u shoul d als o hav e th e deale r
inspec t you r ca r i f thi s indicato r
come s o n repeatedly , eve n thoug h it
ma y tur n of f a s yo u continu e driving .If you keep driving with the
malfunction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your car's emissions controls
and engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your car's warranties.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E

Inde
x

Clutc h Fluid................................... . 19 9

C O in th e Exhaust........................ . 27 0

Col d Weather , Startin g in............ . 15 7

Compac t Spare.............................. . 23 8

Consume r Information*............... . 27 4
Controls , Instrument s and............. .
51

Coolan t

Adding........................................ . 19 1

Checking.................................... .
14
7

Prope r Solution......................... . 19 1

Replacing................................... . 19 3

Temperatur e Gauge................... . 5 8

Corrosio n Protection.................... . 23 5

Crankcas e Emission s Contro l

System........................................ . 27 0

Cruis e Contro l Operation.............. . 6 6
Custome r Relation s Office.......... . 27 4
DANGER , Explanatio n of................ . i i
Dashboard................................... . 2 , 5 2
Daytim e Runnin g Lights................ . 6 1
Dea d Battery , Wha t t o Do........... . 24 5
Defects , Reportin g Safety............ . 28 0
Defo g an d Defrost.......................... . 9 5 Defogger
, Rea r Window................ . 6 4
Defrostin g th e Windows................ . 9 5
DEXRON ® II I Automati c
Transmissio n Fluid................... . 19 7
Dimensions.................................... . 26 4
Dimmin g th e Headlights............... . 6 1
Dipstic k
Automati c Transmission.......... . 19 7

Engin e Oil.................................. . 14 6

Directiona l Signals.......................... . 6 2

Disabled , Towin g You r Ca r If..... . 25 9

Dis c Brak e Wea r Indicators........ . 16 6
Disposa l o f Use d Oil..................... . 19 0
Door s
Lockin g an d Unlocking.............. . 7 1
Powe r Doo r Locks...................... . 7 2
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading.......... . 26 6
Downshifting , 5-spee d Manua l
Transmission............................. . 15 8
Driv e Belts..................................... . 21 0
Drive r an d Passenge r Safety........... . 5
Driving........................................... . 15 5
Economy.................................... . 14 8
I n Ba d Weather......................... . 17 0
I n Foreig n Countries................ . 26 9 Economy
, Fuel.............................. . 14 8
Emergencie s o n th e Road............ . 23 7
Battery , Jum p Starting............. . 24 5
Brak e Syste m Indicator............ 252
Changin g a Fla t Tire................ . 23 9
Chargin g Syste m Indicator..... . 25 0
Checkin g th e Fuses.................. . 25 5
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator..... . 24 9
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lamp... . 25 1
Manuall y Closin g Moonroof... . 25 3
Overheate d Engine.................. . 24 7
Emergenc y Brake........................... . 8 5
Emergenc y Flashers...................... . 6 4
Emergenc y Towing...................... . 25 9
Emission s Controls....................... . 27 0

Engin e

Coolan t Temperatur e Gaug e .... . 5 8
Driv e Belts................................. . 21 0
Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lamp................................ .56, 25 1
Oi l Pressur e Indicator........ . 55 , 24 9
Oil , Wha t Kin d to Use.............. . 18 7

CONTINUED

Inde
x

Maintenance.................................. . 17 3

Owne r Maintenanc e Checks... . 18 5

Record................................. .183 -
184

Require d Indicator...................... .
5
9

Safety.......................................... . 17 4

Schedule............................. .178 -

182

Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lamp.
. 56 , 25 1

Manua l Transmission................... . 15 8

Manua l Transmissio n Flui d ........ . 19 8

Meters , Gauges............................... . 5 7

Methano l i n Gasoline................... . 26 8

Mirrors , Adjusting.......................... . 8 3

Moonroof......................................... . 8 3

Closin g Manually...................... . 25 3

Operation..................................... . 8 3

Neutra l Gea r Position................... . 16 2

Ne w Vehicl e Break-i n .................. . 14 2

Norma l Shif t Speeds..................... . 15 9

NOTICE , Explanatio n of................... .

i

Numbers, Identification............... .
26
2
Octan
e Requirement , Gasoline... . 14 2
Odometer......................................... . 5 7

Odometer , Trip............................... . 5 7

Oi l

Change , Ho w to ........................ . 18 9

Change , Whe n to...................... . 17 8

Checkin g Engine...................... . 14 6
Pressur e Indicator.............. . 55 , 24 9
Selectin g Prope r Viscosit y
Chart...................................... . 18 8
O N (Ignitio n Ke y Position)........... . 7 1
Onboar d Refuelin g Vapo r
Recovery.................................... . 27 0
Openin g th e Hood........................ . 14 4
Openin g th e Trunk......................... . 7 6
Operatio n in Foreig n Countries.. . 26 9
Outsid e Mirrors.............................. . 8 3
Overheating , Engine.................... . 24 7
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 18 5
Oxygenate d Fuels......................... . 26 8

Pain t Touch-up.............................. . 23 3
Pane
l Brightnes s Control.............. . 6 2

Par k Gea r Position........................ . 16 1

Parking........................................... . 16 5

Parkin g Brake................................. . 8 5

Parkin g Lights................................. . 6 1

Parkin g Ove r Thing s tha t Burn.. . 27 2

PGM-F I System............................. . 27 1

Polishin g an d Waxing.................. . 23 3

Powe r

Doo r Locks.................................. . 7 2

Mirrors......................................... . 8 4

Steering...................................... . 20 0

Windows...................................... . 8 1

Pre-Driv e Safet y Checklist............ . 1 1
Pregnancy , Usin g Sea t Belts......... . 1 9

Protectin g Adults............................ . 1 2

Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 1 9
Advic e fo r Pregnan t Women..... . 1 9

Protectin g Children........................ . 2 1

Protectin g Infants....................... . 2 9

Protectin g Large r Children....... . 3 7

Protectin g Smal l Children......... . 3 3

Usin g Chil d Seat s wit h

Tethers..................................... . 4 0

Inde
x

Sno w Tires..................................... . 21 6

Solvent-typ e Cleaners................... . 23 2

Soun d System.................. .
98, 107, 121

Spar e Tir e

Inflating...................................... .
23
8

Specifications............................ . 26 5

Spar k Plugs , Replacing................ . 20 3

Specification s Charts.................... . 26 4

Spee d Control.................................. . 6 6

Speedometer................................... . 5 7

Spotlights......................................... . 8 8

SRS , Additiona l Information.......... . 4 5

Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 4 8

Ho w th e SR S Indicato r

Works....................................... . 4 7

Ho w You r Airbag s Work........... . 4 5

SR S Components........................ . 4 5

SR S Service.................................. . 4 7

SR S Indicator............................. . 47 , 5 5

STAR T (Ignitio n Ke y Position).... . 7 1

Startin g th e Engine....................... . 15 7

I n Col d Weathe r a t Hig h

Altitude.................................. . 15 7

Wit h a Dea d Batter y ................ . 24 5

Stea m Comin g fro m Engine........ . 24 7
Steerin
g Whee l

Adjustment.................................. . 6 5
Anti-thef t Colum n Lock............. . 7 0
Stere o Soun d System..... .

98, 107, 121

Storin g You r
Car...........................
. 22 9
Supplementa l Restrain t
System.................................. . 9 , 4 5
Servicing...................................... . 4 7

SR S Indicator......................... . 47 , 5 5

Syste m Components................... . 4 5

Syntheti c Oil.................................. . 18 8

Tachometer..................................... . 5 7

Taillights , Changin g

Bulb s in.............................. . 223 , 22 4

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d .. 23 7

Tap e Player................... .

102, 113, 135

Technica l Description s

DO T
Tir
e Qualit y Grading...... . 26 6
Drivin g in Foreig n Countries.. . 26 9

Emission s Contro l Systems..... . 27 0

Oxygenate d Fuels..................... . 26 8

Thre e Wa y Catalyti c

Converter............................... . 27 2
Temperatur
e Gauge....................... . 5 8
Tethe r Anchorag e Points.............. . 4 0
Thef t Protection............................ . 13 9
Thre e Wa y Catalyti c Converter.. . 27 2
Time , Settin g the.......... .

101, 112, 126

Timin g Belt.................................... .
21
0
Tir e Chains.................................... . 21 7
Tire , Ho w to Chang e a Flat......... . 23 9

Tires................................................ 211

Ai r Pressure.............................. . 21 1

Checkin g Wear......................... . 21 3

Compac t Spare.......................... . 23 8
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading...... . 26 6
Inflation...................................... . 21 1
Inspection.................................. . 21 3
Maintenance.............................. . 21 3
Replacing................................... . 21 5
Rotating...................................... . 21 4

Snow........................................... . 21 6

Specifications............................ . 26 5
Tir e Chains................................ . 21 7
Technica l Information.................. . 26 1
Tools , Tir e Changing................... . 23 9
Towin g
A Trailer..................................... . 17 1
Emergenc y Wrecker................ . 25 9